Glass is not merely a fragile and sharp material—quite the contrary! Let’s learn more about the various types of durable glass…
Tempered glass
Especially strong, tempered glass is produced using a specific manufacturing process and is classified as safety glass. The glass is uniformly annealed, then heated to approximately 700°C and rapidly cooled by an air blast at 300°C. The rapid cooling gives it physical benefits that affect the compressive forces at the surface and the tensile forces inside.
What are the uses of tempered glass?
This exceptional strength makes it the ideal material for indoor and outdoor applications, in both residential and commercial settings, such as:
- a floor,
- stair treads,
- a piece of furniture, such as a coffee table top,
- a guardrail on a balcony or mezzanine,
- a skylight installed in a ceiling, etc.
Its impact resistance makes tempered glass a durable material in all weather conditions, while also reducing the risk of cuts. In fact, it is virtually impossible to pierce, and when it breaks, it shatters into very small cubes rather than long, sharp shards.
Laminated or stratified glass
This time, laminated glass, also called stratified glass, is made by layering sheets of glass on either side of a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).
What are the advantages of laminated glass?
The presence of PVB or EVA gives glass several advantages, including:
- the ability to texture it, colour it or engrave patterns on it,
- reduced exterior noise,
- UV ray filtration,
- protection against break-ins because it crumbles upon impact but does not come apart, etc.
These options make it perfect for decorative applications, as it becomes a solid yet highly customizable element. Its safety and design make it, for example, the perfect choice for any glass shower partition design.
For more information about high-end safety glass, contact Vitrerie Justalex, serving Montreal’s South Shore, and bring your projects to life!
