Toughened glass
Toughened glass is heat-treated safety glass, several times stronger than ordinary glass, that breaks into small blunt pieces. We cut, edge and drill it to your sizes in Dublin.
What is toughened glass?
Toughened glass, also called tempered glass, starts as ordinary float glass. It is heated to around 620 °C and then cooled rapidly with jets of air. The surfaces cool and shrink first, which locks compression into the outside of the pane and tension into the core. The result is roughly four to five times stronger than clear float glass of the same thickness, and far more resistant to sudden temperature changes.
If it does break, toughened glass shatters into small, relatively harmless granules instead of long, sharp shards. That is why it is classed as a safety glass and is used in doors, low-level glazing, showers and furniture. You can read more about the physics of tempered glass on Wikipedia.
There is one important limit: toughened glass cannot be cut, drilled or edged once it has been toughened. Any attempt will make the whole pane break. Every size, hole, notch and cut-out has to be finished first, so we confirm your final dimensions and hardware positions before the glass goes into the furnace.
Toughened glass specification
- Thicknesses from 4 to 19 mm
- Clear, low-iron, tinted, satin and patterned glass
- Manufactured to EN 12150
- Heat-soaked option to EN 14179
- Edgework, holes, notches and cut-outs before toughening
- Can be laminated or made into double-glazed units
How we make toughened glass to order
- Measure and confirm. You send sizes, a sketch or a template. We check thickness, edge finish and the position of every hole and hinge cut-out with you.
- Cut and process. The float glass is cut to size, then edged, drilled and notched while it can still be worked.
- Toughen. Each pane is heated and quenched, then stamped to show it meets EN 12150.
- Inspect and deliver. Panes are checked, protected and delivered on A-frames or packed for collection.
Choosing the right toughened glass
The right thickness depends on the size of the pane and how it is supported. As a rough guide, 4–6 mm suits cabinet doors, small shelves and picture-sized panels; 6–8 mm suits splashbacks, bath screens and framed doors; 8–10 mm suits shower enclosures and table tops; and 10–12 mm or more suits frameless doors, partitions and large panels. We will always recommend a thickness for your exact size and fixing method.
For balustrades, roof glazing and other places where a broken pane must stay in place, toughened glass on its own is not enough. Choose toughened laminated glass instead, so the layers are held together by the interlayer. We also recommend heat-soaking for large or overhead panels, which reduces the small risk of spontaneous breakage caused by nickel sulphide inclusions.
Typical uses for toughened glass
- Glass doors, side panels and low-level glazing
- Shower enclosures and bath screens
- Kitchen splashbacks behind hobs
- Shelves, table tops and furniture glass
- Office glass partitions
Toughened glass FAQs
Can toughened glass be cut after it is made?
No. Cutting, drilling or grinding toughened glass releases the stress in the pane and it shatters. All processing is done before toughening, so it is important to confirm sizes and hole positions first.
How can I tell if glass is toughened?
Toughened safety glass carries a small permanent stamp in one corner that references EN 12150 and the manufacturer. Without a stamp, it is hard to be sure, so treat unmarked glass as ordinary annealed glass.
What is heat-soaked toughened glass?
Heat-soaking is an extra test to EN 14179. The toughened glass is held at high temperature for several hours so panes with nickel sulphide inclusions break in the factory instead of on site. It is recommended for balustrades, facades and overhead glazing.
How long does toughened glass take?
Lead times depend on thickness, processing and current demand. Send us your sizes on WhatsApp and we will confirm a price and a delivery date with your quote.