Glass is a versatile construction material used in residential and commercial buildings. Different glass types fit many interior design needs, whether minimalist or maximalist.
Therefore, many architects, interior designers, and contractors prefer to use glass in their architecture projects. Our float glass vs tempered glass comparison will tell you everything you need to know!
Quick answer: Float glass (also called annealed glass) is standard flat glass made by floating molten glass on liquid tin. It is clear, cheaper and can be cut to size, but it breaks into large, sharp shards. Tempered (toughened) glass is float glass that has been heat-treated: it is about five times stronger and breaks into small pieces that cause less harm, which makes it a safety glass. However, it cannot be cut or drilled after tempering and costs more.
Float Glass
What Is Float Glass?
Float glass is also known as annealed glass, flat glass, ordinary glass, and normal glass. How is float glass made? The float process involves melting raw materials in a high-tech furnace at a high temperature. The molten glass is floated on the liquid tin bed and then rapidly cooled down, giving it its flat, smooth surface.
Float glass isn’t a safety glass like tempered glass and laminated glass. When it breaks, it leaves large, sharp shards. Therefore, it must fit into aluminium or plastic frames for safety reasons. You can also cut, resize, and shape it according to your needs.
Qualities and Characteristics of Float Glass
Float glass is transparent, hard and very clear, with minimal haze. Its surface does not absorb liquids, and it is a poor conductor of electricity. Float glass is recyclable and non-toxic, which makes it a good fit for sustainable interior design, and it is the least expensive type of architectural glass.
Float glass also plays an integral part in sustainable interior design because it’s recyclable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic construction material. It’s also a type of clear glass with minimal haze. It’s also the least expensive type of glass.
Applications of Float Glass
What is float glass used for? Float glass has many functions ranging from everyday uses to aesthetic items. For example, you can see creative applications of float glass in residential buildings like bungalows and industrial projects like homeless shelters.
Float glass is more suitable for home use against both laminated glass and tempered glass. It’s lightweight, easier to transport, and quick to replace. As a result, its applications vary from windows, doors, and tables.
Tempered Glass
What Is Tempered Glass?
Tempered glass is also known as toughened glass and safety glass. It’s similar to the molten tin process in normal float glass. The difference is tempered glass goes through an additional thermal tempering process in such a way as to harden it. In other words, the toughening process rearranges the molecules of a float glass sheet to toughen it.
As a result, it offers higher impact resistance than plate glass. Still, when it comes to laminated glass vs tempered glass, people realise that laminated smart glass provides better protection.
Qualities and Characteristics of Tempered Glass
Tempered glass looks almost as clear as float glass. However, the reheating and rapid cooling process can leave slight optical distortion (known as roller wave), which is most visible in reflections. Tempered glass is about four to five times stronger than float glass of the same thickness and is more resistant to heat. Like float glass, it is impermeable and does not conduct electricity.
Tempering puts the surfaces of the glass under compression and the core under tension. The edges are the most vulnerable point, which is why tempered glass must be cut and edge-finished before it is tempered. When it does break, it shatters into small, blunt pieces that are far less likely to cause injury than float glass shards.
Applications of Tempered Glass
Tempered glass products range from mobile phone cases and screen protectors to residential and industrial windows in commercial buildings. Unlike ordinary float glass, you can consider tempered glass as a safety glass.
Tempered glass also has various sizes and thicknesses for a glass partition wall. For example, you can see it in escalator side panels, large windows, and glass facades.
Furthermore, you can use toughened glass panels in shower cabin doors, window systems, and storefronts. Decorative glass balustrades also include tempered glass for aesthetic reasons.
Float Glass vs Tempered Glass at a Glance
| Feature | Float glass | Tempered glass |
|---|---|---|
| Also called | Annealed glass, flat glass | Toughened glass, safety glass |
| Strength | Standard | About five times stronger |
| When broken | Large, sharp shards | Small pieces that cause less harm |
| Cut or drill after manufacture? | Yes | No |
| Clarity | Very clear | Slight distortion possible |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Typical uses | Framed windows, doors, tables | Shower doors, storefronts, facades, balustrades |
Float Glass vs Tempered Glass — Analysis & Verdict
| Type of Glass | Pros | Cons |
| Float Glass | 1. Rapid cooling process of liquid glass creates a smooth surface in flat glass. 2. Annealed glass can also be very clear. 3. Economic as it can be cut, resized and recycled. | 1. Float glass breaks from sudden impacts and cracks under extreme heat. 2. When broken, its sharp fragments may be dangerous. |
| Tempered Glass | 1. Toughened glass provides higher impact resistance than float glass, especially at the center. 2. Provides better safety, and you can use it in doors, windows, and facades. 3. When broken, tempered glass breaks into smaller pieces that cause less harm. | 1. It must go through the heat soaking test to avoid spontaneous breakage. 2. The minimal stress around the edges may damage tempered glass. 3. After the second thermal treatment, the resulting glass can’t be cut, drilled, or resized. |
Visibility (1 Float Glass – 0 Tempered Glass)
Float glass has a very flat, distortion-free surface because it cools slowly on a bed of molten tin. When comparing float glass vs tempered glass, float glass therefore gives the clearest view.
Tempered glass is reheated and then cooled quickly with air jets, which can leave slight waves in the surface. You will rarely notice them when looking straight through the glass, but they can show in reflections. In short, float glass gives a slightly clearer, more distortion-free view than tempered glass.
Strength & Security (0 Float Glass – 1 Tempered Glass)
Float glass has no added surface stress, so it breaks more easily and into large, sharp shards.
Tempering heats the glass to over 600°C and then cools it rapidly, locking the surface into compression. This makes toughened glass about four to five times stronger than float glass and more resistant to heat, which is why it is used in kitchen appliances, doors and shower screens.
In short, think of tempered glass as compressed float glass, giving you more strength and security.
Noise & Heat Insulation (1 Float Glass – 1 Tempered Glass)
Generally, glass is an excellent noise and heat insulator. It has revolutionised how people live and work. One only needs to look at how the glass wall transformed residential and commercial glass house design and skyscrapers for evidence. Today’s glass window systems let the light in and the heat out.
Double glazing with two sheets of float glass can also insulate almost any type of window in Malaysia. Some experts agree that toughened glass plays an integral part in triple glazing for more soundproofing and heat-proofing. Thus, tempered glass vs float glass depends on your needs. Each type of glass covers your needs differently.
Cost (1 Float Glass – 0 Tempered Glass)
Without a doubt, flat glass is on the cheaper side of architectural glass projects than toughened glass for two reasons. Firstly, you can’t resize tempered glass after the toughening process. So, if you make the wrong measurements, it’ll increase the glass waste.
Equally important, the manufacturing process is costly to the laminated glass manufacturer. In particular, toughened glass takes more metal accessories for installation, which adds to the cost.
Float glass is relatively easier to produce, transport, and install. It’s not necessarily cheap, but it’s cheaper than tempered glass. With tempered safety glass, you may pay extra for the added security.
Does Smart Glass Outperform Float Glass And Tempered Glass?
Smart glass, also known as switchable glass, changes from clear to frosted when power is switched on or off. Chiefway’s smart glass uses a PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) film laminated between two sheets of glass, which also makes it a laminated safety glass.
Smart glass lets you control the opacity by turning from clear to frosted on demand. Smart glass film and glass ribbon can also block light and harmful sun rays by adjusting the tint level on the outer surface.
Smart glass manufacturers in Malaysia can laminate the switchable film between float or tempered glass sheets, and the finished panel can also be built into a double-glazed unit. Thus, you won’t need curtains or blinds to enhance your privacy. The smart glass will provide privacy, insulation, and security.
Is Smart Glass Better Than Annealed Glass and Safety Glass?
Of all the different types of glass products, smart glass gives you more control, safety, and insulation. Equally important, it’s much more Eco-friendly because it reduces energy consumption for cooling and heating buildings.
With the world moving towards green energy due to climate change, it’s safe to say smart glass technology will be mainstream soon. So, here’s why smart glass is better than float and tempered glass.
Increased Security
Smart glass combines the toughness of tempered laminated glass and the strength of the vinyl interlayer. Because the laminated layers hold together when broken, it is harder to break through than ordinary glass. In this way, smart glass enhances security compared with standard glass.
Smart laminated glass is also shatterproof. The adhesive material will keep it intact if it breaks. So, you don’t need to worry about large or tiny shards of glass.
Flexibility Control
Install switchable smart glass if you want more privacy. You can switch between clear glass and frosted glass by clicking a button. So, it’s suitable for different window types, whether residential or industrial windows.
Usually, the framed smart glass panels come with safe, built-in electric wires. You can control it with a remote control or phone app.
Green Energy
Smart glass is sustainable and reduces energy usage because it lets you control light and heat. So, even if the installation costs are high, you’ll cut the energy bill significantly in the long run. It’s possible due to its ability to block heat and regulate light transmission. The energy saving smart glass technology may also become cheaper to install as green tech becomes more mainstream soon.
Insulation
Low E coating for smart glass can enhance insulation beyond sealing. Smart glass film also contributes to blocking infrared and ultraviolet radiation but lets other light wavelengths through the surface. For example, a smart glass window lets the light in and the heat out better than float and tempered glass. Furthermore, triple-glazing smart glass can insulate sound by blocking sound waves.
Multifunctionality
Interior designers can help you design smart glass film in many patterns as you see fit. It might be a company logo on safety glass doors or industrial windows. Furthermore, it can be part clear glass and part frosted glass. Smart glass can fit in whatever aesthetic style you have based on your interior design.
Frequently Asked Questions About Float and Tempered Glass
Is tempered glass stronger than float glass?
Yes. The heat-toughening process makes tempered glass about five times stronger than ordinary float glass.
Can tempered glass be cut?
No. Tempered glass must be cut to size before the toughening process. Cutting or drilling it afterwards will make it shatter.
Is float glass safe for windows?
Float glass is not a safety glass, so it should be fitted in aluminium or plastic frames. For doors, showers and large low panels, a safety glass such as tempered or laminated glass is the better choice.
Why does tempered glass sometimes break by itself?
Spontaneous breakage can happen when tempered glass has not passed a heat soak test during manufacturing. Ask your supplier whether the glass is heat-soak tested.
Summary
Float and tempered glass make a difference in architectural glass projects. However, smart glass is the next step beyond float and tempered glass as it offers the best of two worlds.
Contact Chiefway today for affordable smart glass Malaysia solutions. Be the first to enjoy the smart glass difference.
