Glass pool fences in Australia are constructed from toughened glass which keeps your family and friends safe. You might be wondering what toughened glass is and whether it is different to the laminated glass commonly used for car windscreens.

What toughened glass and laminated glass have in common is that they are both specially treated to make them more robust and heat resistant, and so safer to use. However, these are two kinds of glass are different; they undergo different processes and are commonly used for different purposes because of their specific characteristics.

The Different Treatment Process For Toughened And Laminated Glass

Toughened glass is created through either a thermal or chemical strengthening process. Glass is either extremely heated in a furnace and cooled rapidly or immersed into a chemical solution. The result is toughened glass. Because this process makes the glass so strong, it is cut to the required size before undergoing the toughening process.

On the other hand, laminated glass is created by bonding two glass panes on either side of an inter laying tough resin plastic sheet. These three layers bonded together make it extra strong and resistant to both physical blows and heat.

How Toughened Glass And Laminated Glass Break Differently

Toughened and laminated glass are both sturdier than standard glass but respond differently when broken and so suit diverse tasks. Toughened glass is not easily broken, but when it does it shatters into small cube like pieces without sharp edges that are likely to cut or injure anyone nearby. This makes toughened glass safer than standard glass which breaks into nasty pointy splinters and shards.

When laminated glass breaks, the tough resin interlay sheet holds the broken glass splinters and shards together so it doesn't break up into pieces. Laminated glass is commonly used for car windscreens; in the event of an accident, the windscreen might crack, but will often not shatter into pieces.

Toughened glass can be used for tabletops, shower screens, glass shelves, splash backs and balustrades. Laminated glass can also be used for shower screens and shelving, and for glass doors and car windscreens. While these two types of glass differ, their uses do sometimes overlap.

Glass pool fencing in Australia uses toughened glass which complies with safety standards. It is unlikely to shatter, but if it does, it will not fragment into dangerous splinters and shards like standard glass. Its strength and durability make it the perfect safe option for glass pool fencing.