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Types of Glass & Their Uses

Raindrops on a glass window

Glass is an incredibly versatile material found in countless aspects of daily life, from the windows in our homes or the screens on our smartphones. In construction and design, different types of glass offer different properties suited for specific needs, whether it’s safety, privacy, insulation, or aesthetics. 

How many types of glass are there? In truth, glass can be formulated and processed in dozens of ways. This guide will cover some of the most common types of glass used in architectural and interior applications, explaining what makes each type unique and where you’re likely to find it in use.

Float glass (annealed glass)

Float glass, also known as annealed or standard flat glass, is the basic form of glass produced by the float process. Molten glass is floated on a bed of molten metal (usually tin) at very high temperatures, forming large, flat sheets with even thickness. This produces the clear, flat glass used in everyday applications like picture frames and basic window panes. Float glass is relatively inexpensive and serves as the base material for most other advanced glass types. 

However, on its own, it is not a safety glass: when broken, annealed glass fractures into large, sharp shards that can pose a risk of injury. You’ll often see float glass in single-pane windows, cabinet doors, or other situations where standard glass is sufficient and building codes don’t require a safety glazing.

Toughened glass (tempered glass)

Toughened glass is a type of safety glass that has been heat-treated to increase its strength. In manufacturing, annealed float glass is reheated to around 650°C and then cooled, a process which creates internal stresses that make the glass up to five times stronger than normal glass. 

Thanks to this treatment, toughened glass can withstand extreme pressure, impacts, and high temperatures without breaking. If it does ever break, it crumbles into many small, relatively blunt pieces rather than dangerous shards. These safety characteristics make tempered glass ideal for applications where human impact is possible.

Laminated glass

Laminated glass is another important safety glass, made by fusing two layers of glass together with a tough plastic interlayer. This construction means that if the glass panel is shattered, the pieces tend to stick to the plastic layer instead of scattering. In other words, laminated glass cracks “spiderweb” style but usually remains intact as a sheet, greatly reducing the chance of injury or intrusion. The internal film can block most UV radiation and even provides improved sound insulation compared to a single pane. 

Laminated glass is often used in situations requiring high safety or security. A familiar example is a car windscreen, which is typically a laminated glass so it doesn’t shatter onto the driver in an accident. It’s also widely used for storefront windows, glass facades, skylights, and anywhere an extra level of security (against break-ins or impact) is desired.

Tinted glass

Tinted glass is produced by adding small amounts of metal oxides or other colourants into the glass during manufacture, which gives the glass a persistent hue (gray, bronze, blue-green, etc.). Beyond the aesthetic tint, this type of glass has functional advantages. The pigmentation absorbs a portion of sunlight and radiant heat passing through the glass. 

As a result, tinted glass reduces glare and can block a significant amount of solar heat, in some cases up to 50% of the sun’s direct heat energy. It also filters out a portion of UV light that causes furniture and fabrics to fade. Despite its darker appearance, tinted glass still allows plenty of natural light to illuminate a space, just with reduced intensity.

Obscured (frosted) glass

Obscured glass refers to any glass that is not fully transparent, usually designed to let light through while blurring or blocking detailed views. There are various ways to produce an obscured effect. One common method is frosted glass, achieved by sandblasting or acid-etching the surface to a cloudy, matte finish. 

Another method is using patterned or textured glass, where the hot glass is rolled with imprinted patterns (like ripples, rain, or geometric designs) that distort the view. Even adhesive films or specialised coatings can create an obscuring effect. 

Mirrored glass (reflective glass)

Mirrored glass is a type of glass that has a reflective metallic coating on one side, creating what we recognise as a mirror. In standard mirror production, a thin layer of metal (such as silver, aluminium, or chrome) is applied to the back of a clear glass pane and then usually sealed with paint for protection. The metal coating turns the glass into a reflective surface, essentially bouncing light and images back, instead of letting light pass through. 

Mirrored glass can also serve architectural purposes, one example is one-way privacy glass often used in office windows or observation rooms, where one side acts like a mirror and the other side is transparent.

Low-E glass

Low-E glass is a type of coated glass designed to improve the thermal performance of windows. Low-E (short for low-emissivity) glass has a microscopically thin, transparent metal oxide coating applied to one side of the pane. This special coating reflects heat-inducing infrared light while still allowing visible light to pass through. 

In practical terms, Low-E glass helps reflect the interior heat back into the room during winter and reflect outside heat away during summer. It also significantly cuts down ultraviolet (UV) transmission, which protects furnishings from sun damage. From a casual glance, Low-E glass looks almost the same as ordinary clear glass, as the coating is invisible. They also are widely used in modern double glazing and window assemblies for homes and commercial buildings to meet energy efficiency requirements.

Wired glass

Wired glass is a specialised safety glass that includes a meshed wire embedded within it. During manufacturing, a metal wire mesh (which looks like chicken wire or a grid of thin wires) is laid into the glass while it’s still semi-molten. Once the glass solidifies, the wire is trapped inside. The main benefit is that if the glass cracks under stress or heat, the wire holds the pieces together, much like the laminate in laminated glass. 

Historically, wired glass was one of the first fire-resistant glazing options, the wire provides more strength at high temperatures and keeps the glass panel mostly intact when exposed to the heat and shock of a fire hose or thermal stress. Where is it used? Because of its rugged, institutional look, wired glass isn’t typically chosen for style. 

It’s commonly found in fire doors, industrial windows, and school or warehouse applications where building codes require a degree of fire resistance or impact safety.

Insulated glass units (double/triple glazing)

Insulated glass units (IGUs) are not a different glass material per se, but rather a combination of glass panes assembled to improve insulation. An IGU typically consists of two or more sheets of glass separated by a spacer around the edges, creating a sealed air gap in between. The cavity between the panes is filled with air or an inert gas like argon, which increases the thermal insulation by reducing heat transfer. By using double or even triple layers of glass, insulated units dramatically improve energy efficiency: they keep indoor spaces warmer in winter and cooler in summer compared to single-pane glass. 

They also help with sound reduction to a degree. Double-glazed and triple-glazed windows are now standard in most new homes and renovations, especially in colder climates or anywhere energy output is a concern. Almost all modern residential and commercial windows, doors, skylights and curtain walls use insulated glass units.

Learn more about the differences between double and triple-glazing in our blog.

Which type is best for you?

Choosing the right type of glass depends on the purpose, location, and performance requirements of your project. For example, toughened glass is ideal for safety-critical areas like doors, balustrades, and shower screens, while laminated glass offers added security and sound insulation for storefronts or external windows. If energy efficiency is your priority, Low‑E or insulated glass units will help reduce heat loss and keep your space comfortable year‑round. 

Decorative options such as frosted or patterned glass provide privacy without losing natural light, while tinted glass can help control glare and solar gain. By understanding the strengths of each option, you can match the right glass type to your design and needs, making sure your finished project is fit for purpose.

Contact Toughened Glass Systems Today

Toughened Glass Systems stands out as one of the UK’s leading independent glass suppliers, offering a range of high-quality glass products and glazing solutions. 

Whether you need custom-cut toughened panels, double glazing, or bespoke architectural glass features, our team are here to help. If you’re planning a build or renovation and have questions about which glass type is right for your needs, contact us today to talk to our knowledgeable team.

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