Glass Types

Tempered Glass Vs. Regular Glass

What is Tempered Glass?

Tempered glass is a type of safety glass designed for strength and durability. Made by heating annealed glass to around 1,150ºF and quickly cooling it through a process called quenching, it becomes up to four times stronger than regular glass.

Uses and Benefits:

Commonly used in sliding doors, shower enclosures, windows, storefronts, partitions, and display cases, tempered glass is ideal for areas requiring enhanced safety and durability.
It meets federal safety glazing standards (CPSC 16 CFR 1201), ensuring that when it breaks, it shatters into small, harmless pieces to reduce injury risks.

Caution:

While it is perfect for most residential and commercial applications, tempered glass should not be used in areas exposed to temperatures above 400ºF, as it may lose its strength.

Choose tempered glass for your home or business to combine safety, style, and reliability. It’s the ultimate solution for modern, secure spaces.

Clear Glass Vs. Low Iron Glass

While “clear” is in its name, clear glass is not the clearest type you can get.
Due to the higher iron content, clear glass has a greenish tint.

Low-iron glass, also known as Starfire glass or optically clear glass
This type of glass is clearer and doesn’t have a greenish tint, allowing up to 91% of light to pass through, compared to just 83% with regular clear glass.

Insulating Glass

Insulating glass, also known as double-glazing or double-pane glass, is designed for energy efficiency and temperature control. It features two or more layers of glass separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space and sealed around the edges. This design reduces heat transfer, making it ideal for homes and businesses.

Insulated glass units (IGUs) can be incorporated with tempered glass, laminated glass, colored glass, or low-E glass for enhanced performance. They come in various thicknesses, typically ranging from 1/8″ to 3/8″, with special applications allowing for even thicker options.

The lifespan of an IGU depends on factors like material quality, installation location, and maintenance. Most units last 10 to 25 years, but windows facing harsh conditions may have a shorter lifespan of around 10 years.

Choose insulating glass for improved energy efficiency, reduced noise, and a comfortable indoor environment. It’s the perfect solution for modern, eco-friendly buildings.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is typically used for safety or security glass. In case of accidents or break-ins, The glass will hold together from shattering.

It is simply made by sandwiching layers of polyvinyl or interlayer material in between two or more glass layers.

High temperature and pressure are applied in the process to eliminate air bubbles from the glass layers, forming a tough seal. The layers are bonded permanently using both mechanical and chemical bonds.

Pattern Glass

Bay Area Glass and Windows offers a wide variety of patterned, obscure, and textured glass products.

Tempering is available on certain patterns. Choose a pattern you are interested in and call us today for a free quote.

Acrylic Boards

A transparent, solid sheet made of acrylic resins. Some common brand names are Plexiglas®, Perspex, and Lucite®.

Uses:

Acrylic sheets are lightweight, tough, and colorless, with excellent clarity and outdoor weather resistance.

Acrylic sheets are used for safety glass, aircraft canopies, windows, skylights, signs, instrument dials, tail light lenses, lighting fixtures, optical lenses, storage and display cases, and bulletproof glass.

Caution:

Compared to glass, acrylic is lighter and shatter-resistant but more susceptible to scratching and transmission of UV.

Acrylic sheets come in sizes:

1/16″ , 1/8″ , 3/16″ , 1/4″ , 3/8″ , 1/2″ , 3/4″ ,1″ , 1.25″ , 1.5″ , 2″ , 2.5″ , 3″ , 4″

CA State License 1088433

Glass Types

Tempered Glass Vs. Regular Glass

Clear Glass Vs. Low Iron Glass

Regular, Clear Glass.

Low-Iron Glass.

Insulating Glass

Laminated Glass

Pattern Glass

Acrylic Boards

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