Tempered glass, also known as toughened glass, is extra strong due to a special heat or chemical treatment. This process makes the outside hard and the inside resistant to breaking.
Tempered glass is a smart construction material, commonly used in construction and repairs. It is a tough, protective glass that is resistant to breakage and impact. Usually used in kitchens, doors, storage areas, and fences, there are different types of tempered glass available in Pakistan, including bullet-proof glass and laminated glass.
Graana.com has discussed all the types of tempered glass used in Pakistan, so you can choose the most appropriate one for your requirements.
What Is Tempered Glass?
There are many types of glass used in construction and tempered glass is one of them. The term refers to a variety of glass that has been subjected to extreme heat and pressure. The glass is then cooled down at a slow rate so that it has the desired hardness and strength. This process is known as tempering.
Tempered glass can be used for numerous purposes, including windows, doors, facades, glazing, shower screens, and more. The main reason why glass is preferred over other materials is that it is heat-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures.
Benefits of Tempered Glass
The different advantages of tempered glass are as follows:
Enhanced strength and stiffness
As compared to other types of glass, it is more resistant to high-impact forces, resulting in enhanced stiffness and strength
Safety
Tempered glass can withstand high temperatures without breaking or cracking. This makes it the ideal choice for use in areas with extremely hot or cold weather conditions
Weathering resistance
The surface of this glass offers better resistance against weathering than other types of glass, making it suitable for exterior-facing applications such as windows and doors
Low thermal expansion
The low thermal expansion coefficient of this glass makes it ideal for use in areas where temperature changes occur rapidly, such as in swimming pools and refrigerators.
Types of Tempered Glass Used in Construction
Following are the six different types of glass mainly used in construction.
- Laminated Safety Glass
- Tempered Safety Glass
- Energy-Efficient Glass
- Bent Tempered Glass
- Double Glazing
- Decorated Glass
Laminated Safety Glass
Laminated safety glass is a type of tempered glass made by sandwiching two or more layers of this glass together.
It is much stronger than regular safety glass and provides extra protection against physical damage like impact, heat and cold, which means that it can withstand extreme temperatures as well.
Tempered Safety Glass
Tempered glass is a type of glass that has been heated and cooled multiple times to produce a tougher and more durable product. The process involves heating lead or tin until they become liquid, and then cooling them in an oven to form a rigid metal.
This process is repeated multiple times until the metal becomes so hard that it can be cut with simple household tools; this also makes it much more resistant to shattering.
The benefit of this glass is that it is more shatter-proof than regular glass, which makes it much safer. In addition, it is also easier to clean.
Aside from being used in construction projects, you might also find this type of window in commercial buildings where there is a high risk of breakage due to frequent or unexpected impact with other objects in their surroundings.
Energy-Efficient Glass
Energy-efficient glass is a type of tempered glass that has low thermal conductivity. This helps reduce heat loss and energy loss – increasing the efficiency of buildings and home appliances. Therefore, it is also known as low-emissivity glass.
It has been designed for maximum efficiency in a variety of climates. An oversized frame that is usually made from thermally insulating materials like acrylic or polycarbonate, it reduces heat transfer.
Energy-efficient glass reduces energy consumption by up to 40%. It is made from high-quality raw materials and has a thickness of 0.35 mm.
The benefit of using energy-efficient glass in construction is that it increases the lifespan of the window by reducing its susceptibility to breakage caused by temperature changes.
The usage of this type of glass in construction is not limited to residential buildings alone; it can also be used in commercial buildings such as shops, restaurants, and offices.
Bent Tempered Glass
Bent tempered glass is a type of glass that has an angle on the surface. This means that it has some variation in temperature across its surface. This can be very useful in construction because you can use bent glass to build windows.
Tempered glass generally itself is shatter-proof and very strong. It also has a high resistance to thermal shock. This makes it ideal for use in automotive applications such as windscreens and sunroofs.
Plus, if you want your window to be curved or bent, then bent tempered glass should be used instead of regular glass as the latter is not suitable for such applications.
Bent tempered glass also has many advantages such as:
Shatterproof – Bent tempered glass is less vulnerable to breaking than regular tempered glass due to the varying degrees of curvature on its surface. It can withstand impacts better, and will not shatter into pieces if forcefully hit with a hammer or other tool.
Stronger – Bent tempered glass has higher tensile strength.
Double Glazing
Double-glazing tempered glass is designed to protect against heat and thermal shock. This makes it more resistant to breakage than normal glass.
It is available in different forms, each with different properties and uses. Some of these are:
Double-glazing tempered glass for car windows
This type of double-glazing tempered glass is used in the construction industry for window frames, windshields, doors, and other car parts. These pieces are made from anodised aluminium or stainless steel and are durable enough to withstand extreme temperatures without breaking or cracking.
Double-glazing tempered glass for office buildings
This form of double-glazing tempered glass is commonly used on walls and windows in office buildings because it is easy to clean and maintain. The material also provides good sound insulation and fire resistance features.
Double-glazing tempered glass for homes
Double-glazing tempered glass can be found in many houses due to its ability to provide energy efficiency benefits. It is effective in retaining heat during winters; the air between each glass pane adds another layer of insulation, boosting heat resistance.
During summers, it prevents heat transfer from the outside to the inside. You can stay cool without opening windows or turning on an air conditioner.
Decorated Glass
Decorated tempered glass is a type of clear glass, which has been treated with a decorative film to enhance its appearance. It is usually made up of a thin layer of resin and is applied on the surface of the glass.
This enhances its aesthetic value but does not affect its structural integrity. It can be applied by etching, painting, or printing.
Decorated glass is used to construct windows, doors, security screens, shower enclosures, etc. to make them more attractive and cost-effective.
There are two main benefits of using decorated tempered glass
Safety: The transparent nature of the glass makes it safer than regular glass because it does not have sharp edges and corners, reducing the risk of getting cut by accident.
Strength: Decorated tempered glass has a higher strength value than other types of tempered glass (e.g. normal and mirror). This is because the decorative layers are thicker than the normal layers and increase overall strength.
Protection: It provides protection to the building against external elements, such as rain and wind, which can damage building materials.
Decoration: The decoration on the surface of the tempered glass makes it look attractive.
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