Tempered Glass vs Normal Glass — What's the Difference?
Tempered Glass vs Normal Glass — What's the Difference?
Choosing the right glass type is crucial for safety and performance. Here's everything you need to know about tempered vs normal glass.
What is Tempered Glass?
Tempered glass (also called toughened glass) is regular glass that has been heated to 620°C and then rapidly cooled. This process makes it 4-5 times stronger than regular glass.
Key Differences
Strength
- Tempered: 4-5x stronger than normal glass
- Normal: Standard strength, breaks easily under pressure
Break Pattern
- Tempered: Shatters into small, rounded pieces (safe)
- Normal: Breaks into large, sharp shards (dangerous)
Heat Resistance
- Tempered: Withstands up to 250°C
- Normal: Cracks under thermal stress
Cannot Be Cut
- Tempered: Must be cut to size BEFORE tempering
- Normal: Can be cut anytime
Cost
- Tempered: 2-3x more expensive
- Normal: Cheaper upfront, but riskier
When to Use Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is MANDATORY for:
- Shower screens and enclosures
- Glass doors (all types)
- Glass railings and balustrades
- Table tops
- Glass partitions in commercial spaces
- Any glass near a heat source
Malaysian Safety Standards
In Malaysia, MS 1141 governs safety glass requirements. For bathroom applications, tempered glass of minimum 6mm thickness is recommended. For frameless shower screens, 10mm minimum.
How to Identify Tempered Glass
Look for a small etched stamp in one corner of the glass. This stamp shows the manufacturer and confirms the glass has been tempered. If there's no stamp, the glass may not be genuinely tempered.
Our Commitment
At GlassHaus, we exclusively use certified tempered glass for all shower screens, doors, and safety-critical applications. Every piece comes with a certification mark and 10-year warranty.