Breakage & Prevention
Why Glass Breaks: The Technical Reasons & How to Prevent It
Most glass failure isn’t random. It comes from edges, heat, installation, loads—or rare inclusions. Use this quick, customer-friendly guide to prevent breakage and choose the right glass every time.
Customer-Safe Choices
BS/EN Compliant
Quick Checklist
BS/EN Compliant
Quick Checklist
The Main Technical Reasons Glass Breaks
1) Stress Points & Edge Damage
Edges are the weakest area. Micro-chips or scratches act as crack starters under load.
- Prevent it: Order polished/safety edges; protect edges during handling and fitting.
2) Thermal Shock
Rapid temperature change creates uneven expansion and internal tension until failure.
- Prevent it: Use toughened or heat-soaked glass near cookers, radiators, or strong sun.
3) Improper Installation
Rigid frames, missing gaskets, or zero clearance create stress concentrations.
- Prevent it: Use setting blocks & soft gaskets; allow tolerance—never wedge glass tight.
4) Impact & Overloading
Annealed glass isn’t designed for heavy knocks or loads.
- Prevent it: Choose toughened/laminated for shelves, doors, balustrades; follow thickness & load limits.
5) Nickel Sulphide Inclusions (Rare)
Microscopic impurities in toughened glass can expand over time and trigger spontaneous breakage.
- Prevent it: Specify heat-soaked toughened glass for large or critical safety panels.
Quick Reference: Choose the Right Glass
| Situation | Recommended Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Near heat / strong sunlight | Toughened or Heat-Soaked | Resists thermal shock |
| Shelves, doors, balustrades | Toughened / Laminated | Impact resistance & safer break mode |
| Overhead / skylights | Laminated | Stays in place if broken |
| Premium clarity surfaces | Low-iron (as needed) | Reduces green tint; check thickness & load |
How to Prevent Glass Breakage (Checklist)
- Pick the right glass type (toughened, laminated, heat-soaked) for the location.
- Order polished/safety edges to remove stress starters.
- Allow tolerance & soft gaskets—avoid hard frame contact.
- Avoid rapid heat changes on non-toughened glass.
- Respect thickness & load limits on shelves/doors.
- Buy BS/EN-compliant products from trusted suppliers.
All products supplied by Glass Help Ltd are made to order and adhere to the relevant BS/EN standards where applicable.
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