What Is Tempered Glass?

Tempered glass is about four to five times stronger than regular glass because it goes though a controlled heating process. The process involves extreme heating of the glass in a tempering oven, followed by a rapid cooling to produce a hard outer layer. This type of glass is known by many different names, including safety, heat-treated, and thermal glass.
Why Is Tempering Used?
Heat-treated glass is safer than standard types because it has been through a tempering process to increase its strength. The controlled thermal treatment produces a product that is more scratch-resistant and less likely to break or crack. Even if tempered glass does break, it shatters into small pieces when broken, not dangerous shards that can cause serious injury. However, if one small piece of tempered glass cracks or breaks, the entire sheet will crumble at once.
Because tempered glass is safer than regular types, it is ideal for use in car windows, shower and tub enclosures, doors, storefronts, display cases, and tabletops. Heat-treated glass is used in motor vehicles to avoid harm to passengers in case of a collision; it is used for shower doors, tub enclosures, skylights, and any frameless door enclosure; it is also well suited for shelves, tables, and display cases that will carry heavy objects.
Tempered glass is often used in several kitchen devices, including carafes, coffee pots, oven windows, and refrigerator shelves. It is also used in eyewear and computer screens.
Limitations of Tempering
While tempered glass is safer than other types, it does have its disadvantages. All glass must be cut to size, shaped, polished, and holes drilled prior to the heat-treating process.
Benefits of Tempered Products
This type of glass is stronger and safer than other products, and it has grown in popularity in past years. If you are considering remodeling your home with new windows, skylights, shower doors, or other glass products, speak to a local contractor about the benefits of tempering.