Blog Layout
More Info on Glass Types from Your Image Glass Installer
In past blog posts, we’ve talked about tempered glass commercial application usage as well as its use in glass shower doors. In the field, an image glass installer will get questions about different types of glass and its strength. Based on those questions, we decided to provide a primer on how tempered glass and heated glass are made and what properties they bring to safety.
Both heat-strengthened and tempered glass are manufactured using a hat treating process with the same processing equipment. The glass is heated to 1200 degrees in each process followed by forced cooling for surface and edge compression. The process used is determined by the specific application of the glass.
Glass distortion may also occur due to strain patterns in heat-treated glass or interference fringe patterns in the fabrication of insulating glass units. Because of its fluidity at higher temperatures, glass also is inherently susceptible to roller wave, bow and warp while it is being heat-treated.
To make heat-strengthened glass, the glass is reheated after forming to just below melting point and then air-cooled more slowly than tempered glass. This slower cooling forms a compressed surface, which increases its strength to approximately twice as strong as annealed or untreated glass.
Tempered glass
As discussed in past blogs, tempered glass (or safety glass) is typically specified for security. It is often used in patio and entrance doors, sidelites and other locations where the safety of occupants is paramount in the event of broken glass. When shattered, tempered glass breaks into thousands of small particles.
The manufacturing process for tempered glass involves reheating it to nearly the melting point. It is then quickly air-cooled to create the necessary surface and edge compression. This process makes the glass nearly five times stronger and safer than annealed or untreated glass, which reduces the chances of thermal breakage.
Heat-strengthened glass
Heat-strengthened glass also provides additional strength for things like wind pressure resistance, thermal stress or both, but is more along the lines of two to three times a strong as annealed or untreated glass. That means it is used in situations where wind and thermal pressure resistance are needed but fully tempered glass is not a requirement.
A common use of heat-strengthened glass is in spandrel glass where the opaque nature is meant to conceal features between the floors of a building, including vents, wires, slab ends and mechanical equipment. An advantage of heat-strengthened glass is that, when broken, the glass fragments are more similar in size and shape to annealed glass fragments and thus tend to stay in the opening longer than fully tempered glass particles. Although heat-strengthened glass is not a safety glazing by building code, this breakage pattern prevents the glass from falling and injuring someone.
Effects of heat-treating glass
The process of heat strengthening glass and tempering glass can leave some optical image distortion depending on a number of variable factors including:
- Glazing pressure
- Wind load
- Temperature and barometric pressure changes
- Altitude changes between manufacturing and installation environment
Glass distortion may also occur due to strain patterns in heat-treated glass or interference fringe patterns in the fabrication of insulating glass units. Because of its fluidity at higher temperatures, glass also is inherently susceptible to roller wave, bow and warp while it is being heat-treated.
To minimize the potential impact of the glass distortion that is inherent with heat-treating processes, many commercial projects will call for the installation of thicker glass that is less prone to distortion. Next time we’ll discuss different types of glass where clarity, heat transfer and other comfort and aesthetic aspects come into play for commercial and residential glass for architectural glass installation.
At Image Glass, our glass installer and glass repair experts have a great deal of knowledge about how different types of glass are manufactured and the best practices for use and installation. This enables them to ensure your satisfaction and safety today and tomorrow.
To learn more about how the Image Glass team can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551
to speak to one of our glass specialists.
We are excited to announce Image Glass has grown & acquired Hillsborough Glass Company! Kurt is the new owner of Hillsborough Glass, which will now be known as Image Glass LLC with 2 locations- Monmouth Junction and Hillsborough. Hillsborough Glass began in 1976 with George “Chip” Christiansen. John Harenza began working for him in 1977. John took over Hillsborough Glass in 2002 and has been in the industry for 43 years. Kurt worked summers at Hillsborough Glass growing up, and started officially working at Hillsborough Glass in 2000 to learn the trade. In 2003 he went off on his own to create Image Glass LLC. in Monmouth Junction NJ. Hillsborough Glass and Image glass have always worked hand in hand over the last 20 years with Hillsborough Glass serving Somerset County and Image Glass serving Middlesex County. Even though our name is changing, you will still see the same friendly faces, as our friend John is staying on board as well as the rest of the team. We are so excited to now be servicing Somerset County with our new name Image Glass moving forward!
Not every homeowner wants clear glass shower doors for their bathroom, which can be due to a variety of reasons ranging from how the family uses it and privacy concerns to purely aesthetic preferences.
Saunas may not be for everybody, but some homeowners dream of having one as part of their bathroom remodel. It’s possible to have your combined shower & sauna with a steam shower.
Your Image Glass New Jersey glass installer stays updated on the local and Universal Building Codes that must be adhered to when it comes to commercial glass installation such as with glass doors and windows.
Using a squeegee immediately after using the shower isn’t always practical. Here are specific dos and don’ts for protecting your investment in your custom shower doors.
Are low maintenance glass coatings the best solution for you? Here are some of the facts surrounding glass coatings you can take into consideration.
The right glass installer can allay fears of bringing the winter indoors during the glass installation process. Here is what you should expect.
Every homeowner has a different interpretation of what constitutes a small project or a big project. That interpretation can change when it comes to looking at whether it can by a DIY project for custom glass installation.
When you have custom shower doors and enclosures designed and installed by Image Glass, that gets you off on the right foot in terms of quality and safety.
By providing an overview of the trends in storefront glass, NJ businesses can get a better idea of what is involved in its changes or additions to their buildings.