What Type of Glass Is Used for Shower Enclosures?

As timeless as they are, glass shower enclosures have evolved quite a bit over the years. The biggest difference between today’s glass shower enclosures and those of yesteryear is the type of glass that is used. Long ago, glass shower enclosures and shower doors were made of annealed glass, which is the type of glass that, when broken, leaves sharp points and jagged edges that can easily cause severe bodily injury. It’s no wonder this type of glass was phased out over time.

Since the 1960s, however, building codes have required that safety glass—otherwise known as tempered glass—be used to construct glass shower enclosures and shower doors. When tempered glass is broken, it crumbles into granular bits that are not nearly as dangerous as the shards and chunks you get when you break annealed glass. The edges of tempered glass, however, are still vulnerable to breakage—it is glass, after all—but unlike annealed glass, when tempered glass chips away it breaks down into small beads which pose much less of a safety hazard.

Another type of glass that is sometimes used in the construction of glass shower enclosures and shower doors is laminated safety glass. A similar technique is used to make car windshields. Laminated safety glass consists of two layers of tempered glass bonded against a shatterproof plastic layer. In the event that this glass breaks, the tempered glass will bead up, but the durable plastic layer will hold the beads in place to prevent them from scattering.

Ensuring the Safety of Our Customers

Here at Kennesaw Glass & Mirror, we put the utmost care into each and every glass product we craft for our customers—not just in terms of visual aesthetic, but also with the safety features that are built into them. We use top-of-the-line safety glass in all of our shower enclosures and shower doors to ensure that your home remains as safe as possible for all who live there. To learn more about the type of glass we use for constructing shower enclosures and shower doors, contact Kennesaw Glass & Mirror today. We proudly serve homeowners in Marietta, Georgia, and the surrounding area.