Laminated sidelights have a similar construction to laminated windshields, namely a PVB interlayer sandwiched between two glass plies. In order to meet door slam tests, both glass plies need to be semi-toughened with a minimum of 35 Mpa compression around the edge and over the surface. Current products are a 2.1/0.76/2.1 mm construction or thicker but Pilkington will enter volume production with a 1.6/0.76/1.8 mm construction this year. The trend to lighter weight glazing means that an overall 4 mm make up is becoming a higher priority. At this thickness, stress levels and optics become far more difficult to achieve in tandem. NSG Group researchers are already testing these future new constructions.

The UK Car Security Rating Scheme (NCSR) awards up to five stars to all new car models sold in the UK to depict how secure new vehicles are. The scheme is split to cover both theft of and theft from cars. When it comes to preventing break-ins, only vehicles fitted with laminated side glazing as standard will be eligible for the prestigious five stars in the theft from rating.

Besides its intrinsic benefits identified above, laminated glazing also offers an opportunity to create advanced glazings with additional features, such as coatings or wire heating for de-misting, or modified interlayers (e.g. shade bands, colours).

The additional cost penalty of laminated side glazings is offset by the above opportunities which can enable the car manufacturer to customise the vehicle and make it more attractive and desirable to the car buyer.