Display Cases

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

4 min read 28 January 2026 By Access Displays

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

Glass Type Explorer
Select a glass type below to compare specs, pros, cons and best uses.

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

Typical Thicknesses
4 mm6 mm8 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 forLow-value merchandise and decorative or residential displays.

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 forRetail cases where safety is important but contents are not extremely high-value.

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

Typical Thicknesses
8.8 mm10.8 mm12.8 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 forMid- to high-value retail displays and museums needing moderate security.

This type of glazing focuses on clarity and preservation.

Typical Thickness
8–12 mm
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
Best used forArtefacts, artworks, textiles, and archival materials.

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

Key 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 forJewellery, watches, electronics, and other high-value public-facing environments.

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

Typical Thicknesses
24 mm70 mm+
Certifications
  • UL 752
  • EN 1063
Pros
  • Highest impact resistance
  • Excellent visibility
  • Effective energy dispersion
  • Stops handgun or rifle threats depending on rating
Cons
  • Very heavy
  • Expensive
  • Not needed in most museum or retail environments
Best used forHigh-security museums and government collections.

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 forMuseums, archives, and sensitive retail displays.
Security Level Comparison — Lowest to Highest
Float
Tempered
Laminated
Anti-Bandit
Bullet-Resistant
Which Glass Is Best for Museums?
Low-iron laminated glass UV-blocking interlayers Anti-reflective coatings

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. 

About Access Displays

Founded in 1990, Access Displays is an award-winning exhibition and display specialist based in Swindon, UK. The company provides modular and bespoke exhibition stands, portable displays, museum showcases, graphics, and project management services for clients across the UK and worldwide. Known for quality, innovation, and exceptional customer service, Access Displays has delivered projects for four Olympic Games and supported hundreds of national and regional museums.

For more information, visit www.accessdisplays.co.uk.