What is toughened glass?
Toughened glass, sometimes referred to as tempered glass, is a popular type of safety glass. It's highly popular due to its strong and reliable qualities and has been specially treated to be one of the safest types of glass used in homes and businesses across Australia.
Its tempering process involves heating the glass to high temperatures (650°C) and then rapidly cooling it, resulting in a glass material that is highly break resistant and 500% stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness.
It's this process that gives tempered glass it's unique shattering quality, breaking into small, relatively harmless pieces of glass, rather than large shards. This makes tempered glass relatively safe for people close to the glass when it breaks.
Toughened glass typically has a higher upfront cost to regular glass, but it's longevity and durability often outweighs the initial investment. Glass types such as annealed glass may be cheaper upfront, but is nowhere near as safe or durable as toughened glass.
Uses of toughened glass?
Similar to laminated glass, toughened glass is best used in applications where safety is of concern. this includes bathrooms, glass splashbacks, full-length windows and sliding doors.
It's very popular in architectural design purposes such as elevation windows, large feature windows, and skyscraper facades, due to its structural strength properties.
Toughened safety glass is used for the following:
- Windows and doors
- Shower screens
- Glass Splashbacks
- Glass Balustrades
- Glass Pool Fencing
- Greenhouse glass
- Glass shelving
- Table tops
- Worktops
- Glass partition walls
- Glass floors
Benefits of toughened glass
- Exceptional structural strength makes it highly suitable for safety purposes and areas of glass prone to breakages
- Highly resistant to thermal stress and extreme temperatures
- Doesn't shatter into large dangerous shards
- Suitable for use in large openings and feature windows
- Suitable for a wide range of applications
Disadvantages of toughened glass
- Can be vulnerable to edge damage such as chipping and cracking around the sides of the glass
- Once tempered, it is almost impossible to cut without comprimising the integrity of the glass
- It is not advisable to opt for Low E Toughened Glass for solar control when the natural heating from the winter sun is available
- Occasionally displays slight distortions
.svg)
© 2022
License No: 15245664
License No: 15245664
