To many people, glass is simply glass. It is a clear compound, made from a sand-like substance and it’s the perfect addition to any home with a myriad of uses.
However, there is a big difference between eh glass used in quality glass balustrades Sydney and the glass that you find in your windows. Let’s take a look at the 5 most common glass types:
- Float Glass
Float glass is the simplest form of glass It is called this because the ingredients are heated until molten and then poured onto a bath of molten tin. The glass literally floats on the surface and gradually cools, becoming a solid sheet of glass.
This glass is used in some windows but it is not considered a safety glass. It will shatter into many sharp pieces if broken.
- Patterned Glass
This type of glass is often referred to as frosted. In many ways it is the same as float glass. However, the key difference is that the molten glass is fed through rollers to imprint a pattern. It is then cooled faster than with float glass, ensuring the pattern remains locked into the glass.
If you break this glass it will shatter. You’ll find it in shower screens, partitions, and even as part of patio furniture.
- Tempered Glass
Tempered glass also starts life in the same way as float glass. However, once the huge sheet of glass has been created it is cut to the relevant size and then heated to over 600°C. This is followed by hire pressure air which rapidly cools the glass.
This actually changes the composition of the glass, the center molecules pull back from the surface of the glass, effectively tensioning the glass.
Because it stays under tension it is much stronger and more resistant to impacts. This is the most common glass in your home whenever you need safety glass, this is the one that is likely to be used.
- Plexiglass
Although plexiglass has glass in its name, it is actually a sheet of acrylic. It’s made from petroleum products and is shatter resistant. Plexiglass is also very easy to create in a wide variety of shapes.
This type of glass also has significantly less glare while being very strong. That makes it perfect for outside applications, such as in a greenhouse.
- Polycarbonate
This is also not really glass. It is transparent plastic made with polycarbonate polymers. These ensure that light can pass through the sheets in the same way as it would with glass. It is a great alternative as it is exceptionally strong and also filters UV radiation.
You’ll find it in light fittings and even in glasses that people wear.
Knowing the different types of glass mean you know what you are looking at and can make the right decision when you need to replace anything in your home. The right product can look fantastic and is generally a safer alternative.