Heat-strengthened glass exhibits a break pattern characterized by relatively large pieces, which tend to remain engaged within the glazing pocket, thereby lowering the risk of fallout.

Fully tempered glass, unlike heat-strengthened glass, shatters into relatively small pieces upon breakage, significantly reducing the likelihood of severe cutting or piercing injuries compared to ordinary annealed glass.

Fully tempered glass meets the CPSC safety glazing material requirements as defined by ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201.

Heat-treated glass offers versatility in its applications, being suitable for use either monolithically or as part of an insulating glass unit.

It can be coated to enhance solar control or passive solar performance of the glass.

It can also be coated with a low-VOC water based or ceramic frit paint for spandrel applications requiring an opaque characteristic.

The color, clarity, and visible light transmission of glass remain unchanged through the heat-treating process. However, this process enhances its flexural and tensile strength while also improving its resistance to thermal stresses and shock.

Heat-treated glass that is coated with a low-emissivity or pyrolytic coating may vary in color and reflectance.

When viewing heat-treated glass in certain conditions, a pattern of iridescent spots or darkish shadows may become visible. This is called the strain or quench pattern of the glass and is related to the stresses introduced in the cooling process. Sharp angles, polarized light, thicker glass and applied coatings increase the visibility of the pattern.

The original flatness of glass is slightly modified by the heat-treating process causing reflected images to be distorted.  Bow, warp, roll distortion and strain pattern are inherent characteristics of heat-treated glass. While fabricators take steps to minimize these conditions, they cannot be eliminated.  Consult ASTM C 1048 for additional information.

Architectural glass fabricators should be consulted to confirm the ability of the specified glass construction to meet the design parameters.

The glass application and location of the glass within the design will determine the code requirements that must be met.

The stiffness of annealed, heat-strengthened and fully tempered glass is the same. Deflection under a given uniform wind load will be identical for glass of the same size and thickness.

Glass must be cut, drilled or edged prior to the heat-treating process.

Sandblasting, etching or v-grooving should be performed prior to the heat-treating process.

Some deep patterns of rolled textured patterned glass cannot be heat-treated.