What kind of place would the world be without its great dichotomies? Heat fans and Celtics fans. The Greeks and the Trojans. In the world of glass installations, annealed glass and tempered glass fight for top spot. While not necessarily in opposition with one another, a little know-how when choosing what glass works best for your space goes a long way in making your home or business outlast the competition. Here’s a simple guide.

Annealed Glass – What is it?

Annealed glass is created through a process of slowly cooling the glass. This process, though able to protect the glass from some shattering, is not meant to handle a lot of stress. This means that when it does crack, it typically cracks into larger, heavier pieces that can be dangerous.

What is the benefit?

The process of annealing glass takes significantly less time than other modes of glass creation. Because of this, annealed glass tends to be lower cost for those looking for a low-cost alternative to other kinds of glass.

Where does it work best?

Considering the fragility of the glass, most installers recommend using annealed glass in low traveled areas. This means that if you want to keep costs low for a new home or business, you should isolate areas that are relatively untouched, like basement windows or cabinet doors, and choose annealed for a fiscally smart decision.

Tempered Glass – What is it?

Tempered glass goes through more chemical processes during its creation. This means that it is more durable – a benefit that has lasting benefit for those looking to stay in a home or business for the long haul. The stronger glass also means that it will cost a little more when looking for something that will last.

What is the benefit?

When it comes to tempered glass, durability is the name of the game. Unlike annealed glass that breaks into large, heavy pieces if shattered, tempered glass breaks into smaller pieces that are not as dangerous as its annealed counterparts.

Where does it work best?

Save the tough stuff for areas with heavy traffic. Glass doors, structural windows, or any other area that receives high movement or stress should be tempered for long lasting durability. Both annealed glass and tempered glass is available through Frontier.