Glass Patterns & Styles

Toughened glass

This has been heat-treated to make it far more durable to breaking and safer if it does; if broken it will explode into tiny pieces to protect against injury.  This is used in bus stops and side windows on vehicles, this is a really good option for doors or low windows as it is far more resilient than normal glass.  It is also popular for tabletops and display cabinets. Heat tempered glass is manufactured as made to measure and cannot be cut once it has been treated so it is always preferable where possible to have your glass supplier survey the job if you are not confident with a tape measure.

Laminated glass

This type is two pieces of glass with plastic sandwiched in the middle, this offers no more strength than two sheets of 3mm laid face to face. If it breaks it will hold together like a windscreen shield so this is often a better option for shops and businesses where out of hours security is paramount. Laminated glass can be cut, this is done by cutting both panels of glass first, ‘opening the cuts’ and then burning or slicing the plastic within so this is something you would need a professional to do ordinarily.

Georgian Wire Glass

This has had something of a renaissance in popularity in recent years with the rise of industrial chic, it is glass (clear or obscured) with a wire grid in the glass, this can provide security against breakages and some resistance to fire as the glass will take longer to blow.  There are better options for fire protection than standard wire glass if this is important, or legally required, for you and we will be happy to advise.