When it comes to glass, it’s not as clear cut as you may think (pun intended). There are different types of glass you may find throughout your home or business and there are pros and cons to all of them. We are going to review one specific type of glass that many home and business owners are not familiar with, help you identify if you have it in your home or business, and what the characteristics and benefits are of this type of glass. What is tempered glass? Keep reading to find out.
What is Tempered Glass?
Tempered glass is a type of glass that is about four times stronger than “ordinary,” or annealed, glass. Unlike annealed glass, which can shatter into jagged shards when broken, tempered glass fractures into small, relatively harmless pieces. As a result, tempered glass is used in those environments where human safety is an issue (Scientific American).
In short, this glass is heat-treated, and stronger than regular, annealed glass. This kind of glass is heated intensely and is then cooled down quickly. This process makes this glass super useful and gives it a unique structure.
Tempering puts the outer surfaces into compression and the interior into tension. Tempered glass is used for its safety and strength in a variety of applications, including passenger vehicle windows, shower doors, aquariums, architectural glass doors and tables, refrigerator trays, mobile phone screen protectors, bulletproof glass components, diving masks, and plates and cookware (Wikipedia).
Do you Have this Type of Glass in Your Home or Business?
Odds are that you have tempered glass in different areas throughout your home or business. As we mentioned above, this glass is used in areas where safety is a concern, like for shower doors, maybe high-hazard windows, or even in sliding or bi-fold doors. It’s important to keep in mind that while the manufacturing process does make tempered glass more resistant to force, it is not shatterproof glass or unbreakable in any way. For this reason, it shouldn’t be used to prevent intruders, but it will stand up to more force than regular glass. You will likely find tempered glass in areas of your home or business that have a high safety hazard or experience extreme heat, like fireplace enclosures and kitchen appliances.
How do you identify if you have tempered glass? The best way to tell if the glass you are looking at is tempered or not is if it has smooth edges. Tempered sheets have smooth and even edges because of the extra processing it goes through. If the glass is not tempered, the edges feel rough to touch.
What are the Benefits of Tempered Glass?
As we referenced, tempered glass’s biggest advantage over “regular” glass is safety and that it doesn’t break into tiny shards, if broken. This type of glass is also tougher than ordinary glass, is heat-resistant, crystal clear, versatile, doesn’t scratch easily, and more. Tempered glass can be used practically anywhere glass is needed.
If you want to add a safety element to your Pittsburgh home’s and business’s windows, you may want to look into tempered glass. At R and C Glass we can handle all of your home and commercial glass needs.
As Pittsburgh’s window and door repair specialists, we’re a trusted name in all things glass. From replacing broken panes of glass in storefront doors to installing new dual-pane windows for local homes, our team handles it all!
Need glass replaced or a window repaired? Call us right now to set up a free glass estimate.
