A method for producing a protective element including the following steps is provided: mixing an aqueous, curable alkali silicate solution with silicon dioxide nanoparticles to form a filler having a first water content; performing thin-film evaporation of part of the water of the filler until the filler has a second water content that is less than the first water content, wherein the filler is flowable at the second water content; pouring the filler having the second water content into an intermediate space between two transparent substrate elements; and curing the filling mass in the intermediate space between the substrate elements while maintaining the second water content.