Laminated Glass: PVB vs SGP Interlayer Selection

Choosing a Laminated Glass Interlayer

Laminated glass bonds two or more glass plies to a plastic interlayer so that, if the glass breaks, the fragments stay bonded to the interlayer instead of falling away. That safety and retention behaviour makes it the standard for overhead glazing, balustrades, facades and security applications. But the interlayer you pick changes the performance significantly. This guide helps specifiers choose between PVB and SGP, and notes when EVA, decorative film or wire mesh make sense.

PVB laminated glass

PVB (polyvinyl butyral) is the most widely used interlayer. It is cost-effective, well proven, and offers good acoustic damping and UV screening. For most windows, facades, partitions and standard balustrades, PVB laminated glass is the default choice. It bonds reliably across a wide range of glass combinations and is available in clear and tinted forms.

SGP laminated glass

SGP (ionoplast) is a stiffer, stronger interlayer. Compared with PVB it retains much more of the laminate’s structural stiffness after breakage and resists edge delamination and moisture better. That makes SGP the choice for structural glass — long-span balustrades, glass floors and walkways, canopies, and open-edge or exposed applications where post-breakage rigidity matters. It typically carries a higher material cost than PVB, so it is specified where the structural or exposure demand justifies it.

PVB vs SGP at a glance

Factor	PVB	SGP
Relative cost	lower	higher
Post-breakage stiffness	moderate	high
Structural / open-edge use	standard glazing	preferred
Acoustic damping	good	good
Moisture / edge stability	good	excellent

Other interlayers we offer

Beyond PVB and SGP, laminated glass can be built with:

EVA — a versatile interlayer that encapsulates decorative inserts well and tolerates humid environments.
Decorative film — for colour, pattern, privacy or branding bonded permanently inside the laminate.
Wire mesh — metal mesh suspended in the interlayer for a distinctive architectural look.

Laminated glass specifications

Spec	Value
Single ply thickness	3–25 mm
Max size	2850 × 6000 mm
Interlayers	PVB, SGP, EVA, decorative film, wire mesh
Standards	AS/NZS 2208, ASTM C1172-14, EN 14449:2005, GB 15763.3

Typical applications include office towers and landmark facades, underwater viewing panels, glass walkways, balustrades, and bank or bullet-resistant windows. Each ply can be built from flat tempered glass for strength and a safe break pattern.

How to specify

Start from the duty. Standard glazing and partitions → PVB. Structural, open-edge, floor or walkway → SGP.
Set the plies and total thickness to match span and load; each ply can be annealed, heat-strengthened or toughened depending on the safety requirement.
Decide on decoration early — decorative film, EVA-encapsulated inserts or wire mesh all affect the build.
Name the standard your project calls for (AS/NZS 2208, ASTM C1172-14, EN 14449 or GB 15763.3); our laminated glass is produced to these.
Plan logistics — lead time 7–15 working days, MOQ 50 m², 10-year warranty, quoted EXW/FOB.

See the full laminated glass product page for the complete build options, then send us your enquiry with your interlayer preference, dimensions and quantity and we will quote EXW or FOB.

Sources

Client product catalogue / knowledge base (laminated glass specs, interlayer options, standards and applications)
Client knowledge base (lead time, MOQ, warranty, Incoterms)

Laminated glass manufacturer — custom PVB/SGP safety glass