Glass has so many functions and uses, that inevitably, each use demands a different type of glass that is manufactured and prepared specifically for that use. You could say that not all glass is cut from the same cloth! This month’s blogpost demystifies some of the more commonly used types of glass for residential and commercial purposes.

Annealed glass

Also known as standard glass, annealed glass is a softer glass than tempered glass. It has been thermally treated and then slowly cooled to relieve any internal stresses. Annealed glass tends to break into longer, jagged shards which can cause considerable injury. As such it is used when strength or safety are not concerns but cost is.

Laminated glass

Laminated glass is manufactured by baking together 2 or more lites of glass, with a vinyl layer in between, at extremely high temperatures.

There are many benefits of using laminated glass. First and foremost is safety. Laminated glass is the preferred glass in all overhead glazing applications because when broken, the glass will stay in place adhering to the vinyl interlayer. Laminated glass can also contribute to the security of your premises. It is an excellent product for security applications because the vinyl interlayer prevents immediate entry after the glass is broken.

Tempered glass

Tempered glass, also referred to as safety glass, is a glass that has been heated to approximately 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and then immediately cooled. This process causes the glass to become extremely strong and resistant to easy breakage. It is used in applications where glass breakage may cause bodily harm to a person. When tempered glass breaks it breaks into tiny popcorn sized pieces as opposed to big shards. It is also used where extra strong glass is essential such as tub or shower glass and railing glass applications; and the glass in automobiles (other than the windshield, which is laminated glass). Tempered glass cannot be cut once it has been tempered, therefore the glass must be cut and/or drilled to specification prior to the tempering process.

First Response Glass specializes in custom cut glass and we can provide the appropriate type of glass for all your applications. Just come and speak to one of our specialists who can give you all the information you need.