Types of Glass and How They're Incorporated Into our Works

There are Various types of glass in the market that can be applied for Windows (Interior and Exterior), Glass Doors or Fixed Frames. Read on more to find out which type of glass is best suited for your home.

Float Glass

This is the most basic sheet of glass before it is cut, treated, upgraded and set into a frame. Float Glass also called normal glass are commonly used in Singapore. Float Glass itself comes clear, tinted or frosted. They are low-cost and used as a starting point for many items that we fabricate. Float Glass when broken, breaks apart into big pieces. 

Items Used For:

• Windows (Sliding/Casement/Top Hung/Louvre)
• Framed Glass Doors (Aluminium and Mild Steel)
• Framed Fixed Glass Panels (Aluminium and Mild Steel)

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is annealed glass – strength 4-6x of float glass. Tempered glass can’t be cut, so the tempering process takes place only after the annealed glass is cut and finished in the desired size. The glass is heated to above 1200 degrees and then quickly cooled.

If the glass is unstable, it’ll break. This method tests the glass before it’s used in any real-life applications. 

Items Used For:

• Windows (Sliding/Casement/Top Hung/Louvre)
• Framed Glass Doors (Aluminium and Mild Steel)
• Framed Fixed Glass Panels (Aluminium and Mild Steel)
• Frameless Glass Doors 
• Frameless Fixed Panels
• Shower Screens
• Staircase Railings 

Safety Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is an extra-strong, security-enhanced glass created by fusing at least two glass panels around an inner layer of PVB (polyvinyl butyral). The two layers of glass used can be either float or tempered. This process uses a high heat and pressure fusion process to create a super-strong panel. 

In Singapore, Safety Laminated Glass are most commonly used for Top Hung Windows in your HDB Flats. 

Items Used For:

• Fixed Glass Panels
• Awnings 
• Mezzanines
• Windows 

Tinted Glass

Tinted glass is any kind of glass which has coloring added. The colors available are blue, green, grey and bronze. This can be done for several reasons, including design aesthetic, privacy and reducing heat from sunlight. Tinted glass can also be a form of protection against harmful UV rays. Tinted Glass itself comes in Float, Tempered or Laminated. Most customers use tinted glass for external windows to bump up the privacy factor. 

Items Used For:

• Windows
• Framed Glass Doors
• Frameless Glass Doors

Frosted Glass

Frosted glass are a type of obscured glass which allows light to come in, but can’t be clearly seen through. They are designed so that you can’t look through it although you'll be able to see vague shadows of what’s behind. 

While there’s some debate on whether it truly affords enough privacy for bathrooms and showers or not, obscured glass is usually worth it to anyone who wants more natural light indoors.

Items Used For:

• Bathroom Doors
• Bathroom Windows
• Shower Screens
• Entry Doors

Wired Glass

Wired glass is considered a security and fire-resistant glass. The grid of wires built into the panels will actually hold the glass in the frame if it shatters under high heat – such as a building fire. Wired Glass works great for commercial applications and are commonly found in Naco Windows of HDB Flats.

Items Used For:

• Windows
• Glass Doors
• Fixed Glass Panels

Double Glazed Glass

Double Glazed Glass may consist of 2 of 3 panels of glass (Float or Tempered Security) with a layer of air space in between the panels. Such glass panels are used where sound/heat insulation is needed.

A Double Glazed glass unit also has a desiccant component, ensuring that condensation won’t form in between the panes where you can’t wipe it off. Insulated glass windows are a great choice for exterior glass that’ll help you keep your sound and cooling costs down. 

Items Used For:

• Windows (Optimized for Casement Windows)
• Doors (Optimized for Casement Doors)

Patterned Glass

Patterned Glass has embossed patterns and are mainly used for decoration. Some patterned glass adds privacy while still allowing a certain level of light transmission. Types of Patterned glass includes Reeded glass and Diamond Glass. 

Items Used For:

• Internal Windows
• Framed Glass Doors (Aluminium and Mild Steel)
• Framed Fixed Glass Panels

Mirrored Glass

To create mirrored glass, a panel is given a metal coating on one side. This coating is sealed with an extra protective sealant, creating a mirror effect. You usually find mirrored glass being used in a decorative capacity, such as on walls, furniture and doors. Mirrored glass is pretty, but it’s not usually used for doors or exterior windows. Mirrored Glass comes in Clear, Tea Bronze or Smoked Grey.