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The glass that is toughened is also known as “tempered” or “safety glass,” and is utilized in locations where additional strength or safety is required, such as your kitchen’s glass splashback.
Why do we need toughened glass in the case of a glass splashback?
Annealed or float glass, which breaks into big, sharp pieces with jagged edges, is sometimes referred to as standard glass. If you were to fall against this, you would be in danger of severe harm. We toughened the regular glass to lessen this danger. This process changes the way the glass is made, so if it breaks, it will break into many small pieces.
These fingernail-sized bits are a better option than a few huge, pointy ones. The heat from the stove and frequent cleaning are two of the most difficult things that can happen to a glass splashback.
Because of this, it is safer to use in structural components. While it’s quite rare for somebody to misstep and come into contact with the glass, if they do, it will shatter safely. When the glass breaks, it will shatter into little fragments and is less likely to inflict major harm. When it comes time to replace your glass backsplash, be sure to choose toughened glass only. All reputable double-glazing companies should tell you about this when they give you a quote.
So, how exactly do you make a toughened glass splashback?
Tempering the glass used for a glass backsplash is the most popular method of making it more durable. It is necessary to polish the glass’s exterior edges to eliminate any ridges, indents, or flaws. The glass is rolled into a furnace on a bed of rollers. The furnace’s temperature ranges from 650 degrees to 900 degrees, depending on the kind of glass being toughened.
For a certain amount of time, the glass stays in the furnace, vibrating on the rollers. To put it another way, until it reaches the desired temperature. But the amount of time depends on the kind of glass and the ambient temperature outside of the glass container. The longer the glass is in the furnace, the colder it gets outside.
The glass is pushed out of the furnace by the rollers when it reaches the desired temperature. As the glass is blasted onto the surface, both top and bottom, it is quickly cooled by jets of air. Because of the quick cooling, the glass’s surface is compressed while the inside is stretched as a result.
A stronger glass splashback
Compression makes the glass significantly stronger since it must be broken first before the compressive force can be surpassed. That means the toughened glass is four times more durable than normal, annealed, or floating glass. It also helps to generate the glass’s differential stress patterns throughout the process. Small, blunt bits will be formed as the glass breaks.
Toughened glass is ideal for use behind stoves and sinks, which are high-risk locations in your house.
Glass splashback characteristics
If you’re looking for a product that’s more resistant to shattering than regular glass but doesn’t cost a fortune, toughened glass is the answer. From shower screens to splashbacks, the toughened glass may be used in a variety of settings. This section explains why toughened glass is an excellent choice for a glass backsplash.
1. Strength
There is a good reason why toughened glass is classified as a sort of safety glass. In comparison to the conventional glass of the same size and thickness, it is five times more resistant to breaking and shattering, allowing it to make a greater impact before breaking. Laminated glass (the kind used on the majority of automobile windscreens) and toughened glass (the type found on toughened glass) are both stronger than regular glass, but their shattered reactions vary.
Unlike laminated glass, toughened glass breaks into hundreds of small fragments that are neither sharp nor jagged, reducing the risk of harm when shards are broken.
2. Temperature Tolerance
It can endure temperatures as high as 250 degrees using tempered glass, which is five times more heat-resistant than conventional glass. Because of this, glass splashbacks in contemporary kitchens are safer in the case of a fire.
3. Noise cancellation
In terms of soundproofing, toughened glass is almost twice as effective as ordinary glass. Every soundproofing glass has been heated and hardened to achieve a noise reduction of up to 60 decibels. A studio, gym, restaurant, or movie are all places where sound reduction is critical.
4. UV-Blocking
The tempered glass absorbs UV rays by 65 per cent, giving it an SPF rating of around 16. Adding a bronze or grey tint to your toughened glass can boost its SPF by filtering even more UV rays. So you don’t have to be concerned if sunshine explodes your glass splashback.
5. Resistance to impact
When compared to regular glass, toughened glass is not only more durable but is also more impact-resistant and protective. Reinforced glass splashbacks and other safety applications may benefit from this feature.
6. Durability
As opposed to regular glass, which is more brittle and more likely to shatter, toughened glass is often used for glass homeware. Your glass dining tables, glass splashbacks, and shower screens have been hardened to guarantee that your homeware is safe for your family to use. For structurally heavy applications, such as frameless glass doors, toughened glass should always be used since it is five times stronger than the regular glass on average.
7. Versatility
It is possible to use toughened glass in a wide variety of ways in the design process. The use of frosted satin glass in furniture, such as bedside chests, shelves, and tabletops, adds an extra layer of seclusion and softness. Unlike sandblasted glass, acid-treated glass is simpler to clean and less likely to be scratched or dented. Glass splashbacks may be made with a variety of finishes, including clear, tinted, or painted glass.
