Glass has always been the most widely used material for big business buildings, but the modern housing world has also incorporated it for aesthetics. Three main glass materials used for both commercial and house buildings are tempered glass, annealed glass, and laminated glass.
Before making your purchase, make sure to give this piece a good read to differentiate between the three.
- Manufacturing process
The annealed glass plates are heated up to 1110°F then the outer surface is cooled eventually. The outer surface of the glass contracts faster as the glass is exposed to cooling. It shatters in small pieces which makes it safer than annealed glass.
- Strength
The heating, cooling and chemical manufacturing process make the glass four times sturdier than any regular glass. It breaks into inch-size pieces without leaving any sharp edges to cause any harm when broken.
- Application
Tempered glass is used for interior safety purposes
- Houses can use tempered glass in their showers and tub doors
- Commercial buildings use tempered glass for big outside windows and doors
- Price Point
Tempered glass is expensive than annealed glass but cheap compared to laminated glass.
Annealed Glass
- Manufacturing process
Annealed glass is heated above 600 degrees and then cooled at a very controlled and slow rate. It is simple regular glass which breaks in large pieces.
- Strength
Annealed glass sheets are very thin. It is not sturdier than tempered and laminated glass.
- Application
Annealed glass is usually used in cabinets, shelves, and tabletops
- Price Point
It is cheaper than tempered and laminated glass.
Laminated Glass
- Manufacturing process
Laminated glass is a two tempered glass panels sandwich of thin ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or vinyl-either polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer. After shattering its broken pieces stay stuck with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or vinyl-either polyvinyl butyral layer.
- Strength
It is five times stronger than any ordinary glass.
- Application
It is most expensive; that is why often used in commercial buildings where safety is mainly concerned.
- Price Point
It is expensive than tempered glass.
