Toughened glass is also known as safety glass or tempered glass, and it basically refers to a type of glass that is much stronger than regular glass. One of the most common applications of this glass is using it in doors and windows for security purposes. This is because while regular glass can easily be shattered, toughened glass cannot be broken easily. It therefore enhances the overall safety of the building. Toughened glass can be used in residential and commercial buildings.
Toughened glass is made through a process that is known as tempering, which is why it is sometimes called tempered glass. A part of the process includes removing small ridges from the edges of the glass by polishing them and making them smooth. This glass is then placed on rollers and rolled into a furnace where the temperature is around 650-degrees. The rollers are an important part of the process as they are used to move the glass at regular intervals while it is in the furnace.
Once the glass reaches a specific temperature, the rollers are used to bring the glass outside of the furnace. Then, jets are used to cool down the glass immediately. Doing so makes the surface of the glass contract, while the internal structure of the glass remains in a state of tension.
When glass is in such a state, it becomes much harder to break it as you first have to exceed the compression point of the glass before it shatters. This is why toughened glass or tempered glass is much stronger than regular glass. In fact, based on the way the glass is created, toughened glass can be up to 4x stronger than regular float glass.
Do note that if toughened glass does break, it splinters into tiny pieces and this ensures you don’t get hurt. Regular glass, on the other hand, tends to break into large, jagged pieces that can hurt someone if they come into contact with the same.
One of the best things about using toughened glass in a residential building is that when the glass is fitted into the windows, you cannot tell the difference between it and regular glass. This means that if you are concerned about the overall aesthetic of the window or the level of transparency or cleanliness of the window, then you don’t need to be as it is indistinguishable from regular glass.
In fact, the only way that you can tell whether a window has toughened glass in it is by removing it from the window frame and checking whether the edges are smooth.
As stated earlier, toughened glass can be up to 4 times stronger than regular glass, which is what makes it a great option for those who want heightened security in their homes or offices. If you are building a home with a lot of large windows and are concerned about people breaking into the home, then using toughened glass is a great way to get rid of your fears. Toughened glass can also be used in doors with large panels for glass to enhance the security.
Some of the top places where you can use toughened glass include:
AIS Glasxperts is one of the leading names in the country for high-quality glass that can suit many needs. As one of the most renowned manufacturers of glass, we offer tempered glass that is suitable for residential and commercial buildings without compromising on the look of the building. To know more about getting toughened glass, get in touch with us today.