Tempered glass solutions for architectural projects

The process to make tempered glass consists in heating it to the temperature at which glass softens and then quickly yet carefully cooling it. This process increases the glass’ compressive strength on its surface and its tensile strength inside. Heat-strengthened glass, on the other hand, undergoes a slower cooling process than tempered glass, so its surface compression is lower.

The high compression levels of tempered glass give it higher mechanical and thermal strength and means it shatters into tiny pebbles. It is therefore classified as safety glass. Heat-strengthened glass has higher mechanical and thermal strength than regular annealed glass, but no special breakage pattern.