A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Glass Used in Display Case Manufacturing

Choosing the Right Glass for Display Cases

Selecting the right glass is essential for visibility, security, safety, and preservation. Not all display glass is the same. Its composition, thickness, coatings, and performance characteristics must be matched to the display environment and the level of protection needed.

This guide outlines the most common types of glass used in display case manufacturing, from basic float glass to high-security and conservation-grade glazing.

Standard Float Glass

Float glass is the most common glazing for basic retail and residential display cases.

Typical Thicknesses

  • 4 mm
  • 6 mm
  • 8 mm

Pros

  • Excellent optical clarity
  • Affordable and widely available
  • Available in multiple thicknesses
  • Suitable for low-risk environments

Cons

  • Breaks into sharp shards
  • No resistance to forced entry
  • Minimal UV protection unless coated

Best used for: Low-value merchandise and decorative or residential displays.

Tempered (Toughened) Glass

Tempered glass is heat-treated for strength and improved safety.

Typical Thicknesses

  • 6–12 mm

Pros

  • Breaks into blunt fragments
  • Stronger than float glass
  • Suitable for high-traffic retail environments
  • Often required for safety regulations

Cons

  • Still breakable with force
  • Limited security performance
  • Minimal UV protection unless coated

Best used for: Retail cases where safety is important but contents are not extremely high-value.

Laminated Safety Glass

Laminated glass uses two or more panes bonded with a PVB or SGP interlayer.

Typical Thicknesses

  • 8.8 mm
  • 10.8 mm
  • 12.8 mm+

Pros

  • Shards remain adhered if broken
  • Higher security than tempered glass
  • Can incorporate UV-blocking interlayers
  • Offers acoustic dampening
  • Harder to penetrate, delaying forced entry

Cons

  • More expensive
  • Heavier, requiring stronger frames

Best used for: Mid- to high-value retail displays and museums needing moderate security.

Museum-Grade Low-Iron Laminated Glass

This type of glazing focuses on clarity and preservation.

Key Features

  • Low-iron glass removes green tint for accurate colour
  • UV-filtering interlayers block up to 99% UV
  • Optional anti-reflective coatings reduce glare
  • Improved safety and security from laminated construction

Typical Thickness

  • 8–12 mm

Best used for: Artefacts, artworks, textiles, and archival materials.

Anti-Bandit (Attack-Resistant) Glass

Anti-bandit glass is designed to resist sustained physical attack.

Features

  • Multiple laminated layers
  • Certified to EN 356 (P6B–P8B)
  • Resists hammers, crowbars, and blunt-force tools

Pros

  • Very difficult to penetrate
  • Good visibility
  • Provides valuable time delay

Cons

  • Higher cost
  • Heavy, requiring reinforced structures

Best used for: Jewellery, watches, electronics, and other high-value public-facing environments.

Bullet-Resistant Glass

Bullet-resistant glazing combines multiple layers of glass and polycarbonate to absorb ballistic impact.

Typical Thicknesses

  • 24 mm to 70 mm+

Features

  • Certified to UL 752 or EN 1063
  • Stops handgun or rifle threats depending on rating
  • Available with low-iron clarity

Pros

  • Highest impact resistance
  • Excellent visibility
  • Effective energy dispersion

Cons

  • Very heavy
  • Expensive
  • Not needed in most museum or retail environments

Best used for: High-security museums and government collections.

UV-Protective Glass and Coatings

UV exposure can fade textiles, paper, pigments, and organic materials.

Common Options

  • Laminated glass with UV-blocking interlayers
  • Low-E coatings offering partial UV reduction
  • Museum coatings blocking 96–99% of UV while reducing glare

Best used for: Museums, archives, and sensitive retail displays.

Which Glass Is Best for Security?

Security levels from lowest to highest:

  • Float glass
  • Tempered glass
  • Laminated glass
  • Anti-bandit laminated glass
  • Bullet-resistant glass

Which Glass Is Best for Museums?

  • Low-iron laminated glass
  • UV-blocking interlayers
  • Anti-reflective coatings

Conclusion

Choosing the right glass involves balancing visibility, security, safety, cost, and conservation needs. Modern glazing technology allows display cases to be tailored precisely to the environment and the value of the objects being protected.