Standard glass breaks into large, sharp pieces with jagged edges that present a serious risk of injury when someone falls against the glass.

Tempered glass, on the other hand, shatters into lots of small pieces that are about the size of a fingernail.

These reduce the risk of serious injury and are, therefore, safer to use in windows and doors around homes.

Commercial buildings and residential homes are also embracing this new technology to revamp changes in exterior design.

It serves the purpose beyond the basic functions of glass – to let in light and allow us to see our surroundings, by insulating the interior and outdoors.

Commercial buildings, especially, love it for its durability, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal.

What is Double Glazed Tempered Glass?

Double glazed glass is made up of two panes of glass that are separated by a gas-filled vacuum chamber.

This is different from single glazed glass which is constructed using a single pane of glass.

The vacuum acts as an insulator that, during winter, prevents warm air from escaping the house and cold air from getting in from outside. In the summer, double glazed glass keeps the hot air outside thus regulating the inside temperatures to remain cool.

The biggest advantage of this type of glass is that it’s an energy-saving smart glass solution that helps people save costs on heating and cooling bills.

The most commonly used types of glass used for double glazing include:

1. Tempered or toughened glass

2. Float or annealed glass

3. Laminated glass

4. Coated glass

5. Fire-proof glass

6. Self-cleaning glass

In today’s article, we’ll focus on tempered glass which is put through chemical or thermal processing to strengthen it. It is by far the strongest hence the least likely to break.

If and when it breaks, it safely crumbles into small chunks instead of leaving large jagged shards within the window frame. This makes it less dangerous to dispose of.

Benefits of Using Double Glazed Tempered Glass

1. Thermal Insulation

The double-paned glass provides superior insulation by minimizing the transfer of hot or cold air through windows or doors. This ensures that the house stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

The low emissivity of the tempered glass allows you to save up to 50% or more in energy costs. This is why people in cold climates prefer this type of glass – it retains heat.

2. Soundproofing

In noisy environments, double glazing can be used to soundproof a room. It effectively prevents high-frequency as well as low-frequency external noise from reaching inside.

It’s time to say goodbye to annoying sounds if you live next to noisy neighbors, busy streets, or airports!

In extreme cases, you can make the solution more effective by widening the space between the panes. 

3. Increased Security

Smart glass enhances security – when two glass panels are used on windows, they help protect against vandalism and theft.

For a burglar to get through, he/she has to get through the first glass panel and then the second one. Who knew all this surety could be achieved by the glass?

This is not only suitable for windows and doors but skylights too if there’s a concern for objects falling in and hurting inhabitants of the buildings.

This is because they’re not one but two layers. Due to its thick nature, the double glazed glass doesn’t crack or shatter easily like normal glass when subjected to an external force.

4. Privacy at Will

Smart double glazed tempered glass may be used to provide a level of privacy that regular glass wouldn’t.

This entirely eliminates the need for traditional privacy solutions like curtains, shades, exterior panels, and blinds.

The glass changes instantly from transparent to opaque with the flick of a switch. This makes them ideal for making bathroom partitions.

5. Creativity Meets Practicality

No matter what your design objective is, trust double glazed tempered glass to meet and exceed your expectations.

Their versatility allows them to be used in various architectural projects while maintaining their functionality aspect.

6. Minimal Condensation

With their superior impermeability properties, double-glazed windows are particularly advantageous for those living in areas with high moisture content in the air.

They are designed to be watertight thus preventing water droplets from condensing on the surface.

In the winter when the water freezes on the outside, they turn the interior cold. Ultimately, they help lower energy costs.

Double Glazed Tempered Glass for Building Facades

Smart glass solutions are in high demand worldwide for the numerous benefits of double glazed glass such as better security, privacy on demand, higher property value, and most importantly, aesthetic appeal.

This explains why more and more buildings are using smart glass on their exterior walls.

The first thing a person notices before walking in is the face of the building so it’s important to make it decorative and appealing as opposed to just plain and simple. Designing a good building façade is important because it also determines how much potential buyers are willing to pay for the property.

All these benefits that we’ve talked about become doubled when you opt for the double tempered smart glass instead. This is a foolproof solution that lasts even longer, is safer, and offers double the security – these are just a few double glazed glass advantages.

The most suitable areas for double glazed tempered glass application include:

1. Doors and Windows

Double glazed tempered glass offers many applications for use all over buildings – the most common applications are on doors and windows.

They function as switchable privacy glass that replaces the need for curtains and blinds. This makes them ideal for all types of interior décor because glass goes matches with everything.

By installing double glazed tempered glass on doors and windows, you’re able to automate the transparency as needed. They also change to opaque to provide privacy whenever needed.

2. Skylights

The first and second glass panels combine to form a sealed unit. The filled air gap offers superb insulation such that even if the sun is shining directly above the building’s roof, the interior won’t get overheated.

You enjoy all the benefits of switchable and insulation glass without the need for maintenance or special cleaning requirements.

3. Outdoor Fixtures

The benefit of using double glazed tempered smart glass on outdoor fixtures like pavilions, gazebos, and greenhouses is the combined advantage of thermal performance and longevity.

This durable smart glass technology offers enhanced control and comfort to users (or plants in the case of greenhouses).

4. Building Facades

A building’s outward appearance matters a lot as it’s the most important aspect from a design standpoint.

Double glazed tempered glass has all your needs to blend in with the surroundings while still standing out, taken care of.

Using smart glass for building façades not only helps set the expectations but also defines the feel of the overall structure. Additionally, it doesn’t affect the building’s durability because it does not crack easily. 

How to Choose the Right Glass for Your Building

Glass is a pretty critical element in a building’s design because it significantly determines the amount of heat lost or gained through windows/doors.

How then, does one go about choosing the most efficient glass fixture for a project?

If you’re in this kind of dilemma, you should start by understanding the realistic needs of the project. This covers evaluating the building itself as well as the surroundings.

When you have your answers, you will clearly understand the importance of glass performance in your building. 

Here are the key considerations for smart glass selection:

1. Type of Building

What outcome are you looking for on the interior and exterior of the structure? The office exterior design you choose highly determines the type of glass to use. Understanding the building design gives you a better perspective of the expected results.

The ultimate goal should be to maintain an aesthetic appeal. So pick the glass design that best suits your project.

2. Climate and Temperature

If you live in an area with extreme cold or heat, you need to consider installing double glazed tempered glass for its numerous benefits that include thermal regulation.

Ultimately, this will save greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of power required to artificially cool or heat a building.

The location and orientation of the building also play a role in influencing the building’s internal temperatures. So you have to put these into consideration as well.

3. Functionality

Smart glass Malaysia offers ample user-friendly features that can be controlled remotely from smartphone apps.

Some of them come with timers and sensors – ensure that the product you choose has the features you’re looking for.

Its versatility also means it can be in different application areas such as projection or marketing fronts.

4. Visual Appeal and Compatibility

While some smart glass solutions come in plain designs, other options are customizable into your preferred color scheme to fit in with your brand.

This, however, means that you might have to pay extra. This high level of compatibility is one of the main reasons why corporate brands love double glazed tempered glass.

5. Energy Consumption

This is yet another very important factor to look out for when considering the right glass choice. Daylighting is an important factor to consider in architecture.

With smart glass, you’re able to reduce artificial lighting expenses while minimizing the heat gain effect.

In climates where temperatures soar during summer and plummet during winter, you can also rely on the double glazed tempered glass to maintain comfortable internal temperatures.

Ultimately, less artificial lighting and temperature control translate to better health and well-being of the room occupants, resulting in better moods and greater productivity.

6. Maintenance and Longevity

Overall, glass is very easy to clean and maintain.

But you know what would be better? Self-cleaning smart glass!

This is ideal for installation in hard-to-reach places like top floors or rooftops.

Double glazed tempered glass is long-lasting – it’s harder and stronger than normal glass. Since it’s extremely resistant to any force damage, you no longer have to worry about renovations any time soon.

7. Affordability

Smart glass is, obviously, more expensive than regular glass. When deciding whether or not to incorporate it into your building, you should look into the pros and cons of both options.

According to us, we strongly believe that double glazed tempered glass is well worth the extra cost. In the long run, it helps you cut down expenses because it helps you save on your power bill.

8. Consult Experienced Service Providers

Get an architect to assess the building and tell you the right type of glass to use. Ignoring the advice and choosing the wrong type of glass could have grave long-term consequences such as recurring repair costs and excessive air conditioning costs.

Chiefway: The #1 Smart Glass Provider in Malaysia

Building facades are an integral part of architectural projects. Thanks to the numerous technological advancements and innovations, it has become easier to integrate smart glass solutions into diverse projects.

At Chiefway, we offer customizable smart glass solutions in different shapes, sizes, patterns, and designs – whatever you choose you can rest assured that it’ll be a worthy investment. 

Our double glazed tempered smart glass recently won the ARCHIDEX Star Award 2021 and this has been a huge milestone for us. The ARCHIDEX Star Award recognizes design excellence for products within the architectural industry.

All of us at Chiefway are incredibly honored to place among the winners. 

With us, your project is in good hands! We have expert knowledge of double glazing, smart glass, home automation / improvement, and sustainable glass architecture.

Visit our website to learn more about our company, discuss ideas, and see the different smart glass options that we have for you!