Glass plays a crucial role in the construction of all types of commercial buildings, not only enhancing aesthetics but also ensuring the safety of your staff, clients, and customers.
From high-rise windows and doors to glass balustrades and partitions, there are many different ways you can incorporate glass into your workplace. But the type of glass you choose (standard annealed glass, toughened glass, etc) can significantly impact the performance and durability of your building.
So, which is best – toughened or regular glass?
The experts at EGW share everything you need to know in this blog to help you make an informed decision for your commercial construction project.
First things first, what is toughened glass?
Put simply, toughened or tempered glass is a type of safety glass that’s made by heating a sheet of annealed glass to around 650°C before rapidly cooling it with blasts of cool air.
This process creates compressive strength on the surface and tensile strength in the core, making it up to five times stronger than other types of glass.
How is toughened glass different from standard, everyday glass?
There are several differences between toughened and regular glass, including:
- Strength and durability – As previously mentioned, toughened glass is up to five times stronger than regular annealed glass, which means it’s much more durable and highly resistant to impacts.
- Safety features – Unlike regular glass, which shatters into large, sharp shards when broken, toughened glass shatters into small, blunt pieces to reduce the risk of cuts, socrates, and other potentially nasty injuries.
- Thermal resistance – Whereas annealed glass can only withstand temperatures of around 120°C, toughened glass can handle those of up to 250°C, as well as rapid temperature changes, making it ideal for higher-temperature applications.
- Cost consideration – Regular glass tends to be more affordable than toughened alternatives but may need to be replaced more often, making it a much pricier option in the long term.
- Design and aesthetics – Toughened glass allows for larger panels, which can help you achieve a brighter, more modern-looking space.
So, which glass is best for my commercial building project?
Whether it’s a retail store or office building, the type of glass you choose for your commercial building is incredibly important.
There are a few key things to consider to help you decide:
- Building type – From office spaces and retail stores to healthcare facilities and warehouses, toughened glass is the perfect choice for all kinds of commercial building projects where durability and safety are the top priorities.
- Location – High-rise buildings, as well as buildings in high-traffic urban areas and coastal areas, should utilise toughened glass as it provides better resistance to impacts and can better withstand daily wear and tear. Regular glass may be sufficient for buildings in remote, lower-risk areas.
- Safety regulations – Many commercial buildings are required to use toughened glass in high-impact areas, and it may be a requirement to reduce liability risks for some insurance policies.
- Budget – Noted previously, toughened glass is more expensive than regular annealed glass, so consider which best fits your budget and aligns with your construction requirements.
Order bespoke toughened glass products online
Whether you need help choosing the perfect toughened glass products for your commercial building or would like to find out more about the benefits, the experts at EGW would be happy to assist.
Get in touch with their team today or browse their range of toughened glass products online!