Technical Overview of Glazing Types Used in Display Case Manufacturing

Understanding glazing types used in display case manufacturing

Choosing the right glazing for a display case is an important engineering decision. It affects strength, appearance, conservation performance, and security. While standard tempered panes are still common in retail settings, museum-grade and high-security displays need more advanced, multi-layered glazing systems designed to meet strict performance standards.

This overview explains the main glazing types used in display case manufacturing, their recommended thicknesses, performance characteristics, and where each type is most appropriate.

Float (annealed) glass

Float glass is produced by floating molten glass on a tin bath to achieve a flat, even surface.

Typical thicknesses

  • 3–8 mm for lightweight and general retail displays
  • 10 mm and above are rarely used due to weight and low safety performance

Key characteristics

  • Modulus of rupture of around 45 MPa
  • No strengthening after production
  • Breaks into large, sharp pieces
  • UV protection typically between 25 and 40 per cent

Best for: Low-risk applications where safety, security, and conservation are not priorities.

Thermally tempered glass

Tempered glass is created by heating annealed glass to around 620°C and rapidly cooling it to introduce surface compression.

Typical thicknesses

  • 6, 8, 10 and 12 mm

Key characteristics

  • Surface compressive stress above 90 MPa
  • Four to five times stronger than float glass
  • Breaks into small, cuboid fragments in line with EN 12150
  • Limited protection against focused forced entry
  • No built-in UV filtration

Best for: Retail environments needing safety compliance but not higher-level security or conservation control.

Laminated safety glass (PVB or SGP interlayers)

Laminated glass bonds two or more panes using polymer interlayers such as PVB or SGP.

Common make-ups

  • 6.4 mm (3 mm + 0.4 mm interlayer + 3 mm)
  • 8.8 mm (4 mm + 0.8 mm interlayer + 4 mm)
  • 10.8 mm, 12.8 mm and thicker

Key characteristics

  • Remains intact after breakage thanks to interlayer adhesion
  • SGP offers around five times the stiffness of PVB
  • UV filtration up to 99 per cent with suitable interlayers
  • Improved acoustic performance
  • Compliant with EN 14449

Best for: Jewellery displays, high-value retail, and museum applications needing UV protection, security, and structural stability.

Low-iron museum-grade laminated glass

Museum-grade glazing optimises both appearance and conservation performance.

Typical features

  • Low-iron substrates to remove the green edge tint
  • Anti-reflective coatings reducing reflectance to below 1 per cent per surface
  • UV-blocking interlayers achieving at least 98 per cent filtration between 300 and 380 nm
  • Laminated construction suitable for large panels

Best for: High-value artefacts and installations requiring excellent clarity, colour accuracy, and UV protection.

Anti-bandit (attack-resistant) glass

Anti-bandit glass is a multi-layer laminated system certified to EN 356 for manual attack resistance.

Key characteristics

  • P6B withstands around 30–50 strikes
  • P8B withstands 70 or more strikes
  • High residual strength after initial damage
  • Designed to slow or prevent forced entry

Best for: High-risk retail and museum environments where strong anti-theft protection is essential.

Bullet-resistant glass

Bullet-resistant glazing uses layers of glass and polycarbonate bonded with polyurethane, tested to EN 1063 or UL 752.

Key characteristics

  • Total thickness typically between 24 mm and over 80 mm
  • Absorbs ballistic energy through controlled delamination
  • Very strong forced-entry resistance after impact
  • High weight requiring robust engineering

Best for: High-security museums, government buildings, and installations requiring ballistic protection.

UV-protective coatings and specialist films

UV protection is essential in conservation due to cumulative light damage.

Key metrics

  • Standard float glass: around 38 per cent UV filtration
  • Laminated glass with UV interlayer: up to 99 per cent
  • Museum-grade AR and UV coatings: typically 96–99 per cent
  • Low-E coatings offer only partial UV reduction

Technical considerations

  • Avoid coatings that significantly reduce visible light transmission
  • Check compatibility with the case microclimate
  • Confirm long-term stability and off-gassing behaviour

Security performance summary

  • Float glass offers minimal protection
  • Tempered glass improves safety but not security
  • Laminated systems provide moderate to high protection
  • Anti-bandit glass delivers strong attack resistance
  • Ballistic glazing provides the highest level of protection

Choosing the right glazing

There is no single glazing solution that fits every project. Optimal performance depends on security needs, conservation requirements, structural considerations, optical quality, and budget. For museum and high-security installations, professional advice is strongly recommended during specification. Specialist guidance helps ensure the right balance between protection, practicality, and long-term performance.