7 Myths About Tempered Glass
When the safety of your household is at stake, especially during South Florida’s hurricane season, you cannot rely on hearsay and myths. You need to trust the experts and prepare your home for any possibility. Your home needs impact windows and doors made from dependable, quality tempered glass. Let us debunk some of the common myths related to tempered glass and get some clear facts to help you make informed choices for your home and safety.
Myth #1: Tempered glass is merely a strong plastic material.
One of the prevalent myths about tempered glass is that it is not actually glass, but plastic. The fact is that tempered glass has nothing to do with plastic. It is pure glass that is superheated and chemically treated to make it far more resilient and stronger than regular or safety glass.
Myth #2: Tempered glass is the same as impact glass.
Tempered glass is impact glass, but not all so-called impact glass is the same as tempered glass. The subtle difference is that while cheaper versions of impact glass can be produced without using the heating process, glass tempering is always done by using a superheating process. Tempered glass made in a tempering oven is five to ten times stronger than ordinary glass.
Myth #3: Tempered glass can be dangerous when it breaks.
Tempered glass is not only far stronger than standard annealed glass, but it is also much safer for the home occupants in the rare event of damage to this strong, storm-resistant glass. Unlike regular glass, tempered glass is coated with a chemically blended safety glaze. The chemical bonding prevents tempered glass fractures that cause it to break into dangerous, jagged shards. This makes it much safer compared to traditional glass.
Myth #4: Temperature fluctuations will cause cracks in tempered glass.
Not true. On the contrary, the tempering process causes the glass molecules to bond so closely that it becomes resilient to volatile temperature fluctuations. The stress from frequent weather changes can cause cracks or chips in standard glass, but tempered glass will be able to withstand temperature variations for years without any damage.
Moreover, it has high thermal resistance because it goes through an extreme heating and cooling process, unlike annealed glass. As a result, the toughened glass won’t weaken or melt even when the outer surfaces are exposed to direct heat. To give it the strength and desired shape, the tempering process begins with heat treatment and culminates with a high pressure cooling procedure.
Myth #5: Tempered glass will develop scratches more easily.
Tempered glass is not only designed to resist damage from strong force, but it is also highly scratch-resistant. Where regular glass will get scratches and start showing wear and tear after an extended period of use, the tempered glass surface will continue to look new, smooth, and clear for years to come.
For this reason, tempered glass is used for both commercial and residential spaces, as well as for various applications where “see-through” glass is necessary, such as walkways, laboratory equipment, and automobiles (front, back, side, and rear windows).
Myth #6: Tempered glass is bulletproof glass.
Although tempered glass will protect your home against flying debris in a hurricane storm in Florida, it does not mean that it can withstand the force of a bullet from a close range. A bullet will most likely pierce through tempered glass. However, the glass won’t shatter into small pieces or shards with sharp edges so it is better than normal glass.
It is important to be aware that temper glass is not designed to protect against extremely high velocity projectiles, such as bullets.
Myth #7: Tempered glass can resist a fire.
Although tempered glass is made with a thermal tempering process, it is not meant to be fire-resistant or fireproof. To a certain degree, this glass can be microwaved or go through heat treatment without any damage. However, when it is exposed directly to fire or very high heat levels, the heated glass will eventually warp and melt.
Rely on ASP Windows and Doors for Top-Quality Tempered Glass
When you reside in South Florida, impact resistance and hurricane resistance should be your first priority while choosing windows and doors for your home. ASP Windows and Doors can offer customizable windows and doors with tempered glass for your home. Our design consultants will guide you to the right product range that meets your home safety and décor needs as well as fits your budget most effectively.
ASP is insured and licensed, with Ygrene-certified contractors backed by an award-winning team that is ready to offer you dedicated solutions, service, and installation. Need a helping hand with your storm preparations? Speak to us at 305-513-0514 or fill out this online contact form to schedule a consultation.
