Glass thickness: weight per m² and recommended thickness

Laminated glass consists of two sheets of glass bonded together by plastic safety interlayers. In "88.2", the first two figures give the thickness of each sheet (8 mm + 8 mm) and the last figure the number of interlayers (2 interlayers of 0.38 mm). If it breaks, the pieces remain stuck to the interlayer: it is the glass used for balustrades, floors and anti-fall glazing. You will find all the compositions in the toughened laminated glass configurator.

For a glass splashback or a cooker hood splashback, the standard thickness is 6 mm: toughened glass withstands heat and impacts, and its smooth surface wipes clean in seconds.

Back-painted glass is suitable behind an induction, ceramic or electric hob, and anywhere else in the kitchen. Behind a gas hob, leave 12 to 15 cm between the glass and the edge of the largest pan; if there is less space, choose enamelled glass, whose colour is fired into the glass and can withstand the flame.

An enamelled glass worktop can be ordered in 12 or 15 mm. Internal cut-outs allow you to fit a hob, an inset or undermount sink and a mixer tap; make sure you use suitable seals.

With an undermount sink, the sink must rest on a support or on battens: the adhesive only provides a watertight seal.

The thickness of a glass top depends mainly on how it is supported:

• 6 mm to protect a piece of furniture or a solid table;
• 8 mm on an open-frame table that supports the glass well;
• 10 mm on a base with a few crossbars;
• 10 or 12 mm for a desk on trestles or legs: 10 mm up to 1.20 m long, 12 mm beyond.

Choose rounded or clipped corners for extra safety. For a coloured top, enamelled glass can be used indoors as well as outdoors. See also our table top, desk top and glass tops pages.

For a small glass shelf above a washbasin, 4 to 6 mm is enough. For a shelf that holds books or crockery, allow 8 mm up to 50 cm long, 10 mm from 50 cm to 1 m and 12 mm beyond 1 m.

The recommendations below apply to a stove weighing up to 300 kg. The thickness of the glass hearth plate depends on the weight of the stove and its base:

• stove under 150 kg: 6 mm with a solid base, 8 mm on legs;
• stove from 150 to 300 kg: 8 mm with a solid base, 10 mm on legs.

Shower screen and bath screen: 8 mm toughened glass is the standard, in clear or low-iron, with an optional anti-limescale treatment. Configure your made-to-measure shower screen.

Display cabinet door: 6 mm toughened glass.

Interior glass partition: 4 to 8 mm toughened glass, or our glass partition kits supplied with their 8 mm glazing.

Balustrade: toughened laminated glass is essential. Standards NF P01-012 (balustrade dimensions) and NF P08-301 (strength tests) govern its choice and installation: generally 88.4 for a home and 1010.4 for a building open to the public.