Float Glass gets its name from the manufacturing process used to made it.  Molten glass is ‘floated’ onto a bed of tin to ensure a glass sheet is flat and distortion free.  Float glass is suitable for many standard applications where safety glass is not required.

Laminated Glass is a type of safety glass that holds together when shattered. In the event of breaking, it is held in place by an interlayer, typically of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), between its two or more layers of glass. The interlayer keeps the layers of glass bonded even when broken, and its high strength prevents the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces. This produces a characteristic “spider web” cracking pattern when the impact is not enough to completely pierce the glass.

Laminated glass is normally used when there is a possibility of human impact or where the glass could fall if shattered. Skylight glazing and car wind shields typically use laminated glass. Laminated glass is often used in exterior shop fronts, curtain walls and windows. The PVB interlayer also gives the glass a much higher sound insulation rating, due to the damping effect, and blocks 99% of transmitted UV light.

Toughened Glass has been processed by controlled thermal treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. The glass is made by processes which create balanced internal stresses which give the glass strength. It will usually shatter into small fragments instead of sharp shards when broken, making it less likely to cause severe injury and deep lacerations. As a result of its safety and strength, toughened glass is used in a variety of demanding applications, including windows, glass doors, shelves and tables.

Picture Glass is 2mm thick and is available in non-reflective and standard float glass. The non-reflective has a mat finish which helps prevent reflections and glare. As this glass is only 2mm thick, it is also very light, making it ideal for hanging pictures.

Wired Glass is available in clear or obscured. As its name suggests, it has a wire mesh in the centre of the glass which helps give it strength. This glass was originally made as fire resistant glass but is now commonly used for glass roofing and in areas where the visual deterrent of the wire mesh is an advantage. This glass is commonly seen in public area fire doors that require glazing but still need to retain their fire-proofing properties.

Horticultural Glass (or greenhouse Glass) is lower in cost than float glass. It is mainly used in the glazing of greenhouses and sheds. Horticultural Glass is 3mm thick. The lower cost is due to it being generally less optically clear than float glass, as it’s manufactured by the rolled process. We carry this glass in stock pre-cut in the standard sizes. If you require different sizes or shaped panels, we will happily cut it to size for you.