Additionally, tempered glass is considered a form of safety glass because it “crumbles” into small pieces when it breaks rather than forming dangerous shards. Glass consists of a few main components - soda ash, lime and sand. And, unlike regular glass, tempered glass fractures into small, relatively harmless pieces. He represents your company well. That means there’s less worry about breakage if a window or door panel has tempered glass. Tempered glass is much stronger than regular glass. With a positive experience like the one I have experienced, you can bet that if there is additional work that I need done, Omni will be my first call. Tempered glass passes through the same process only that its annealing process is made shorter. Tempered Glass is about four times stronger than regular class and is known for its safety. And the windows are outstanding too! To actually make glass, these ingredients are mixed and melted at very high temperatures. It is heat-treated safety glass with a minimum surface compression of 10,000 psi or a minimum edge compression of 9,700 psi. I reached out to Omni Glass & Paint; they came to look at the door, found the part and installed the part in less than a day. Float glass manufacturers create low-iron glass, also known as extra-clear glass or optically clear glass, by reducing the amount of iron in the molten glass formula. When subject to a sufficiently powerful force, a regular piece of glass will shatter into many sharp pieces, posing a health and safety risk. I have a GREAT deal of confidence in them and fully expect the entire job to go as well as it has to this point.”-Jim, “Your residential installer was wonderful and did an amazing job.”-Kyle, Green Lake, “Both Steve Bridwell & Mark Willems did a great job of helping me with my patio door after my home invasion.”-Kathy, Oshkosh, I wanted you to know that Mark Willems our installer did a FANTASTIC job. If the edges of the glass are exposed, run your fingers along them. They even found an issue with rotten wood that the workers who installed our siding just covered up…so we are very grateful. This is why it is often called safety glass. This is possible because during the annealing process the glass is cooled down slowly, which makes the glass much stronger. They are both an asset to your company. ~ Roxanne D. – Oshkosh, WI, I just called to compliment the man who installed my new shower door. However, despite its strength, tempered glass usually weighs the same as regular or anneal glass. Tempered glass has smooth edges . The surface of tempered glass is approximately four times stronger than the surface of regular annealed (non-safety) glass of the same thickness. Low-e coatings minimise the amount of UV and IR light that can pass through the glass. Here is a brief guide to the differences between tempered glass and regular window glass. For this reason, tempered glass is a popular choice for windshields and security glass. This type is more transparent than regular glass, and doesn't have that greenish tint. It is known to be 4-5 times stronger than regular glass and can withstand temperatures up to 295 degrees Celsius. I am very, very pleased with their knowledge and abilities, they were the most impressive group of people I have ever worked with. When the glass absorbs heat or light energy, the glass can either shift it away by air, or re-radiates by the glass surface. I am so happy with the job he did! Plate glass is usually harder because of the intense heating and a gradual cooling process to make it sturdier. Everyday our workers handle different types of glass from standard glass to tempered glass. Tempered glass is more expensive than annealed glass because of the added heat treatment processing. These compressed layers add on to the heat and scratch resistivity of the tempered glass as much as five times stronger than normal glass. If tempered glass is broken, it will not break into sharp shards of glass; instead, tempered glass shatters into smaller granules. ~ Fun Fact ~ Thanks again! If the force is sufficient to cause acrylic to fail, it will crack without shattering. A tempered glass needs to be sandblasted. Standard glass breaks into large, irregular shaped shards. Tempered glass is harder and stronger than annealed glass. The most commonly used glass - like, up to 90% of all glass made - is Soda-lime glass, the least expensive form of glass. Tempered glass is regularly used for windows in both automotive and residential applications because it is generally tougher and safer than regular glass. Normally, tempered glass has completely smooth edges due to the extra processing it goes through, while other types of glass usually have scuffed or ridged edges. – Matt Bakalars, Fox Valley Savings Bank, Mark and Jeff installed windows in our home in Oshkosh. Its plastic layer can be tinted. Yes, tempered glass is breakable, however, the manufacturing process it goes through increases its strength and makes it 4–5 times stronger than normal annealed or regular glass. This property makes tempered glass very hard to break. Tempered glass, on the other hand, is designed to shatter into many small dull pieces, which have a much smaller chance of cutting people nearby. The downside to the faster annealing process is that the glass is much more fragile. If the glass is merely annealed, the tool makes a clean, white line, but if the glass is tempered, it makes a glittery, uneven one, and material will sliver and flake off from the score line. Cutting, reshaping, polishing edges and drilled holes are some customizations that can be done without breaking or shattering regular glass. Shatter Dynamics For example, the law requires that tempered glass be used in doorlights, bathroom windows near tubs or showers, and windows with glass that is within 18 inches of the floor. It has a bottom layer of absorbent silicon, PET film and an optically clear adhesive tempered glass and oleophobic coating in that order as displayed in the following illustration. More robust screen protectors, like those made of tempered glass, can prevent a screen’s glass from breaking after a bad fall. Both types of glass are made in varying sizes and thicknesses and can be colored or tinted. -Mike & Mary Kay, Winneconne, My recent experience with Omni Glass & Paint was fantastic. Homeowners have more choices than ever when it comes to windows. A tempered glass protector is a multi-layered screen protector. Look for a small label etched into the mirror that says "tempered" or "safety glass" at one of its four corners. 1/4″ Tempered Glass has the same strength as a 1″ thick piece of regular glass. Once the result of this process is shaped formed, and cooled, a process called annealing reheats the glass and cools it once again for restoring strength. I just spoke with Dave V. by phone, but wanted to be sure that my appreciation did not go unnoticed. In today’s blog post, we’re going to focus on standard glass and tempered glass. If broken, it breaks into many small squared-off fragments, making it safer to use in applications such as the side and back windows of passenger vehicles and the glass doors and windows of buildings. The resulting pane of glass is many times stronger than standard glass types, making it highly valuable when installed in areas where window damage may be possible. Acrylic is 20 times more impact resistant than glass and does not shatter like tempered glass. Tempered glass screen protectors contain multiple layers, which includes an oleophobic nano coating, anti-shatter film and a penetrable silicone coating on top of the tempered glass. Outwardly, however, it does not appear any different than standard glass. Standard glass breaks into large, irregular shaped shards. This makes it a great choice when security is at stake. Tempered glass is more heat-resistant and scratch-resistant than non-treated glass. The former is called tempered or toughened glass, and is used in shower doors, refrigerator trays, architectural glass doors and tables, bullet-resistant glass and smartphone screen protectors (a rather recent development). Instead, acrylic dents if the impact is strong enough. The reason for this is that tempered glass is constantly under pressure from edge to edge. Tempered glass is regular glass that has been treated with a thermal or chemical process to make it stronger and more heat-resistant. One problem with plexiglass is that it is subject to crack formation when it is brought into contact with common solvents. When it does shatter, however, is where the other unique aspect of tempered glass comes in. Understanding the different types of glass available can help you make the best decision for your next window replacement project. In general, heat treate… Mark was especially helpful, he was absolutely wonderful to work with. Tempering puts the outer surfaces into compression and the interior into tension.Such stresses cause the glass, when broken, to shatter into small granular chunks instead of splintering into jagged shards as ordinary annealed glass does. The oleophobic nano-coating helps to repel skin oils, thus preventing fingerprint smudges. This is possible because during the annealing process the glass is cooled down slowly, which makes the glass much stronger. Protectors: An additional layer of plastic or glass you put on top of your phone to prevent scratches. Tempered glass, on … Made through a process of heating and rapid cooling, tempered glass is generally four times stronger than regular window glass. Regular glass is less expensive and has its fair share of uses—homeowners install regular glass in most windows throughout the house. A significant difference between annealed and tempered glass is the level of durability provided. Wallside Windows27000 Trolley Industrial DriveTaylor, MI 481801-800-521-7800, A Look Back on the History of Window Glass, Cut Down on Energy Costs with New Windows, Windows for Commercial Buildings and Apartments, Wallside Windows, 27000 Trolley Industrial Drive, Taylor, MI, 48180, United States. There are even certain situations where tempered glass is actually required, such … Tempered glass, often referred to as toughened glass, is a type of safety glass that is treated with heat or chemicals to increase its strength compared to normal glass. We were extremely happy with their work but more than that, they went above and beyond to install those windows and were extremely friendly and informative along the way. Tempered Glass is about four times stronger than regular class and is known for its safety. The increased strength means that tempered glass is better able to stand up to everyday wear and tear out in the world with little risk of shattering. Each type of glass is designed to meet specific requirements related to solar control, decoration, security, acoustics, and architecture. In the absence of other identifying features, you can tell whether glass is tempered by scoring a line on it with a window-cutting tool -- but do this only if you plan to cut the glass anyway. Applications include side and rear windows in vehicles, entrance doors, shower and tub enclosures, racquetball courts, patio furniture, microwave ovens and skylights. If you want to learn more about the differences between regular glass and tempered glass, call Wallside Windows at (313) 908-5243. If you want to get a Tempered Glass door for your bathroom, Accurate Glass Mechanical might be the best choice … Tempered glass is much stronger than regular window glass. Our window replacement professionals are happy to help you find the best windows for your home. For those of you what dont know what annealing means, it is when materials (metal or glass) are allowed to cool slowly, i… It usually contains 60-75% silica, 12-18% soda, 5-12% lime. Safety glass is essential for all kinds of projects from patio furniture and shower doors to business storefronts. He is very professional, knowledgeable and personable. Because of their services we would highly recommend Omni Glass to everyone. Jeff was very pleasant, he did an AWESOME job, everything is perfect, and he left the place neater than when he arrived! As shown here, tempered glass is much stronger than annealed glass; it will hold up to additional wear and tear, and it’s usually harder and thicker. The flexible glass is usually four or utmost five times stronger than the regular glass, and it does not break into tiny sharp pieces when hit by a force. What’s the difference? Glass is an amorphous material, a "frozen" liquid, and thus much more easily shattered than a thermoplastic such as plexiglass, which is softer than glass. When broken, tempered glass shatters into small, relatively harmless pieces. There are certain cases in which manufacturers or builders are legally required to use tempered glass. Tempered or toughened glass is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Tempered glass is made from scratch-resistant gorilla glass and is far denser than plastic. ~ Nancy, Oshkosh, WI, I just wanted to congratulate the great crew we had working at my home, they were fantastic. Tempered glass is annealed glass that has been heat treated to harden and strengthen it. Tempered sheets have smooth and even edges because of the extra processing it goes through. I am calling and writing to express my deep appreciation for their professionalism, expertise and spirit. Jeff and Mark of your residential division just left my home after spending two days replacing several storm damaged windows. There are two different break-resistant solutions: laminated glass and tempered glass. When tempered glass breaks, it breaks into small pebble shaped pieces like a cars windshield after an accident. And, unlike regular glass, tempered glass fractures into small, relatively harmless pieces. There is no difference; they are one and the same. So, one good way is to look thoroughly at the edges of the glass. Standard glass uses an annealing process that forces the glass to cool very rapidly. It is forced to cool rapidly, which additionally increases the breaking point. Shatter Dynamics When subject to a sufficiently powerful force, a regular piece of glass will shatter into many sharp pieces, posing a health and safety risk. Appropriate Use In recent years, acrylic has replaced tempered glass in many applications in which heat is not a factor. Tempered Glass Windows are a type of fixture that uses a safety glass and is ideal in homes or building that requires a sturdier window than the standard glass. Per safety glazing standards, it’s the break pattern and NOT the strength or break resistance of tempered glass that defines it as a safety product. Strength Standard glass can be cut to size or pressed into shape after it is processed. P.S. In the same time, they do not prevent visible light from passing through the glass. As mentioned previously in this thread, as well as in the original article, tempered glass is both stronger and has a different break pattern than annealed (ordinary) glass. I was so impressed with Omni’s work and would highly recommend them to anyone. ~ Rick, P. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Everything lines up, everything fits, nothing leaks! ~ Thom N. Oshkosh, WI, “Mark and Brandon are going great guns here. And, unlike regular glass, tempered glass fractures into small, relatively harmless pieces. It is used in situations where there is a high probability that it could come into contact with other objects or it’s used in structures where a more robust type of glass is required. Glass looks better.To elaborate on the difference between plastic and glass screen protectors, we will spend the rest of the rest of this post elaborating on the pros, cons and misconceptions for each type of screen protector. 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