Toughened glass – or tempered glass – is a type of safety glass that undergoes controlled heat or chemical processes to increase its strength. This process results in a sheet of glass that is four to five times stronger than standard annealed glass and much harder to break.

Tough glass has a number of benefits over normal float glass and can be used to replace or supplement traditional glazing in windows, doors and partition walls for both domestic and commercial purposes. It is also resistant to a range of environmental factors, making it ideal for outdoor areas where sunlight can be unevenly absorbed and create stress on exterior glass surfaces.

It can be utilised as an anti-vandal feature on windows, door frames and partition walls in high rise buildings to protect people and property from damage and theft. It is also an effective way of reducing the amount of noise that reaches homes or offices in busy areas, and is particularly popular for use in hospitals, schools and airports.

When broken, toughened glass shatters into small cube-like pieces that are less likely to cause harm than jagged shards of regular annealed glass. These granular pieces are less dangerous than the larger shards that can be left behind when glass breaks, which can easily pierce the skin and cause deep cuts.

This is a huge safety advantage over conventional annealed glass, which can break into large pieces that can be quite hard to remove. These large shards can be difficult to clean up and may be liable to fly a considerable distance when they do break, so it’s important to consider this when choosing a replacement window or building.

Toughened glass is also very durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions. It is commonly used for glass doors, windows and partition walls in areas with high wind, snow and thermal loads, which can cause annealed glass to break or crack.

The best way to ensure that your toughened glass is safe is to choose a supplier who offers a comprehensive quality guarantee on all their products. This will ensure that you will be able to return it to the supplier if you are unhappy with the performance of your toughened glass.

Another benefit of toughened glass is that it can be shaped, cut, drilled, frosted or etched to provide privacy or enhance the appearance. You can even transform your toughened glass into switchable glass, which means that you can control the level of privacy in a room with just a push of a button.

In addition to this, toughened glass is very low maintenance and easy to clean. You can clean it with a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner such as ammonia or water.

Alternatively, you can buy a specialist cleaning product that will not deteriorate the surface of your toughened glass and can be re-used time and time again to keep it looking its best. In fact, many companies will offer an extensive range of cleaning solutions to suit your particular application.