Glass FAQs: Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About Glass!

We get it—glass is everywhere, and if you’re designing or building with it, there’s a lot to consider! Below are the most frequently asked questions about general glass topics, from strength and safety to color and clarity. Let’s break it down:

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🔒 Tempering & Safety Questions

Is tempered glass stronger than regular glass? 💪

Yes. Tempered glass is about 4x stronger than standard (annealed) glass. It’s heat-treated to boost its strength, and when it breaks, it crumbles into blunt, pebble-like pieces rather than sharp shards—making it much safer.

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Is all glass considered safety glass? ⚠️

No. Only tempered or laminated glass is classified as safety glass. At Sans Soucie, all architectural glass (except tables, shelves, and mirrors) is tempered and meets or exceeds ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201 standards.

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Can tempered glass be cut or drilled? ✂️

Nope! Once glass is tempered, it can’t be altered. That means no cutting, drilling, or reshaping—all customizations must be done before tempering.

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What is tempered glass and how is it made? 🔥

Tempered glass is made by heating standard glass to extreme temperatures, then rapidly cooling it. This process makes the glass much stronger and changes the way it breaks—making it safer for architectural use. This video provides a comprehensive overview of the tempering process, showcasing how glass is heated and cooled to increase its strength. 📺 Watch on YouTube

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📏 Glass Size & Thickness Questions

Can you cut glass to any size or shape? ✨

Yes! Glass can be cut to nearly any custom size or shape before it’s tempered. Want a circle? Oval? Triangle? We’ve got you.

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How thick is the glass used in architectural projects? 📀

Most glass used in doors, windows, and partitions is 3/8″ to 1/2″ thick, depending on the size and sandblast effect. Tables are usually 1/2″ or 3/4″ thick for durability.

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Is the glass insulated? 🌡️

Yes, when it’s meant for exterior use. Our dual pane insulated glass units help regulate temperature and sound for exterior doors and windows. Interior products are usually single pane unless specified.

🧊 How Insulated Glass Units Are Made

This informative video provides a detailed overview of the insulated glass manufacturing process, showcasing how double-pane windows are constructed for energy efficiency. 📺 Watch on YouTube

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Do glass edges come polished? 💎

Yes. All exposed edges are polished for a sleek, finished look. Hidden edges (like those inside door frames) are seamed but not polished.

(a) Cut (b) Cut (c) Seamed (d) Ground (e) Polished

📸 Photo Cred: ResearchGate.net

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Can glass still break if it’s tempered? 🚫🔨

Yes. Tempered glass is stronger but not unbreakable. If it does break, it will crumble into small, less dangerous pieces. Always treat glass carefully!  💥 Tempered glass breaks in a very specific way—into small, blunt pieces that reduce the risk of injury. Watch this quick demonstration to see exactly how it breaks!

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How do different types of glass break? ⚠️ 

Not all glass breaks the same way—and that matters! Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common types:

• Annealed glass breaks into large, sharp shards, which can be very dangerous.
  
  
• Tempered glass shatters into small, blunt pieces to reduce injury risk.
  
  
• Laminated glass cracks but often holds together thanks to the inner layer.
  
  
• Wired glass may crack under impact but the embedded wire helps hold the glass in place.
  
  

Want to see it in action? 👉 Watch this quick video that shows how each type of glass breaks, side-by-side!

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🎨 Glass Color & Clarity Questions

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Why does clear glass look green at the edges? 🟢

It’s all about the iron content. The thicker the glass, the more noticeable the green hue becomes—especially along the edges or when stacked.

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Will thicker glass look greener? ✅

Yes. The thicker the standard glass, the more visible the green tint becomes. For a neutral, color-free appearance, go with low iron glass instead. It won’t be 100% crystal clear, but close.

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What is the difference between low iron glass and clear glass? 🧊

Glass contains iron, giving it a subtle green tint—especially noticeable on the edge of the glass. That said, the thicker the glass, the greener it gets. For glass that appears “more clear” or nearly crystal-clear, you can choose what’s called low iron glass. Low iron glass is exactly that: lower in iron. The reduced iron content creates glass that is more clear—but not 100% crystal clear. The edges will still have a slight blue/green tint, even though the overall appearance is much cleaner and more neutral.

📸 Photo Cred: Modern Glass & Shower Doors

🔍 Low Iron Glass vs. Regular Clear Glass

This brief video provides a clear side-by-side comparison of low iron (Starphire) glass and standard clear glass, highlighting differences in color, clarity, and applications.​

📺 Watch on YouTube

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What’s the clearest glass available? 🔍

Low iron glass is the clearest on the market. It’s perfect for applications where color neutrality and maximum visibility are key—like frameless showers or frosted glass art.

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What is smoked glass? 😎

“Smoked glass” is a casual term used for tinted glass, usually in bronze or gray tones. It offers privacy, reduces glare, and adds a modern touch to any space.

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Is smoked glass the same as tinted glass? 🕶️

Yes. Smoked glass is a nickname for tinted glass. The most popular options are bronze and gray, but you can also find blue or green depending on the application.

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What is bronze glass? 🟤

Bronze glass is tinted with a warm brown tone that softens light and adds a sophisticated look. It’s often used in shower enclosures, doors, and furniture.

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Does glass come in different colors? 🌈

Absolutely. Architectural glass is available in bronze, gray, green and blue. The type of color you choose depends on the style, light transmission, and privacy you’re after.

📸 Photo Cred: Jinjiing Group Glass

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🖼️ Glass Clarity & Color Chart

Here’s a quick visual to help understand the difference between common glass types by tint and clarity:

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🧪 Other Fun Glass Facts

What is annealed glass and how is it different from tempered glass? 🔬

Annealed glass is regular, untreated glass. It breaks into sharp, dangerous shards. Tempered glass is heat-treated, stronger, and safer. That’s why we only use tempered for doors and windows.

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Is all glass microwave-safe? 🍲

No. Only borosilicate or microwave-labeled tempered glass is microwave-safe. Decorative or antique glass may crack or shatter, especially if it contains metallic trim.

🔗 Check out this helpful article on microwave-safe glass

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21. What’s the difference between cut glass and crystal? ✨

“Cut glass” usually refers to decorative glass that has been shaped with etched or faceted patterns, often for aesthetic purposes. Crystal, on the other hand, is a type of glass that contains lead oxide (or other metal oxides), which gives it added weight, brilliance, and clarity. You can tell crystal apart by its bell-like ring when tapped and its ability to refract light into rainbows.

🔗 Read more about cut glass vs. crystal

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🎥 Watch & Learn: Videos About Glass

For those who want to dive deeper, here are some helpful and fascinating videos that bring these glass processes to life:

• How Tempered Glass Is Made – A detailed video showing how standard glass becomes tempered for increased strength and safety.
• How to Cut Glass Easily for Beginners – A beginner-friendly demo showing the basics of cutting straight lines and curves in glass.
• How Insulated Glass is Made – See the step-by-step process of how dual-pane glass units are constructed for energy efficiency.
• Glass Edge Polishing by Hand – Watch the beautiful craftsmanship of edge polishing on architectural glass.
• How Different Types of Glass Break – This fascinating demo compares annealed, tempered, laminated, and wired glass to show how each one breaks—and why it matters for safety.

These videos offer a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into producing and finishing quality glass!

A detailed video showing how standard glass becomes tempered for increased strength and safety.

• How to Cut Glass Easily for Beginners – A beginner-friendly demo showing the basics of cutting straight lines and curves in glass.
• How Insulated Glass is Made – See the step-by-step process of how dual-pane glass units are constructed for energy efficiency.
• Glass Edge Polishing by Hand – Watch the beautiful craftsmanship of edge polishing on architectural glass.

These videos offer a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into producing and finishing quality glass!