What is the Difference Between Greenhouse Glasses?
We offer two glass options for some of our greenhouse models. Certain ranges, like the Elite Titan or Juliana Premium, come with full-sheet toughened safety glass as standard. However, on other models, you can choose between horticultural glass or toughened safety glass. But what exactly does this mean, and how do the two types differ?
The primary differences between horticultural glass and toughened safety glass lie in their strength, safety features, and suitability for various greenhouse applications.
Horticultural glass is the traditional, standard glass used in greenhouses. It’s untreated and relatively fragile, making it prone to breakage from impacts like footballs, lawnmower stones, or garden debris. When it breaks, horticultural glass shatters into large, sharp shards, which can pose a safety risk – especially in homes with children or pets. However, if this isn’t a top concern for your environment, horticultural glass is a more budget-friendly option. It’s ideal for smaller greenhouses or areas where breakage risks are minimal.
Toughened safety glass (also known as tempered glass), is standard glass that has undergone a heating and rapid cooling process to significantly increase its strength. It is around four to five times stronger than horticultural glass, making it much more resistant to impacts. This durability is ideal for greenhouses in high-traffic areas, or regions with extreme weather conditions (i.e. coastal areas). While it’s generally more expensive, its durability and safety make it a sound investment.
The key difference (and the most important) lies in how it breaks. Unlike horticultural glass, toughened safety glass ‘pops’ and shatters when it breaks and the entire pane of glass breaks into (what feels like) thousands of tiny, blunt fragments, rather than sharp shards. Though the cleanup can be tedious, especially if it breaks inside the greenhouse, it is much safer and significantly reduces the risk of injury.
The pictures show the two types of glass. You can see the horticultural glass has broken into larger, sharp pieces – which is as you would expect glass to break. You can also see the remains of the toughened safety glass, the difference in the size and why it is the safest option. If a pane smashed, it would likely cause frustration and a heck of a mess, but it is very unlikely you would be injured.
On lean-to greenhouses, we are very clear that any greenhouse which is being built over a doorway MUST be toughened safety glass. We will not knowingly sell a lean-to greenhouse in horticultural glass if it’s being installed over a door.
For all greenhouse sales, if you have children or pets, we always recommend the full sheet toughened safety glass.

Broken Toughened Safety Glass

Broken Horticultural Glass