Types of glass

The following provides a comprehensive list of glass types used in both residential and commercial settings:

 Float Glass

(Annealed Glass) This fundamental, clear glass is manufactured by floating molten glass on molten metal, creating a flat, colorless, distortion-free surface. It serves as the base for most other glass types. Residential applications include standard windows and doors where safety glass is not required. Commercially, it is used in storefronts, curtain walls, and interior partitions (often as a substrate for further processing).

 Toughened Glass

(Tempered Glass): Heat treatment strengthens this glass (typically four to five times stronger than annealed glass). Fracture results in small, relatively harmless fragments, minimizing injury risk. This is classified as Grade A safety glass in Australia. Residential uses include shower screens, balustrades, large windows, doors, and splashbacks in impact-prone areas. Commercial applications include shopfronts, office partitions, balustrades, entry doors, and display cases where safety and strength are paramount.

 Laminated Glass

This consists of two or more glass layers bonded with a plastic interlayer (usually PVB – polyvinyl butyral). Fracture results in fragments adhering to the interlayer, preventing scattering. It also offers UV protection andandkund dampening. This is also classified as Grade A safety glass in Australia. Residential uses include skylights, security windows, and noise reduction applications. Commercially, it is used in skylights, glass canopies, security glazing, and sound reduction in environments such as offices and hospitals where falling glass is a concern.