Specially manufactured transparent material that shatters safely on impact – made from sugar, resin, or specialty plastics for windows, windshields, and any scene requiring breaking glass.
What is Breakaway Glass?
Breakaway Glass (Zuckerglas, Candy Glass) is a transparent material that breaks safely into harmless pieces upon impact. It is used for all film scenes where glass is intended to break – from windows and windshields to mirrors.
Materials
| Material | Properties |
|---|---|
| Sugar Glass | Classic, edible, crystal clear |
| Resin | More durable, consistent |
| Isomalt | Sugar alternative, holds longer |
| Acrylic (pre-scored) | For special applications |
| Specialty Plastics | Industrial production |
Sugar Glass Recipe
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sugar | 1000g |
| Water | 400ml |
| Corn Syrup | 300g |
| Cream of Tartar | 2 tsp |
Manufacturing Process
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Mixing | Combine ingredients |
| Heating | To 149–154°C (Hard Crack) |
| Decolorizing | No caramelization |
| Pouring | Onto oiled sheet/mold |
| Cooling | Slowly, without air bubbles |
| Cutting | To size, before hardening |
Areas of Application
| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Windows | Through-the-window stunts, bullet impacts |
| Windshields | Car accidents |
| Mirrors | Shattered mirror effects |
| Bottles | Bar brawls |
| Display Cases | Break-in scenes |
| Doors | Glass breakage |
Quality Grades
| Level | Use |
|---|---|
| Hero | Close-ups, crystal clear |
| Standard | Medium shots |
| Background | Distant shots |
Breakage Behavior
| Aspect | Optimization |
|---|---|
| Shard Size | Small, harmless |
| Break Sound | Authentic sounding |
| Transparency | Like real glass |
| Break Pattern | Falling realistically |
Safety Aspects
| Feature | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Soft Edges | No cuts |
| Lightweight | Low impact |
| Edible (Sugar) | Non-toxic |
| Predictable | Controlled breakage |
Cost (approx.)
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Window (50x50cm) | 80–150 € |
| Window (1m²) | 200–400 € |
| Windshield | 500–1,500 € |
| Custom Shape | Variable |
Limitations
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Humidity | Use resin |
| Shelf Life | Manufacture shortly before shoot |
| Heat | Cool storage |
| Large Areas | Expensive, complex |
Storage
| Rule | Reason |
|---|---|
| Dry | Sugar attracts moisture |
| Cool | Below 25°C |
| Separately | Risk of breakage |
| Promptly | Limited shelf life |
Installation
| Step | Activity |
|---|---|
| Prepare Frame | Rubber seal |
| Insert | Carefully, without pressure |
| Secure | Lightly, not tightly |
| Protect | Cover until take |
Combination with Effects
| Effect | Use |
|---|---|
| Squibs | Bullet holes |
| Air Cannon | Forced breakage |
| Blood Bags | Behind glass |
| CGI | Enhancement |
Manufacturers
| Provider | Specialization |
|---|---|
| Prop Houses | Standard sizes |
| SFX Workshops | Custom |
| In-house Production | With equipment |
Alternatives
| Alternative | Situation |
|---|---|
| CGI Glass | Post-production |
| Real Glass + Safety | Specific shots |
| Tempered + CGI | Combination |
Today
Breakaway Glass remains the standard for safe glass stunt scenes. The combination of visual believability and safety is unsurpassed – when glass shatters, it should look dangerous and be absolutely safe.
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