Glass Products

Glass is used to provide light and allow a view from either side to the other side. It can be clear, coated, tinted and insulating. Several types of glass may be used in windows, doors and skylights throughout North America. Standards concerning the manufacture of basic glass are covered in other documents. Below are definitions for common glass types. Annealed “Annealed glass” is basic glass manufactured using the standard float glass process. All glass made for windows, doors and skylights in North America is manufactured by the annealed process. This is also known as annealed glass unless it is subsequently heat treated. Heat-Treated: Tempered and Heat Strengthened “Heat-treated glass” is glass that has been pre-stressed by heating followed by sudden cooling to give it two to four times the strength of ordinary annealed glass. There are two main types of heat-treated glass: heat- strengthened and tempered glass. Tempered glass is also known as toughened glass. When it breaks, it breaks into small pieces. Tempered glass may be used as a safety glazing product; however, heat-strengthened or annealed glass may not be used as a safety glazing product without laminating.