What Type of Glass Is Used in Glass Doors?

What Type of Glass Is Used in Glass Doors?

The type of glass used in a door can make all the difference when it comes to durability and safety. Whether you're looking for something decorative or functional, understanding your glass door options is a big part of the equation. So let's take a closer look at the types of glass used in interior door installation and how they compare.

What Type of Glass Is Used in Glass Doors?

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is the most common type of glass used in doors. It's a strong, heat-treated glass that can withstand impact and abnormal pressure better than most glass types. If it breaks, tempered glass will shatter into small pieces, reducing the risk of injury.

However, this glass type can be difficult to cut, drill, and shape, which is why there are better options for decorative purposes. You have to use specialized tools and advanced glass-cutting techniques, which is why you want to let professionals handle the entire process. Also, tempered glass does not work for exterior applications because of the shattering risk involved.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass has two or more layers of any glass type sandwiched with a special plastic interlayer called PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral). It's designed to hold the shattered pieces together in case the glass breaks, making it incredibly safe.

The main caveat with laminated glass is that it tends to be more expensive than tampered glass due to the extra layers. It's also worth noting that laminated glass is not entirely shatterproof. It can break if it receives a hard enough impact.

Impact Glass

Impact glass is designed to be as solid and shatterproof as possible. It's made of two panels of tempered glass bonded together with a special interlayer, usually polycarbonate or PVB. This makes impact glass resistant to smashes, weather changes, and other forms of stress.

You can think of impact glass as an upgrade to laminated glass. It's incredibly strong, making it ideal for large installations like those used in contemporary architecture. The main downside is that it can be difficult to cut and shape, but the added security and durability more than makes up for it.

What Thickness of Glass Is Used for Interior Door Installation?

The thickness of the glass used in a door depends on the application, but most residential doors typically use 3/16" to 1/4" thick glass, while commercial applications often require thicker panes, usually ranging from 3/8" to 3/4" thick.

For safety reasons, we recommend using tempered and impact glass for doors. But this does not mean you have to sacrifice aesthetics. You can find beautiful glass doors that are both strong and stylish.

Why Isn't All Glass Tempered?

We've seen that tempered glass is stronger than regular glass, so why isn't all glass tempered? Well, it boils down to cost and application. Tempered glass requires more time and energy to produce, making it much more expensive than other types of glass.

Plus, tempered glass can be challenging to cut and shape into specific patterns or sizes. This is why it's usually used for large panes with easy-to-cut shapes like squares and rectangles.

Does all this information seem confusing? Call One Day Doors and Closets today for expert help with your project. With us by your side, you'll have everything you need to complete your interior door upgrade with ease.