Tempered vs non tempered glass?

[DRH1175]

I need some windows for my Skid house I am working on. Would you go with Tempered or non tempered glass?

[Ice Shack Baby]

I would go with non tempered glass. When the house goes on and off the ice, the house flexes. I would think that the tempered glass would have a higher chance of breaking.

[Lucky Dogg]

Non, temp breaks easy in the cold. one tap with a hard object and "pop" it goes!

[CAMAN]

The only reason you'd use tempered glass is if you're worried about falling through it or it breaking and injuring you. Otherwise save the money and use regular non-tempered glass.

[DRH1175]

Thanks non tempered it is.

[mccullen]

I install replacement windows and the only place you are required, by code, to have tempered windows are in the bathroom, and windows that are lower to the interior flooring. Oh yeah and by the kitchen sink is another place. I don't have much knowledge on the details of why this is, I just install them. I do know that tempered is 4-5 times stronger than regular glass, breaks into small "dice" like pieces, not sharp shards like the regular glass does. But also tempered glass does NOT show signs of cracks or stress fractures. So if handled clumsily and then exposed to extreme temps will spontaneously combust and explode suddenly with NO signs of warning. I have had to replace some tempered panes that this has happened to and also heard stories of glass table tops for outdoor patio sets doing this. I'm not knocking tempered glass, it has it's place but I just don't see it being worth the extra money in your ice shack.

[CAMAN]

heard stories of glass table tops for outdoor patio sets doing this.

Mine did it 3-4 years ago on a 90some degree day. Was sitting inside watching TV, hear a pop, then what sounds like a bucket-full of marbles falling on my deck. What a PITA that was to clean up!!

Tempered glass has a ton of strength if hit with a blunt force on the face, but if you hit it with a sharp object like a center-punch it will shatter. Also if it gets any kind of shock on its edge it will break.

[polarsusd81]

I design wall systems for high rise buildings. Deal with all different types of glass on the projects I work on.

Tempered glass is required in the locations mentioned by mcmullen because those locations have a higher chance at breaking. Tempered glass is stronger, but it is designed to break into small chunks rather than shards. Tempered glass is also required at sidelites on doors, so if your entry door on your house has a glass lite on either side, it is tempered.

Ideally, if you are worried about breakage and not having any cleanup, you would choose laminated glass. When using laminated glass, the glass will not fall out of the frame if it is shattered. Think about the windshield on your car or truck. These are laminated so in the case of breakage, the glass doesn't fall in your lap, or a deer doesn't fly through it if it goes over the hood and into the glass. Of course there are limitations to the laminate's capabilities, but most of the time it will be able to perform it's job. The rest of the glass in your car or truck is tempered, and will break into the tiny chunks so it doesn't cut you to shreds in the case of an accident.

Also, laminated glass would make it a whole lot tougher for someone to break in through a window. They would really have to work at it to get through a laminated window.