As of 15 May 2021
Toughened glass is compressed and tempered with heat and cold during production, giving it much greater strength and shatter-resistance compared to normal float glass. Toughened glass is ideal for use in many different applications, from shower screens and glass homeware to touchscreens and high-rise apartment windows. We discuss the different applications of toughened glass and its benefits.
1. Strength
Toughened glass is known as a type of safety glass for a reason. It is five times stronger than regular glass of the same size and thickness, which means it can withstand a much harder hit without breaking and is less prone to shattering. Toughened glass is different to laminated glass (used for most car windscreens), as both products are stronger than standard glass, but they react differently when shattered. While laminated glass keeps shattered pieces in place long enough for a replacement to be found, toughened glass breaks up into hundreds of tiny pieces that are not sharp or jagged, lowering the risk of injury.
2. Heat Resistance
Tempered glass is up to five times more heat resistant than standard glass and can withstand temperatures up to a sweltering 250 degrees. This makes it much safer in the event of a fire and is the reason why most high-rise apartments, government buildings, schools and offices have toughened glass windows. Double glazing, which is two panes of glass sandwiched together, can provide even greater heat insulation if you opt for toughened glass, helping you to keep energy bills down during winter.
3. Sound Reduction
Toughened glass has almost twice the soundproofing abilities of standard glass. That’s why all soundproofing glass has been tempered and toughened, providing a reduction in noise levels of up to 60 dB. This makes it ideal for application in a studio space, gym, restaurant or cinema, where sound reduction is important.
4. UV Protection
Tempered glass absorbs 65% of UV rays, giving it an SPF of around 16. You can opt for a tinted finish in bronze or grey, which will further increase the SPF of your toughened glass by blocking more UV rays.
5. Impact Resistance
Toughened glass isn’t just stronger – it’s also much more impact resistant and protective compared to ordinary glass. This makes it suitable for safety applications in many situations, such as reinforced windows for high-rise offices and apartment buildings, glass shower screens, and bus shelter windows.
6. Durability
Toughened glass is often used for glass homeware, as it is much more durable and less prone to breakage than standard glass. Glass dining tables, splashbacks, shower screens and tables are all toughened to ensure that your homeware is safe to use. Frameless glass doors and other structurally loaded applications of glass should always be toughened using a thermal tempering process, which makes it, on average, five times stronger than untoughened glass.
7. Versatility
Toughened glass is a versatile design product. A wide range of furniture, such as glass bedside chests, shelves and table tops, is made using frosted satin glass, which provides additional privacy and softness. The finish is achieved by treating the glass with acid, which makes it easier to clean and more difficult to mark than glass with a sandblasted finish. You can also opt for tinted or painted glass finishes, which can be particularly appropriate for splashbacks and partitions.
