Laminated or toughened?

[grahamdown]

Hi,

I have a customer with a chess board cross-stitch which as well as being framed she wants to be able to still use as a chess board. however the chess pieces are heavy, being made out of old coins.

Question is should I go for laminated glass or toughened?

regards,

Graham

[Jag62]

I would opt for toughened.
It will resist scratches well and if it breaks (and it takes a lot to break it) it will shatter safely into small squares.
If laminate breaks it will break into shards (although the laminate film will retain the shards to a degree). It also breaks more easily than toughened as the plys are thin. There is an option of laminated toughened glass.

Boats are typically fitted with toughened glass (or acrylic) windows and they take a hell of a beating.

Regards,

Neil

[Jag62]

It's not scratch proof though so worth felting (or similar) the bases of chess pieces if not already covered.

[grahamdown]

Thanks for the advice - toughened it is then.