Of course, tempered glass is more expensive than standard annealed glass because of the strength, clarity, and safety it provides. The heavier expense is not merely due to the features but the complexity of the manufacturing process and finishing. For this reason, toughened glass is preferred over regular glass. However, what if you bought a tempered safety glass but have some doubts about whether it's actually the tempered glass or the fake one. Read this blog to learn about tempered glass vs regular glass so you can easily differentiate one from the other.
Before moving ahead, let’s explore a bit the manufacturing process of both glass types.
Regular Glass Manufacturing Process
Glass is manufactured by melting two kinds of materials: sand and recycled glass. These materials are melted together in a furnace at an extremely high temperature of around 2700℉. After the mixture is melted down well, it is removed from the furnace to give the required shape and size, through an ordinary cooling process. Due to cooling rapidly, the regular glass is brittle and may crack or break down with some impact.
A Brief Description of Tempered Glass Manufacturing
Tempered glass manufacturing is a bit complicated compared to regular glass manufacturing. The glass is cut to the required size and shape before finalizing it into the toughened glass because its cutting is impossible after manufacturing is done. Once the required shape of the glass is made, experts check the glass to remove cracks and bubbles if any because their presence may damage the glass during the tempering process.
After all the bubbles are removed, the glass is put into the furnace where it is heated at around 1100℉. Next, high-pressure cold air is blasted through different angles for up to 10 seconds. This process cools down the glass outer layer at a much faster rate than its inner layer while making compression and tension at the respective layers. The final product is known as tempered or toughened glass.
Tempered Glass vs. Regular Glass: How to See Difference?
Check the Edges Closely
The edges of tempered glass appear smoother and planer compared to regular glass. It is because tempered glass goes under an extensive treatment that results in extra fine edge finishing. So, you should rub the edges with your finger and see whether you feel a smooth or a rough surface. Any indication of a little roughness would make it clear that the glass is not the tempered one.
Check a Tiny Label If Bought From A Reputable Glass Brand
A tiny sandblasted lab is usually found at the corner of the glass if it is purchased from a good brand. No company is allowed to disrepute its image if the glass is not genuinely the exact type as mentioned in the company label. Of course, a brand is the name of the trust. If you want to buy tempered glass from a trusted brand, visit the Glass Genius marketplace where the most reputable brands offer different types of glass with guaranteed quality.
However, some brands do not use labels on the glass pane. Instead, they use a concealed stamp on the frame. In that case, you must look at other ways to see whether the glass is tempered or regular.
Imperfection Not Always Means Ordinary Quality
When you closely see the glass against the natural daylight coming from the sky, you may notice slight dimples on its surface. Tempered glass has a slightly warped reflection compared to regular glass, which gives a clear and smooth reflection. This appears in tempered safety glass due to the exposure to high pressure of cold air during the manufacturing process. The strong heat and pressure often leave mild imperfections on the glass surface that are noticeable only by a close inspection.
See the Glass Using Polarized Lenses
You may test the glass with the help of polarized lenses or sunglasses to check if the glass is regular or toughened. When you see warped colors with black shades along the corner side, it indicates the glass is tempered. Otherwise, a plain dark surface confirms that you have an ordinary glass.
If Nothing Works, Score a Line with a Glass Cutter Pen
After applying all the ways described above, and you are still unsure, score a line with the glass cutting tool. A smooth and straight line will ensure that the glass is of regular type, known as annealed glass. On the other hand, if you notice a slight zigzag while cutting the glass, that’s a prime indication of real tempered glass.
Note that you should test this method only if you notice all other methods give the implication of regular glass. This is advised because the glass may get damaged with the cutting tool if it is tempered glass. Hence, it is better to take the glass to a specialist who can check it while avoiding possible cracks on the glass surface.
Bottom-line
Differentiating a tempered glass from a regular one is quite a tricky task. Normally, people come to know whether their glass is tempered only after it breaks down into small pieces of rounded chunks. However, with the help of a few tests as described above, you can certainly identify whether you have tempered glass or an ordinary glass without breaking it down. Also, it is strongly advisable to buy the tempered safety glass only from a trusted brand to ensure that the glass is genuinely toughened.
