How Thick Should Glass Be for a Partition Wall?

For most office glass partitions in the UK, 10mm toughened glass is the standard and most cost-effective choice. It meets all safety requirements under BS EN 12600 and provides adequate sound reduction for general office use. Thicker options — 12mm toughened and 12.8mm acoustic laminated — offer improved performance for specific situations.

10mm Toughened Glass

This is the industry standard for single-glazed frameless glass partitions. At 10mm thick, each square metre weighs approximately 25kg. It provides a sound reduction of around 32–34dB, which is sufficient for visual privacy and reducing general office noise, though speech will still be audible through the partition.

10mm toughened glass is suitable for partition heights up to approximately 2700mm. Above this height, 10mm glass can start to bow due to its flexibility, so 12mm is recommended instead. It is the glass we include in our standard partition kits, with complete kits starting from £858 including VAT.

12mm Toughened Glass

The main reason to choose 12mm over 10mm is ceiling height. If your floor-to-ceiling measurement is above 2700mm (up to 3000mm), 12mm toughened glass has the rigidity needed to prevent bowing. At 30kg per square metre it is heavier than 10mm, which is worth considering for access — particularly if glass needs to be carried upstairs or through narrow corridors.

Weight also matters for doors. A 12mm glass door is noticeably heavier than 10mm. This is usually fine with a floor-mounted pivot hinge, which is designed to carry the weight. However, if the door is hung within a door frame using side-hung hinges, the extra weight puts more strain on the hinges — in that case it may be better to use a shorter door with an overhead glass panel above it, reducing the weight on the hinges.

The price premium over 10mm is around 15–20%. View our 12mm toughened glass options.

12.8mm Acoustic Laminated Glass

For partitions where sound reduction is a priority — such as meeting rooms, boardrooms, HR offices or any space where speech privacy matters — 12.8mm acoustic laminated glass is the recommended choice. This glass consists of two layers bonded with an acoustic interlayer (PVB) that significantly dampens sound transmission.

Acoustic laminated glass achieves sound reduction of approximately 38–40dB in a single-glazed configuration, a noticeable improvement over standard toughened glass. It also offers enhanced safety: if broken, the glass fragments remain bonded to the interlayer rather than falling. The price premium over 10mm toughened is approximately 25–30%.

Important: Acoustic glass only delivers its full benefit if sound cannot escape through other routes. If the partition has a frameless glass door, the gaps around the door (needed for the pivot mechanism) will let sound through, significantly reducing the overall acoustic performance. To get the most from acoustic glass, use a door frame with perimeter seals instead. Similarly, if the office has a suspended ceiling, sound can travel over the top of the partition through the ceiling void — acoustic ceiling tiles above the partition area will help prevent this.

Learn more about acoustic performance of glass partitions or view our acoustic laminated glass options.

Which Thickness Should You Choose?

Choose 10mm toughened if your ceiling height is 2700mm or below and you need a cost-effective partition for general office division, open-plan breakout areas, or anywhere that visual separation is more important than sound isolation.

Choose 12mm toughened if your ceiling height is above 2700mm (up to 3000mm), as 10mm glass can bow at taller heights.

Choose 12.8mm acoustic laminated if the space will be used for confidential meetings, phone calls, interviews, or any situation where speech privacy is important — but only if you are also using a door frame (not a frameless door) and addressing any suspended ceiling above.

All three options are available through our instant calculator. Select your dimensions and glass type to see the exact price and materials list.

Safety Standards

All glass used in partitions must comply with BS EN 12600 (impact safety) and Building Regulations Approved Document K (protection from collision with glazing). Both 10mm and 12mm toughened glass and 12.8mm acoustic laminated glass meet these requirements. Manifestation (visible markings on the glass) is required by Building Regulations on all glass partitions to prevent people from walking into them.