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Wholesale tempered glass comes in many types. They are available in several thicknesses and sizes. The common types include;
Heat Strengthened Glass
This type of glass is not as strong or safe as tempered glass. But it is stronger than regular glass. Builders use it for interior windows, doors, and partitions. The heat-strengthened glass undergoes a heating and cooling process, which reduces chances of spontaneous breakage.
Annealed or Float Glass
This is regular glass that is not yet tempered. It is weak and can break into sharp pieces. Tempering the glass makes it four to five times stronger. The float glass is suitable for picture frames but not for windows.
Toughened Glass
Toughened and tempered glasses are the same. The toughened glass goes through a heating and cooling process that increases its strength. It also resists changes in temperature. The toughened glass is suitable for shower doors, glass doors, partitions, and facades.
Decorative Tempered Glass
The decorative tempered glass has a unique finish. It comes in etching, patterns, painting, and frosting. The decoration enhances the beauty of the space. This glass type is also suitable for indoor railings, shower doors, and room dividers.
Low Iron Tempered Glass
All types of tempered glass have iron content. However, the low iron glass has very little iron. It offers better clarity and allows more light to pass through. The low iron glass is suitable for solar panels, display cases, aquariums, and glass railings.
Insulated or Laminated Tempered Glass
This glass has two or more glass layers. The layers are separated by a space filled with argon gas or air. The insulated glass reduces heat transfer between its layers. It helps to keep rooms at the desired temperature. The glass is often used for exterior windows. On the other hand, the laminated tempered glass consists of two or more layers bonded together with a PVB or SGP interlayer. It offers enhanced protection against UV rays, noise, and impact.
Colored Tempered Glass
The colored tempered glass comes in different colors. The coloring process gives it a rich, deep hue. This glass also retains its color in changing temperatures. It is suitable for stained glass windows, curtain walls, and room dividers.
Tempered glass serves versatile uses across varied industries. Here are some major applications:
Building and Construction
Tempered glass has significant uses in contemporary architecture. It features extensive glass walls, doors, and windows in both residential and commercial buildings. Since tempered glass can bear load and resist impact, it is safer to use in high-rise buildings, curtain walls, and facades.
Automotive Industry
The main reasons wholesale tempered glass is needed is to provide strength and shatter resistance. It's commonly used to make side windows, rear windows, sunroofs, and windshields in cars, buses, and trains. When an automobile accident occurs and the vehicle's glass parts break, tempered glass breaks into small, blunt pieces that do not seriously injure anyone.
Furniture and Interior Design
Details such as tempered glass tabletops, shelves, and doors greatly beautify interior spaces. This elegantly designed glass is used in furniture, cabinets, partitions, and balustrades. It is durable and able to withstand scratch and stain. The options of clear, frosted or tinted glass make it possible to match different design styles.
Shower Enclosures
In the modern sanitary ware industry, tempered glass shower doors provide a stylish and functional solution for enclosures. Glass shower cubicles made with tempered glass are stronger, longer-lasting, and less likely to crack or lose their beauty than ordinary glass.
Sports and Security
From basketball courts to ice rinks, tempered glass creates strong barriers to protect players and spectators. High-impact glass is used to build shields and barriers that can withstand heavy blows and impacts. Also, this durable glass is applied in certain security fields, such as blast-resistant windows for embassies and data centers.
Household Appliances
Tempered glass heats up rapidly and cools down quickly without breaking. This makes it suitable for oven doors, cooktops, and fireplace screens. The glass can withstand thermal stress and enhance the safety and efficiency of modern kitchen tools.
With many suppliers of high-strength tempered glass, it is crucial to choose a supplier who provides high-quality, durable products. Here are some tips to help bulk purchasers make the right choice.
Q1 Is all tempered glass made to the same standard?
A1 No, tempered glass has different holding and production processes per regional standards. It is very important for buyers to know which standard their market requires and source glass manufactured under that standard.
Q2 Does tempered glass break?
A2 Yes, but unlike regular glass, tempered glass shatters into small non-sharp pieces that are less harmful. This glass is often used in areas where safety is a priority, such as shower doors and car side windows.
Q3 What are the differences between annealed glass and tempered glass?
A3 Tempered glass is much stronger than ordinary or annealed glass. The latter breaks easily, while tempered glass is treated with heat to make it stronger. It also has more resistance to impact and thermal change than ordinary glass.
Q4 Is there a difference between laminated glass and tempered glass?
A4 Yes. Laminated glass vs tempered glass have different properties. Laminated glass is made of two or more glass sheets bonded with an interlayer, usually EVA or PVB, whereas tempered glass is subjected to heat treatment. This treatment fuses the outer layer of glass with the inner layer to make it strong. Laminated glass, when broken, does not shatter. The innermost interlayer helps keep the glass bonded together. Laminated glass provides UV protection, shatter resistance, and noise controls, while tempered glass offers improved safety through explosion, impact, and shatter resistance. Each glass offers unique benefits depending on the application, such as windows, doors, windshields, facades, or interior partitions.
Q5 How can buyers distinguish between tempered and non-tempered glass?
A5 Look for any etchings or labels on the glass. In areas with high temperatures, the glass may not have a marking due to the marking getting washed away during the heat process. Also, buyers can check the edges; usually, toughened glass will have polished or smooth edges.