In recent years, glass has become an increasingly popular material in modern interior design and architecture, and is used in a variety of different projects.
The benefits are undeniable, but many homeowners are still up in arms about whether or not it’s the best option for their space.
In this post, the toughened glass experts at EGW explore everything you need to know to help you decide.
What is toughened glass, and how is it made?
Toughened glass, or tempered glass as it’s also commonly known, is a type of safety glass that’s up to five times stronger than standard, annealed glass.
Designed to break into small, blunt pieces rather than large, sharp shards, toughened glass is made by heating a sheet of regular glass to a high temperature (of at least 600°C) before rapidly cooling it with cold-blown air in a quenching chamber.
This process creates tension and compression in the glass, which is what gives it its superior strength.
Is toughened glass safe?
Thanks to the process outlined above, toughened glass is incredibly safe.
As previously mentioned, toughened glass shatters into small, blunt pieces when broken (which is highly unlikely in the first place), but there are a range of other safety advantages worth mentioning, too.
These include:
- High impact resistance – Being much stronger than typical glass, toughened glass is much less likely to break from impact, wind loads, and other forces.
- Thermal stress resistance – Thanks to the intense heating and cooling process, toughened glass can withstand extreme and rapid temperature fluctuations without cracking.
What are the benefits of toughened glass?
Safety aside, there are several other benefits of toughened glass:
Design versatility
Being clear, toughened glass is an incredibly versatile design option.
It looks great in a variety of settings and pairs perfectly with a range of colours and materials, like metal or wood, making it the ideal option for every home that needs a touch of modern magic.
So, whether you choose to replace old wooden spindles with toughened glass panels or swap out your outdated shower curtain with a glass shower screen, you’re guaranteed to find a solution that meets your needs.
Ease of maintenance
Toughened glass is also super easy to maintain, making it a great choice for those who are constantly on the go and struggle to make time for regular cleaning.
All toughened glass needs is a wipe down with a soft cloth and a mild cleaning solution once a week to remove dust, dirt, and fingerprints.
Make sure to avoid harsh cleaning chemicals and abrasive scrubbing tools, as this can scratch the surface, and dry thoroughly after cleaning to prevent unsightly water spots.
UV protection
Toughened glass absorbs up to 65% of UV rays, giving it a sun protection factor of around 16.
This level of protection helps prevent your furniture and other interior features from premature ageing and fading, while also protecting you and your family from excessive, prolonged sun exposure through windows.
Sound resistance
Toughened glass has almost twice the soundproofing capabilities of standard glass.
Reducing noise by up to 60 dB, toughened glass is ideal for areas where this level of sound reduction is a necessity, like cinemas, gyms, and studio spaces, as well as noisy homes.
Order bespoke toughened glass products online
In short, toughened glass is an excellent option for your home.
For expert advice on how to incorporate it into your home’s design or help in designing bespoke products, get in touch with the specialists at Express Glass Warehouse.
With years of experience, their team would be more than happy to offer their advice and recommendations.