Why Patio Doors Use Tempered Glass

If you’ve ever had to replace a whole window or even just a glass panel in a door, you probably were faced with an overwhelming amount of material options, size specifications, and other details about different types of glass and window pane and frame material. Unless you’re a professional glazier, carpenter, or somehow work in construction, you probably couldn’t care less about what all of those different words mean. You just want to get whatever glass was working before, replace it, and go back to your normal life! We understand – it can be a hassle. Nevertheless, we encourage you to do your research when it comes to different types of glass for your patio door. The glass can make a huge difference not just superficially but also on the temperature regulation in your home.

How Strong is Tempered Glass

Tempered or “toughened” glass is a kind of reinforced safety glass that has increased strength and durability. Tempering is the process of chemical and thermal controlling treatments that the glass undergoes while being manufactured, and it results in an internal distribution of stress forces such that if the glass were struck by a heavy object, instead of shattering into jagged, sharp splinters, it crumbles off in chunks. These granules are generally smaller and less sharp, resulting in a highly-reduced risk of injury. Additionally, while the glass is not necessarily stiffer than non-tempered glass, it is sturdier, so even if it does crack or shatter it likely will not fall out of its frame. This is why we use tempered glass in all sliding patio doors.

What is Tempered Glass Used For?

Tempered glass is a popular item used in a variety of commercial items, including residential windows and car windows and windshields, refrigerator doors and drawers, mobile phone and other electronic screens, shower and bath doors, bulletproof glass, even cookware, due to its many benefits. One of the greatest advantages of tempered glass is, of course, its durability and safety, which you should always prioritize. Patio doors are most commonly made entirely or partially of glass for the purpose of letting the light into the home and allowing you to keep an eye on the other side. Needless to say, this can result into inadvertent accidents, particularly if you have kids or pets zooming around. Give it a quick Google and you’ll pull up multiple funny videos of dogs, birds, even people colliding with the “invisible” glass doors. Most of the time there is not enough force to cause any breakage or harm serious harm, but you can never be too safe.

broken glass at scottsdale restaurant

How can you tell if broken glass is Tempered? It looks like this.

The other great benefit to tempered glass is its thermoregulation. Since tempered glass is fortified, it does a better job of maintaining the air temperature of your home. It will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than non-tempered glass. Additionally, in some states, tempered glass is actually required to be used in certain home situations(Required in Arizona), such as bathtubs of a particular size, so you should keep that in mind if you’re planning on making any replacements to your windows or patio doors.

At the end of the day, there’s nothing more valuable than the peace of mind that you and your family are as safe as possible. Make your outdoor patio more than social and attractive: a safe space for you to relax. Consider making the switch to Low-E Energy Efficient glass today!