What Makes Tempered Glass Stronger and Safer Than Regular Glass?

All glass is breakable, but some types are harder to damage and less hazardous when broken than others. Thanks to a unique manufacturing process, tempered glass can hold up to seven times more weight than regular glass, and it isn't nearly as sharp or jagged when broken. Here's a look at what makes tempered glass such a strong and safe choice for a range of applications.

Processing and Manufacturing

Glass is made by mixing and melting soda ash, sand, and lime, then putting that hot liquid mixture through a cooling and reheating process known as annealing. The strength of the resulting glass depends on how quickly the material is cooled during annealing. Because it's cooled very rapidly, standard glass is reworkable and can be produced quickly in large quantities, but it is also more breakable and dangerous when shattered. Tempered glass is cooled slowly, which makes it stronger, more scratch-resistant, and less harmful when broken.

Strength Advantages

Many glass enclosures and household items use tempered glass to be able to withstand more wear and tear. Thanks to the slower cooling process during annealing, tempered glass is typically four to seven times tougher than standard glass. While regular glass can withstand around 6,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, tempered glass can handle up to 24,000. However, it's still important to adhere to the weight limits on tempered glass products, both to ensure their longevity and prevent breakage.

Added Safety

In addition to its strength, tempered glass is also popular for its safety (in fact, it's sometimes referred to as safety glass). Shards of broken standard glass are often large, jagged, and very sharp, not to mention difficult to thoroughly clean up. Rather than breaking into shards, tempered glass produces small round pieces that aren't nearly as sharp and dangerous. The added safety benefits of tempered glass make it a common material for many household and automotive applications, where there is a greater risk of breakage and human contact.

The strength and safety benefits of tempered glass make it useful in a wide variety of products and applications. Victorville Glass Company Inc. offers a wide range of commercial and residential glass products and services, including storefronts and doors, window installations and repairs, and custom cut glass. For a free estimate, call us today at 760-245-3456.

Removing Pesky Stickers From Glass: A How-to Guide

When removing stickers, labels, or decals from glass, home and business owners are often left with stubborn and unpleasant marks. The good news is that the right techniques can get rid of these marks and leave a sparkling clean surface. Try out the following tips to successfully remove annoying stickers from glass.

A Hot Soapy Soak

Soaking glass in hot soapy water is one of the simplest methods of getting rid of irritating labels. If there is space to do so, immerse the glass completely. Otherwise, soaking a washcloth in warm soapy water and using it to dampen the area can also help stubborn stickers release. The soap will help soften the decal vinyl, making it easy to remove with warm water.

The Baking Soda Technique

Baking soda's non-toxic nature makes it a safe method of removing stickers and can be an alternative if the hot water isn't enough. Mix equal parts of baking soda and cooking oil and stir until the mixture turns into a paste. Applying this paste directly on the sticker for at least five minutes will reveal sparkling clean glass once it's wiped away.

Try Masking Tape

Masking tape is a useful alternative for getting rid of residue on glass surfaces such as tabletops. To try this trick, one should wrap the tape around their fingers with the adhesive side facing outward. Pressing the sticky side of the tape on the decal, then quickly pulling it off should remove most of the vinyl, and the process can be repeated until the entire sticker is off.

A Bit of Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a relatively mess-free way to get rid of labels and works by making the vinyl soft and crumbly after absorbing the solution. Soak a rag in the alcohol and then dab it on the sticker until it's saturated. Afterward, the sticker should peel away or can be gently scraped off using a razor.

Regularly cleaning your glass can help prevent dirt and debris that causes damage and may require you to replace a window. At Victorville Glass Company Inc., we have 55 years of experience in providing residential and commercial glass repair and replacement services to Victor Valley, CA residents. Call us today at 760-245-3456 for a free estimate.