Toughened Glass
Toughened glass is often referred to as safety glass or tempered glass and starts as annealed glass that is then heated then rapidly cooled and classed as a Grade A Safety Glass.
After going through the toughening process it becomes five times stronger than standard annealed glass of the same thickness and the toughening process reduces the risk of cracking.
Toughened glass when damaged will shatter into tiny little pieces so that any one standing nearby will not be badly injured.
When it does shatter be mindful when cleaning up that in some instances the glass can travel a number of meters in all directions.
Toughened glass is recommended in areas where windows require structural strength and safety such as elevation windows and large feature windows. Like laminated glass, toughened glass is also suited to areas of the home most prone to injury from human impact such as bathrooms, splashbacks, doors and full length windows.
Advantages
Suitable for when strength, thermal resistance, and safety are all important considerations
Safer – if broken, the glass shatters rather than breaking into dangerous shards
Physically and thermally stronger than regular glass
Suitable for use in large openings
Available in different tones and opaque options
Toughened glass cannot be reused or re-cut once installed, something to consider if you want to have a pet door later. Alternatively, you can have the pet door installed prior to the glass going through the toughening process.
Disadvantages
- Low E Toughened Glass option is not recommended for solar control when the winter sun provides natural heating
- Sometimes exhibits minor distortion