Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK. Getting the glass specification right is critical — not just for performance, but for safety and long-term reliability.
Why toughened glass — and why 12 mm?
12 mm toughened glass is up to five times stronger than annealed glass and delivers the perfect balance of strength, rigidity, and predictable ball bounce that padel demands. The LTA recommends 10 mm or 12 mm — in practice, 12 mm has become the go-to standard for professional and commercial courts.
Standard panel dimensions & fixing
Typical panels are 1995 mm x 2995 mm (with variations). All holes must be drilled and countersunk before toughening — once the glass is toughened, no further modifications are possible.
Why heat-soaking is essential for padel courts
Heat-soaking dramatically reduces the already low risk of spontaneous breakage from nickel sulphide inclusions. For large, high-impact panels under constant use, heat-soaking is a sensible and recommended safeguard.
Key benefits of toughened glass in padel courts
- Consistent, predictable ball bounce
- Excellent noise reduction for residential or indoor venues
- High resistance to wind, weather, and impacts
- Safety breakage pattern — shatters into small, blunt pieces
Common mistakes to avoid
- Incorrect panel dimensions or hole positions
- Forgetting polished edges
- Not specifying heat-soaking
- Using the wrong thickness