Tempered glass changes breakage behaviour
Heat-treated tempered glass is stronger than annealed glass and breaks into many smaller pieces when it fails. Edge damage and surface defects can still compromise it.
Holes, notches and edgework must be completed before tempering. A finished tempered panel cannot be cut or drilled to correct a measurement error.
Tempered
Heat-treated glass with increased strength and small-particle breakage behaviour.
Laminated
Interlayer construction that helps hold broken fragments together.
Fabrication
Holes and edgework must be finalized before tempering and system assembly.
System testing
Glass, hardware, anchors and support need to work within the intended guard design.
Laminated glass retains fragments
Laminated glass bonds two or more plies with an interlayer that helps retain fragments after breakage. The exact make-up, exposed edges and support system influence performance and appearance.
Laminated construction may also be combined with heat-treated plies. It should not be specified from a generic label without system data.
The complete guard system decides
Glass type and thickness work with clamps, channels, posts, cap rails and anchors. A panel that is acceptable in one tested assembly may not suit another.
Use project drawings, manufacturer documentation and required professional review. Visual preference comes after safety, retention and support are resolved.
Define these conditions before fabrication
- What system and support details are proposed?
- Is post-breakage retention required?
- Are all holes and edge shapes finalized?
- Who is confirming applicable structural and code requirements?
