What is toughened glass?

Toughened glass is a specially treated form of glass that's stronger and safer than standard glazing. This is achieved by heating the glass to 650°C (1200°F) and then cooling it very quickly. Toughened glass panels have better impact and heat resistance than annealed glass. And if they do break, they shatter into small, safe particles rather than sharp shards. For this reason, toughened glass is now required by regulation for all building projects. Toughened glass is sometimes known as tempered glass or safety glass.

How strong is toughened glass?

Our thermally tempered glass is four to five times stronger than standard annealed glass.

When is safety glass required in windows?

Toughened glazing is now a regulatory requirement for all "critical locations". This includes windows, doors and side panels that are within a certain distance of the ground. For general information, see our guide to toughened glass regulations.

Can you cut tempered glass?

You can't cut thermally tempered glass. The glass has been changed on a molecular level and, as a result, will shatter if you attempt to cut it. All our custom-cut toughened glass is shaped before being tempered. Tempering is always the last stage in the manufacturing process.

Does tempered glass shatter?

Tempered glass may shatter spontaneously after installation. This can be caused by several factors, including the presence of impurities in the glass. These impurities are not considered a defect – and, in any case, they're very rare. However, we recommend that all toughened glass panels are heat soak tested to reduce the risk of spontaneous breakage. This involves heating the glass to simulate normal glazing conditions.

Toughened Glass Cut to Size | Safety Glass Panels

When you need glass tempered and made to measure, call in the experts.

Toughened glass is our core product – and we know it better than almost anyone else on Earth.

But our industry expertise is only the start. Our goal is to be the only glass supplier you ever need to work with – full stop.

That's why we've invested in one of the UK's best glass tempering plants. And it's why we source BS EN 572-certified glass from just four trusted suppliers: Guardian, Pilkington, Saint-Gobain and AGC.

When you work with us, you can expect unparalleled quality and exceptional service, every time.

But above all, you can expect unbeatable flexibility. We supply a huge range of toughened glass products and deliver them on time and on spec. It's that simple.

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Our industrial glass tempering process

Learn how we transform annealed glass into super-strong hardened glass.

Here at ToughGlaze, we've invested heavily in our facilities and are proud to own some of the most advanced glass processing equipment in the UK.

But cutting-edge technology is nothing without a keen eye for quality. That's why our glass toughening process is carefully monitored and controlled to guarantee quality and consistency.

All our toughened glass panels meet BS EN 12150 – the British standard. And our tempering process does not affect the colour, clarity or light transmission of the glass.

Toughened laminate

Toughened laminated glass is ideal for applications where shatter resistance is a priority. Choose any size and any thickness – and unlock a range of attractive decorative interlayers.

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Toughened fire-resistant glass

ToughGlaze has developed its own toughened, fire-resistant glass that meets E30 regulations and is tested in accordance with BS EN 1364-1.

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Digitally printed toughened glass

Create eye-catching, customised glass features with our digital printing service. Expect maximum durability and clarity thanks to our heat-set ceramic inks.

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Heat soak testing

Peace of mind is priceless. That's why we recommend that all toughened glass is heat soak tested to reduce the risk of spontaneous breakage.

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Toughened glass windows

ToughGlaze supplies leading window manufacturers with made-to-measure tempered glass for double-glazing units.

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Toughened glass splashbacks

Discover our range of high-quality glass splashbacks and worktops, which can be coloured, cut and curved to your requirements.

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Architectural safety glass

Simplify your supply chain with our extensive selection of structural and decorative glass products – all fabricated under one roof.

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Sales and support

Our glass experts are here to help you deliver. Order tempered glass online by requesting a quick, no-obligation quote.

Trusted for glass processing since 1993
Distribution throughout the UK mainland (depending on order)
ISO 9001:2015 accredited for quality management

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Frequently asked questions

What is toughened glass?

Toughened glass is a specially treated form of glass that's stronger and safer than standard glazing. This is achieved by heating the glass to 650°C (1200°F) and then cooling it very quickly.

Toughened glass panels have better impact and heat resistance than annealed glass. And if they do break, they shatter into small, safe particles rather than sharp shards. For this reason, toughened glass is now required by regulation for all building projects.

Toughened glass is sometimes known as tempered glass or safety glass.
How strong is toughened glass?

Our thermally tempered glass is four to five times stronger than standard annealed glass.
When is safety glass required in windows?

Toughened glazing is now a regulatory requirement for all "critical locations". This includes windows, doors and side panels that are within a certain distance of the ground. For general information, see our guide to toughened glass regulations.
Can you cut tempered glass?

You can't cut thermally tempered glass. The glass has been changed on a molecular level and, as
a result, will shatter if you attempt to cut it.

All our custom-cut toughened glass is shaped before being tempered. Tempering is always the last stage in the manufacturing process.
Does tempered glass shatter?

Tempered glass may shatter spontaneously after installation. This can be caused by several factors, including the presence of impurities in the glass. These impurities are not considered a defect – and, in any case, they're very rare.

However, we recommend that all toughened glass panels are heat soak tested to reduce the risk of spontaneous breakage. This involves heating the glass to simulate normal glazing conditions.