Glass is a very critical material in modern architecture and construction to serve a purpose, let in daylight, and add aesthetic appeal. Among all types of glass, tempered glass is a perfect option if safety and strength are taken into consideration.

This is a comprehensive guide on how to choose the best suited tempered glass to use in your building construction, its definition, production, most suitable properties, advantages, application, and purchase considerations.

Definition and Manufacture of Tempered Glass

Definition of Tempered Glass

Tempered glass or toughened glass is heat-treated safety glass that is hardened and strengthened to become more than six times stronger than annealed glass. It is much stronger than annealed glass and is therefore very widely used wherever safety and security are of paramount concern.

Its most important single advantage however is the fact that it shatters, and instead of shattering into grotesque, dangerous lumps, tempered glass breaks apart into tiny, extremely sharp fragments that won't be likely to cause so much harm.

The Manufacturing Process of Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is made when the annealed glass is first heated to a very high temperature, usually 650°C (1200°F), and then rapidly cooled. The quenching, or rapid cooling, places the surface of the glass in compressive stress but the core in tension. It is this interchangeability of stresses that makes the tempered glass so robust and break upwards, in the usual manner, if and when it does break. Landson Glass uses strict heat treatment procedures that make their own tempered glass Australian, New Zealand, and European compliant.

Most Significant Features of Tempered Glass

Strength and Resistance

Tempered glass is also four or five times stronger than regular annealed glass of the same thickness. It is more resistant to impact, pressure, and bending stress. Its increased strength leads to longer life and reduced breakage rate, and hence its economy for a very large percentage of building uses.

Thermal Stability

Tempered glass is more resistant to heat and can withstand thermal stresses of up to 300°C (572°F). It is thus used where the glass is exposed to severe temperature fluctuations, i.e., ovens, solar panels, and fireplaces. The aspect that it does not break when subjected to impact of thermal stress is a much-desired advantage of tempered glass for both residential houses and commercial buildings.

Safety Features

The first advantage of safety is the manner in which the glass will fail. If temperate glass fails, it shatters into small tiny pieces, small fragments of tempered glass that will not likely cause as bad of an injury compared to the sharp annealed glass edge.

Tempered Glass vs. Other Glass Types

Tempered Glass vs. Annealed Glass

Annealed glass is the standard form of glass that has been slowly cooled to eliminate internal stresses. Annealed glass is adequate for everyday use, but is less strong and less secure than tempered glass. Annealed glass will break into large jagged shards and can be extremely hazardous unless tempered.

Tempered Glass vs. Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is made of two or more glasses with a sandwiched interlayer, in most cases, polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Either both laminated and tempered glass or one of them is ideal based on the kind of project being undertaken.

Merits of Tempered Glass

Greater Safety

Shatters to very small blunt fragments that can less likely make critical injuries.

Greater Strength

Four or five times stronger compared to annealed glass. Not easily breakable and stronger.

Resistance to heat

Resists sudden change of temperature without breaking.

Versatility

Ideal for a broad range of home and commercial building uses.

Tempered Glass in Buildings: Typical Uses

Windows and Doors

Tempered glass can be employed widely in doors and windows to provide enhanced security and safety without the loss of natural light. Tempered glass is a very shock-resistant and durable material and thus an ideal option for home and commercial construction.

Shower Doors and Enclosures

Tempered glass is usually used for shower enclosures and shower doors for shatter resistance. It will also give some form of added security and sensuality in the use of a bathroom with a high-end luxurious look.

Glass Balustrades and Balconies

Glass balconies and balustrades are perfect tempered, having a trendy and secure screen. It is strong and can support heavy loads, being absorbing and clear enough to gain a full view.

Glass Office Spaces and Partitions

Tempered glass partitions are finding extensive use in modern offices as a new, technologically upgraded means of division of space without air enclosure. Tempered glass partitions offer optimal balance of openness and closure and furnish the work environment with functionality and aesthetic grace.

Tempered glass is also applicable to furniture items like tables and shelves because it offers a tough but classy finish that is hard to scratch and very easy to maintain. It is also tough enough to resist heavy loads from bending or crushing.

The Best Tempered Glass to Apply to Your Project

Purpose

Decide the purpose to which the glass will be used, i.e., for windows, shower doors, furniture, or for doors.

Safety Requirements

Decide the level of safety required depending on whether or not human contact risk or security dangers are involved.

Load-Bearing Capacity

Decide the load that the glass will carry to bear, in the case of shelves and tabletops.

Building Codes

Obey the building codes and safety regulations of your local area, such as potentially minimum thickness.

Aesthetic Preference

Employ a finish and thickness that will best to your personal taste in your home.

Guide to Various Uses

It is a simple task to choose the correct tempered glass for your complex by simply recalling its properties, advantages, and applications. Tempered glass is safe, long-lasting, and fire-resistant and thus a better option for all residential and commercial complexes.

AUSTRALIA LANDSON GLASS (QINGDAO) CO., LTD. offers solution for each condition, like Tempered glass of complex and large sizes, curved, holes, or heat soaked, Balustrades and balcony tempered / toughened glass, Shower room and door Tempered glass, and 10mm tempered glass for verandas and terras. With pre-processing facility in-house, Landson Glass for high-demand tempered glass solution and other project needs.