Frequently Asked Questions

Low-E laminated glass has a coating that helps keep heat inside while still allowing natural light through.

Low-iron laminated glass has less iron in the mix, which gives it a clearer appearance. It is often chosen for premium glazing, floors, and statement features.

Laminated glass can be ordered directly from SGP. Units are made to your requirements and delivered across the UK. Visit our factory page to find out more about capabilities.

Yes, SGP uses interlayers that cope well with weather changes and sunlight.

Acoustic interlayers can help reduce noise levels. SGP can recommend suitable options for places that need extra sound control.

Laminated glass often shows a thin line between the layers when you look at the edge. It can also sound different from a single piece of glass when tapped. If you need confirmation, SGP can check it for you.

The glass may crack, but the pieces stay held by the interlayer. This helps reduce injury and keeps the opening secure until the unit can be replaced.

Laminated glass is used in floors, roofs, balustrades, façades, doors, and security glazing. SGP supplies laminated units for homes, public buildings, and commercial projects.

It looks like standard glazing but has a thin interlayer inside the unit. The edges can show a slight line where the layers meet. Tinted and decorative options are also available. We also offer coloured and decorative finishes if you want something with more character or shading.

Sheets of glass are bonded with a clear or tinted interlayer under heat and pressure. SGP manufactures laminated units in a wide range of thicknesses for different project needs.

 Laminated glass is made from two or more sheets bonded with an interlayer. The layers stay together if the glass breaks, which improves safety.

All balustrade glass is produced to suit your specifications. You can choose the size, thickness, style, and finish. Curved options are available, and our Easy-Clean coating can be added if you want simpler maintenance.

Yes, we supply a choice of finishes such as frosted, tinted, sandblasted, and ceramic-printed glass, which can help create subtle or more defined levels of privacy.

Yes. Our balustrade glass is suitable for both. It is made to handle everyday use inside a building as well as more demanding outdoor environments.

SGP produces toughened and laminated glass for balustrades. Curved options are available, along with finishes such as tinting, sandblasting, mirroring, ceramic printing, and Easy Clean coatings. View our balustrade glass capabilities here.

While standard toughened glass is designed to be four to five times stronger than regular float glass, toughened laminated glass adds an extra layer of security. It combines two or more sheets of toughened glass with an interlayer, meaning even if the glass is damaged, the interlayer holds it together. This reduces the risk of injury, increases resistance to impact, and makes it much harder to penetrate, which is ideal for applications where safety and security are critical.

Common applications for toughened, laminated glass include windows, balustrades, skylights, facades, and areas where impact resistance and structural integrity are crucial. Glass flooring also looks visually appealing and stands the test of time when made from toughened and laminated glass. If you’re ready to choose glass that doesn’t just look great but lasts, whatever your oversized glazing specification, we have the solution. Explore the different glass applications here.

Toughened glass is several times stronger than standard glass of the same thickness, and can withstand stronger impact and greater temperature changes.

Holes cannot be added after toughening. They must be planned at the start and machined before the toughening process. SGP can include any required holes or cutouts during production.

The glass is heated in a furnace and then cooled quickly with air. This process strengthens the glass. SGP uses specialist equipment to produce toughened units with a consistent finish.

No. Toughened glass cannot be drilled once it is finished. Holes must be added before the glass goes into the furnace. SGP can produce glass with the holes already included.

Toughened glass is safety glass that has been heated and cooled in a controlled way to increase its strength. It is stronger than standard glass and breaks into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards.

While standard toughened glass is designed to be four to five times stronger than regular float glass, toughened laminated glass adds an extra layer of security. It combines two or more sheets of toughened glass with an interlayer, meaning even if the glass is damaged, the interlayer holds it together. This reduces the risk of injury, increases resistance to impact, and makes it much harder to penetrate, which is ideal for applications where safety and security are critical.

Common applications for toughened, laminated glass include windows, balustrades, skylights, facades, and areas where impact resistance and structural integrity are crucial. Glass flooring also looks visually appealing and stands the test of time when made from toughened and laminated glass. If you’re ready to choose glass that doesn’t just look great but lasts, whatever your oversized glazing specification, we have the solution. Explore the different glass applications here.

Curved glass can be used indoors or outdoors. It is made to suit the conditions it will face, including weather exposure and safety needs.

SGP manufactures toughened, laminated, and toughened laminated curved glass. Clear, tinted, mirrored, sandblasted, and printed finishes are all available. Visit our curved glass page to find out more about our offerings.

Read the benefits of curved glass for retail shopfronts.

The glass is heated in a specialist furnace until it becomes flexible. It is then shaped over a mould and cooled in a controlled way. SGP uses advanced bending equipment to achieve accurate curves and clean finishes.

Yes, SGP produces curved laminated glass for feature glazing, façades, and balustrades.

The fire-resistant performance of glass depends not only on the glass itself but also on the following:

• The frame
• Its glazing method
• The glass itself

Incorrect glazing materials or frame compositions can compromise the integrity of fire rated double glazed units, allowing hot gases and smoke to pass through, thereby rendering the fire glazing ineffective. To achieve the desired levels of protection, we ensure glazing is always installed correctly. We also offer nationwide delivery from our dedicated Huddersfield glass manufacturing factory.

Fire rated glass is suitable for use in commercial premises, residential properties, and other public spaces.Fire rated glass or fire rated glazing can be used in both internal and external doors to control the spread of fire. It’s also perfect for glass partitions, maintaining natural light while offering excellent fire protection. Elsewhere, fireproof glass can be used for external windows.

A glass coating is a layer applied to the surface to change how the glass performs. Coatings can improve clarity, reduce glare, block UV light, improve insulation, or make the glass easier to clean. SGP offers several coating options during production.

Anti-reflective coating is a thin layer added to glass to cut down reflections and glare. It helps improve visibility and clarity. It is often used in displays, shopfronts, and museum cases. SGP can supply glass with this type of coating.

Bespoke glass is glass made to your own design rather than a standard size. This includes custom measurements, shapes, finishes, coatings, and curved units. SGP produces made-to-measure panels for floors, roofs, doors, and balustrades. Get in touch with our team to discuss your bespoke glass project.

We primarily supply processed glass to fabricators, installers, and contractors. If you need installation, we can recommend trusted partners.

On very rare occasions, toughened glass can break spontaneously, without any applied load. This is due to small Nickel Sulphide inclusions that may be present in all float glasses. These breakages can occur months or even years after. Carrying out heat soak testing on the glass can reduce the risk of spontaneous breakage; however, this is not 100% guaranteed. Any spontaneous breakages are not covered by the SGP warranty. 

When handling the glass, ensure that precautions are taken to handle it safely. You should also use suitable gloves and protective equipment as required. Care must be taken to ensure the glass is not impacted by any objects whilst being carried, particularly on the edges, which are most vulnerable.

Our glass products meet or exceed BS EN standards for safety, quality, and performance (including BS EN 12150 for toughened glass and BS EN 14449 for laminated glass).

Lead times are given in good faith, but failures and/or breakages can sometimes occur during glass bending. This means the delivery dates we indicate may change. If this is the case, we will let you know in good time to ensure you still have the best chance possible of meeting your project deadline. Lead-times can also vary depending on type and size of glass, complexity (cut outs, bends & lamination), quantity & finishing requirements. Typical turnaround 5-15 working days, but urgent projects may be accommodated on request.