Whilst it’s a much-loved interior design option, many homeowners considering incorporating glass in their living spaces are concerned about safety.

Read on as the experts over at Express Toughening explore everything you need to know about toughened glass, exploring everything from its robust construction to essential maintenance requirements, in this article!

What is toughened glass?

Toughened glass, also commonly referred to as tempered glass, is a type of safety glass that’s thermally treated to increase its strength.

This process makes toughened glass much stronger than standard, everyday alternatives, and is less of a safety concern if it breaks (although it’s extremely unlikely, thanks to its high impact resistance!).

How is toughened glass made?

So, now you know what toughened glass is…

But how is it made? Put simply, toughened glass is made by heating regular glass to a high temperature, before rapidly cooling it.

This process creates tension and compression in the glass, making it much stronger, safer, and more versatile, compared to other glass products.

Is toughened glass safe to use in my home?

Absolutely! In the unlikely event of toughened glass breaking, it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than large, sharp shards – thanks to enhanced impact resistance – making it much less likely to cause injury.

Toughened glass is also much more resistant to heat and can withstand rapid temperature changes, making it ideal for high-temperature areas and reducing the risk of thermal breakage.

What are the benefits of toughened glass?

Safety aside, there are many ways you can benefit from incorporating toughened glass into your home’s design, including:

• Sound reduction – Compared to standard glass, toughened glass boasts twice the soundproofing capabilities, making it ideal for noisier areas of the home.
• Heat resistance – Being able to withstand temperatures of up to 250°C, toughened glass is a great choice for fire surrounds, kitchen splashbacks, and other high-temperature applications around the home.

• Enhanced durability – Thanks to the extensive heating and rapid cooling treatment, toughened glass is much more durable and less prone to breakage, so is a great choice for balustrades, shelving, tabletops, and more!
• Versatility – Being clear, glass can be paired with all sorts of colours and textures, so it’s guaranteed to slot seamlessly in with the rest of your interior!

How long does toughened glass last?

Toughened glass can last in your home for many years, and in some cases, will stand strong for up to 30 years (or more!).

However, its exact longevity depends on several different factors, including installation, maintenance, and environmental conditions.

Poorly installed toughened glass won’t last as long as professionally installed pieces. And the better you maintain your toughened glass, the longer it’ll last in your home. Indoor applications also tend to last longer than outdoor applications that are exposed to harsh weather conditions.

To maintain toughened glass around your home, be it your balustrade, kitchen splashback, or anything else, dust it regularly with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, and gently clean it with a mild solution of warm water and dish soap. Make sure to steer clear of harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubbing tools, as these can cause damage to the surface of the glass, and avoid cleaning in direct sunlight to avoid streaks.

Order toughened glass online

Toughened glass is one of the safest choices for your home, and there are plenty of options available to shop online to enhance your space.

To find out more, or for help choosing the perfect glass products for your home, get in touch with the specialists over at Express Toughening today!

The post Everything you need to know about toughened glass appeared first on EMC UK.

Which is why homes, businesses, and public buildings often turn to glass partitions, doors, and windows to create sound-resistant barriers that also help spaces to feel brighter.

However, the effectiveness of this design depends on the type of glass used and the level of noise pollution you’re trying to block. Here’s a quick guide to how glass can help reduce sound transmission, which glass is best for the job, and where you can install it.

How can glass help to reduce noise pollution?

Depending on its thickness, glass can help to muffle sounds by deflecting and absorbing some of the energy as the sound vibrations pass through, making the noise quieter on the other side.

Its sound insulation properties can be increased by making the glass thicker, adding an interlayer between two layers of glass, or increasing the spacing between two layers of glass.

This is why double glazing and laminated glass are so frequently implemented in environments such as urban homes, transport hubs, and public, commercial, or educational facilities.

For glazing to be 100% soundproof, it would need to have a top Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of 65. Most glass that is used for ‘soundproofing’ has an average STC rating between 35 to 55 – for comparison, a single-pane glass window would likely be rated 25.

In other cases, sound reduction is simply noted in decibels (dB). For example, conversational noise is around 40 to 60dB and traffic on a busy road might exceed 70dB – you would therefore want glass that could reduce this by at least 30–40dB to a more tolerable level.

Reducing uncomfortable levels of noise is the key to creating a peaceful environment, which helps to decrease stress and improve concentration during the day and quality of sleep at night.

What type of glass is best for reducing noise?

Standard float glass is the most basic type available, and while its insulation can be improved with proper sealing, its sound reduction capabilities are minimal. If you want to reduce noise pollution with single-pane glass, it has to be thicker toughened glass.

Double glazing is a popular option for windows, as it features two panes of glass with air or inert gas filling the gap in between them, which helps reduce sound transmission up to an STC rating of 40. However, this method is on the expensive side and typically for exterior use.

An alternative to double glazing is laminated glass, which features two panes bonded together by a resin interlayer in the middle. Despite being thin and transparent, this interlayer – usually polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) – is effective at blocking sounds.

This type of glass also provides extra safety and security, as the interlayer holds the panes in place even if they shatter. Toughened laminated glass is even stronger and better at reducing sound transmission, especially when thicker panels of toughened glass are used.

The best glass for insulating against noise pollution depends on where you plan to use it, but in many cases, toughened laminated glass – sometimes called acoustic glass – is the best option.

As an extra benefit, laminated glass can insulate against heat transmission as well as sound transfer – helping to keep interiors warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Where can you use noise reduction glass?

Noise-reducing laminated glass can be used in all manner of scenarios, from residences to offices to public buildings. When used for full-height partition walls, doors, and windows, it can help to maintain a relaxing and productive environment.

With various thicknesses available, you’ll need to calculate the right size for your installation – for example, the reliable glass suppliers at The Glass Warehouse offer toughened laminated glass in thicknesses ranging from 10.8mm to 32mm, so you’re sure to find a suitable size.

Best of all, they can cut your glass to bespoke measurements and shapes, accounting for any cut-outs or drilled holes you might need to mount the glass effectively.

Suitable for glass walls, doors, balustrades, and even floors, your home or business can enjoy decreased noise pollution with properly installed toughened laminated glass.

The post What is the best glass for soundproofing? appeared first on EMC UK.

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.

The post Is toughened glass the right choice for my home? appeared first on EMC UK.