Tempered (toughened) glass is the most widely used safety glass in homes, offices and shops. You find it in shop doors, shower enclosures, partitions, table tops and even home appliances. This guide explains how it is made, why it is safe and how to choose the right thickness.
How is tempered glass made?
Ordinary glass is cut to its final size, its edges finished and its holes drilled, then it goes into the tempering furnace until it reaches a very high temperature, after which its surface is rapidly cooled with strong air jets. This quick cooling puts the outer surface in compression and the core in tension, and that balance is the secret of its strength.
Why is it considered safety glass?
- Four to five times stronger than ordinary glass of the same thickness
- Withstands sudden temperature changes far better
- When broken, it crumbles into small blunt granules instead of long shards
Common thicknesses by use
| Use | Common thickness |
|---|---|
| Kitchen splashbacks and shelves | 4 – 8 mm |
| Shower enclosures | 8 – 10 mm |
| Fixed partitions | 8 – 10 mm |
| Tempered glass doors | 10 – 12 mm |
| Shopfronts | By height, often 10 mm or more |
These are common figures for guidance only; the final thickness depends on the panel size, how it is fixed and where, and we confirm it after the site visit.
What to know before ordering
- Tempered glass cannot be cut or drilled after tempering, so accurate measurements are essential
- Fix the positions of hinges, handles and locks before manufacturing
- Polished edges look better and are safer
- In high places, tempered laminated glass is preferred over tempered alone
- Ask for the tempering stamp on the glass
Tempered glass at our factory
At the Azmi Sarrar Glass factory in Al-Juwaideh we cut, finish and temper glass in-house, and we keep each piece's data: sizes, holes and fitting positions. If you need a replacement years later, we make it straight from the saved data.