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Toughened Glass Windows

Tempered glass in bifolding doors
Tempered safety glass doors
Tempered safety glass with BSI kitemark

What Is Toughened Glass Used For?

Replacement toughened or tempered glass for the ultimate in strength.

What is toughened glass or tempered glass? It is superior safety glass to replace normal glazing where it is up to 5 times stronger and up to 500% more heat resistant. It can be used in wooden or uPVC windows and doors where it needs to endure greater impact, more stress and to withstand extreme temperatures in high risk areas and/or to provide extra security.

The level of advantage appreciated in toughened glazing is reached by heating annealed glass at very hot temperatures reaching up to 650°C and allowing to cool rapidly. It is known as the toughening process which strengthens the structure of glass and improve the thermal properties for toughness, better shock absorption and increased heat resistance.

Advantages

  • 1
    Stronger Glass

    Toughened glass is almost five times stronger than normal glass and requires a higher amount of force than other safety glazing to break it. It has a higher load and breakage resistance than laminated glass, therefore you are less likely to need a replacement.

  • 2
    Safer Breakage

    When laminated glass shatters, it is held in place by the sticky middle layer. However, shattered toughened glass breaks up into hundreds of tiny chunks and falls away. This makes it much safer than jagged shards of normal glass which is likely to cause an injury.

  • 3
    Flame & Heat Resistant

    The thermal method used during the tempering process creates a heat resistance up to five times stronger than ordinary glass. It can withstand high temperatures up to 250°C, but this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

  • 4
    Used In Many Applications

    Tempered glass is used in many applications where there is a high risk of breakage and contact. It can be found on worktops, in cars, ovens, used as a shower screen, shelving, balustrades and to create a partition wall. Of course, it is also found in wooden and uPVC window units.

Disadvantages

  • 1
    Cannot Recut

    Toughened glass must be cut to size before going through the annealing process. This type of safety glass is specially treated so that it will break into small, blunt chunks under pressure. Any cuts required to attach anything or polishing the edges must be done prior to the tempering process.

  • 2
    Shatters Completely

    Tempered glass shatters into small granular pieces rather than leaving shards or splinters in your window or door when a massive direct force is applied to the glass. This makes it easier for a person to gain entry through the opening and needs a replacement imminently.

  • 3
    Almost Smooth Surface

    Tempered glass does have an almost smooth surface. You can almost notice the wavy surface appearance which is a result of contact with the rollers during manufacturing.

To Order Your Toughened Glass Call Us

Our tempered glazing service for your made to order glass application
Call Bolton

Frequently Asked Questions


  • How do I know that my glass is toughened?

    To identify the type of glass you have, look for the kitemark code in the corner of the glass. If it shows BS EN 12150 or BS EN 12600, then your glazing is toughened. If you see BS EN 14449 then you have laminated glass.

    Our BS EN 12150 Kitemark certifies the product as a thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass as authorised by BSI Assurance UK Ltd.

  • Why did my tempered glass suddenly shattered?

    Rarely, tempered glass can break for no apparent reason which is known as spontaneous breakage. Spontaneous breakage happens when nickel sulfide stones, that form during the manufacturing process, increase in size due to repeated heating and cooling, and then cause the glass to break. It is not always possible to detect the nickel sulfide stones as they are quite small. However, breakage can be due to damage in handling or accidental striking of a sharp object.

  • Is laminated better than toughened glass?

    There is no definitive answer for whether laminated is better than tempered glass, unless used where it is clear that a certain type is better. It is down to each client what they feel would be better in their application. They have to decide whether to use the stronger toughened glass which if broken will leave the area exposed; or use laminated panes which will mostly hold together in the event of an impact, but are not as tough.