What is tempered glass?
Tempered glass is much harder than standard glass manufactured through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling. Regular, annealed glass undergoes a thermal tempering process that increases its strength and changes its composition to shatters differently. Due to the tempering process, when this type of glass is broken, it breaks into small, rounded chunks instead of sharp, jagged shards. Regular, untreated glass is known to shatter into sharp pieces called spall, which are a significant cause of injury in the cases of extreme weather or attacks like bomb blasts. Tempered glass is often referred to as “safety glass” for its ability to prevent spall and keep building occupants safe. Tempered glass is often used in car windows, shower doors, glass tables, and other installations where increased safety standards are necessary.