Tempered Glass vs Normal Glass — What's the Difference?
Understand the critical differences between tempered and normal glass. Safety, strength and when to use each type.
What Is Tempered Glass?
Choosing the right glass type is crucial for safety and performance. Here is everything you need to know about tempered vs normal 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.
That strength is why it is the standard choice for bathrooms, doors and railings. See how it is used in our tempered glass for homes guide.
Key Differences
The two types differ in five main ways:
- Strength: tempered is 4-5x stronger; normal glass has standard strength and 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 glass cracks under thermal stress
- Cutting: tempered must be cut to size BEFORE tempering; normal glass can be cut anytime
- Cost: tempered is 2-3x more expensive; normal is cheaper upfront, but riskier
The higher price of tempered glass is small compared with the cost of an injury.
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
Browse the products we install, or see our guides on glass door prices and glass railing design.
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 is the minimum.
For a bathroom upgrade, compare options in our shower screen price guide or see the price packages.
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 is no stamp, the glass may not be genuinely tempered.
When in doubt, ask your installer to show you the stamp before the glass is fitted. Our team serves Kuala Lumpur and nearby areas.
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 a 10-year warranty.
WhatsApp GlassHaus for a free site measurement and advice on the right glass for your project.