Toughened/Tempered Glass

Toughened or Tempered Glass is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared to normal/float glass. Glass is usually heated based on its thickness to a point where it nearly softens and is then rapidly cooled. Tempering causes the glass to break in granular chunks as compared to shards in annealed glass, making toughened glass absolutely safe. Tempered glass has a variety of applications such as passenger vehicle windows, components of bullet resistant glass, shower cubicles,buildings and structures, floors, roofs,railings etc. No physical changes such as cutting, grinding, drilling can be made once the glass is toughened. Toughened glass is four to five times stronger than annealed glass and two to three times stronger than heat strengthened glass. It can withstand temperature differences between -2 degrees C TO 300 degrees C. For glass to be considered toughened, the compressive strength on the surface should be 69 MPa or (10,000 psi), for it to be considered safety glass the compressive strength should exceed 100 MPa(15,000 psi).

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass can be used when noise reduction, UV protection, safety is required.Laminated glass can be annealed, heat strengthened or toughened. Laminated glass offers higher safety aspects as compared to only toughened glass because when laminated glass shatters or breaks, the pieces do not fall down as they stick to the interlayer sandwiched between the two sheets of glass. It has excellent noise reduction capabilities making it ideal for hospitals, airports, apartments.

Heat Strengthened Glass

Heat-strengthened glass is typically specified when additional strength is needed usually for annealed glass to resist wind pressure, thermal stress or both, and the additional strength or safety break pattern of fully tempered glass is not required. For heat-strengthened glass, the requirement is a surface compression of 3,500 to 7,500 psi. Heat strengthened glass is not as easily broken as annealed glass.

Frosted Glass

Frosted glass is produced by the sandblasting or acid etching of clear sheet glass. This creates a pitted surface on one side of the glass pane and has the effect of rendering the glass translucent by scattering the light which passes through, thus blurring images while still transmitting light. Domestic use of frosted glass are legion, just look around, it can be found in lamps, lighting fixtures, chandeliers, coffee tables, shelves, tables, frosted glass just wash, they are not left fingerprints. Sandblasting effect on the doors of the shower will help to create a beautiful look, make a pleasant stay in the bathroom. Matt door in the shower generally perform two functions, they decorate the bathroom and hide the water stains on the doors.

Etched Glass

Etched glass is frosted glass with custom or patterned etchings done with the help of a masking tape to create designs on the glass that alters the appearance of the glass. Etching can be done either by hand or with the help of a machine. Contrary to popular belief, acid-etched glass is not only suitable for interiors but can be readily used in exterior applications as well. This is ideally suited for reducing glare, diffusing light, providing privacy while maximising daylighting. Etched glass has numerous applications. Sealed units, spandrels, railings, canopies, skylights, interior partitions are a few to name.