Spec guide
PAS 24 glass: what goes into a secure door's glazing
Short answer
PAS 24 is a test of the whole door set, not a type of glass, so there is no such thing as PAS 24 glass on its own. The glass has to be part of what passed the test, which in practice means laminated glass on the outer pane of the sealed unit, fitted with internal beading and a secure glazing system. Toughened glass is still used as the safety layer where required.
Why the glass is part of the door test
PAS 24 attacks a complete door set: frame, slab, lock, hinges and glazing together. Testers try to break or remove the glass and reach the lock. A door with a strong lock but weak glazing fails, so the glass and the way it is held are as important as the cylinder. When a door is sold as PAS 24, the glazed version has to match what was tested.
Laminated and toughened: what each does
| Laminated | Two panes bonded to a plastic interlayer; cracks but stays in one piece, resisting a break in |
|---|---|
| Toughened | Heat treated; breaks into small blunt pieces, protecting against injury |
Where safety glass is required
Building Regulations require safety glass in critical locations, which include glazing in and beside doors within 1500mm of the floor, and low level glazing in windows within 800mm of the floor. Toughened or laminated glass both meet the safety requirement. For security, laminated glass on the outside pane is what slows a break in, which is why secure door units commonly combine the two.
How the glass is held in
Glazing beads on a secure door sit on the inside, so the glass cannot be unclipped from the street. Many systems also bond or tape the unit to the frame. On composite doors the glass sits in a cassette that is fixed through the slab. When you look at a door, check which side the beads are on; if they are outside, ask how the unit is secured.
What this means when you choose a door
Decorative glass, obscure glass and side panels can all be part of a secure door, provided the specification matches the tested design. Our composite doors are PAS 24 tested with TS007 3 star cylinders as standard, and the glazed options we offer are within that specification. If you want a large glazed panel for light, ask us to confirm the glass make up on the written quote.
Common questions
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