People drop twenty grand on a kitchen extension.
They put massive glass doors on the back. Then they start worrying about burglars. A huge pane of glass looks like an easy target.
It all depends on the glass.
The Brick Test
Someone takes a brick to your back door. What happens next? That is the only question that matters.
Standard glass is illegal in doors anyway. You have two choices for big sliders and bifolds: Toughened or Laminated.
They react completely differently to being hit.
Toughened Glass
Toughened glass is strong. It takes a massive hit to break it.
But when it finally goes, it shatters completely. It explodes into thousands of tiny square cubes.
It is perfectly safe. Nobody gets cut. But there is now a massive hole in your house. The burglar steps through the frame and walks straight in.
Laminated Glass
Laminated is built for security. It works exactly like a car windscreen.
There is a clear layer sandwiched inside the glass. You hit it with a brick, it cracks. You hit it with a hammer, it webs out.
But it stays in the frame.
It holds together completely. The burglar is left standing outside looking at a cracked door. They can’t get their hand through to turn the key. They usually panic and run.
The Verdict
Toughened is the legal minimum. It stops your kids getting hurt if they fall against it.
Laminated is for pure security. It keeps people out.
For a ground-floor extension backing onto a dark garden, pay the extra for Laminated. It buys you absolute peace of mind.
Come down to 78 Alma Road. We have samples of both. We can show you exactly how the laminated layer works or give us a call on 01202 533126.
