Laminated safety glass (VSG) and tempered glass vs. Decormat. At Barański, we prioritize quality and safety!

Glass is one of the key elements of modern design. Several factors contribute to the popularity of this material. Glazed surfaces make a space appear larger, enhance its aesthetic appeal, and increase the amount of natural light in rooms—which is especially valuable in our latitude, where sunlight is not particularly abundant. Solutions like these blur the line between the building and the outdoor space, creating a particularly attractive effect in homes surrounded by greenery.

 

The popularity of glass surfaces is also reflected in trends related to door design—both interior and exterior. When choosing from the options available on the market, however, it’s important to pay attention to quality. Some glazing options may seem tempting in terms of price, yet turn out to be subpar in terms of materials and construction. And low-quality glass not only affects the overall durability of the door but can also compromise the safety of household members.

 

Decormat – a solution best avoided

One popular option is Decormat—a versatile frosted glass. It resembles milk glass or sandblasted glass, though it is manufactured using a different technology. The main advantage of Decormat is its low price. Unfortunately, this does not compensate for the drawbacks characteristic of this product category. One of these is the difficulty in maintaining it. On one hand, Decormat is smooth, but on the other, it is porous and matte. This type of surface is difficult to clean; moreover, it often reacts with cleaning agents, which can leave unsightly marks.

 

An even greater drawback of Decormat is its low durability. As a result, it is not suitable for use in large panes, as it can break relatively easily and cause serious injury to household members. This type of glass poses a particular risk to small children, who can easily break the glass while playing carelessly.

 

At Barański, we prioritize high-quality glazing for our doors

At Barański, we always strive to help our customers choose the most optimal solutions. We advise against not only low-quality materials and technologies, but above all those whose use poses a threat to health or property. That is why we do not install Decormat in our doors; instead, we use only glazing that meets high quality and safety standards.

 

In doors from the Optimo collection—a popular choice among customers seeking high quality at an affordable price—we use two main types of glass: 6- and 8-mm-thick laminated safety glass (VSG) and 8-mm-thick tempered glass.

 

 

 

Glass that’s safe for your household: 6-mm VSG, 8-mm VSG, and 8-mm tempered glass

VSG is what’s known as safety glass. It consists of laminated panes, meaning layers bonded together. The panes that make up VSG are protected by a highly durable layer of special film. As a result, if the glass breaks, it does not shatter but cracks, forming a characteristic spiderweb pattern, and remains in place within the door frame. This solution is incomparably safer than Decormat—if VSG breaks, there is virtually no risk of injury. Additionally, VSG glass is smooth on both sides, making it easier to maintain and clean than Decormat.

 

The most popular VSG option is 6-mm-thick glass, which is available in most models, including those from the Optimo collection. It consists of two separate panes, each 3 mm thick, separated by a film that not only protects the structure but also gives it an attractive tint (a clear option is also available). Barański offers laminated safety glass (VSG) in four color options:

• clear,
• frosted,
• black,
• graphite (for select door models).

The 8-millimeter VSG is constructed similarly to the 6-millimeter VSG. The difference lies in the specifications of the “component” panes—each of the two panes is 4 mm thick. The 8-mm VSG is designed for the STYL line. The product is available in three colors:

• clear,
• milky,
• black.

 

8 mm tempered glass—durable and safe

An even safer option is 8 mm thick tempered glass. This glass—as the name suggests—has been specially tempered (strengthened) through a process of heating and rapid cooling. What makes this glass unique is not only its exceptional durability but also how it behaves when broken. When struck, it shatters into small, granular pieces that cannot cause injury—unlike the shards produced when ordinary glass breaks. Barański’s 8 mm tempered glass is designed for doors from the GLASS line and is available in clear and smoked graphite (translucent) variants.

 

Sandblasting, decorations, frames, and muntins—decorative elements for tempered and laminated glass

Glazing in doors serves, among other things, to provide natural light to rooms, but it also has an aesthetic function. In addition to a selection of glass colors, Barański also offers the option of decorative finishes. Upon the customer’s request, we apply various types of single-sided decals to laminated (VSG) and tempered glass. We currently offer:

• white decals,
• black designs,
• sandblasting.

For the STYL and GLASS lines, we use special designs specific to each model. Black and white designs are available exclusively for the GLASS line. Additionally, for other models, three sandblasted designs are available:

• frame,
• double frames,
• decorative muntin.

A brief summary of all available options in the Barański Optimo collection