Updated: 3rd of March 2025
Glass is becoming increasingly popular as a focus feature in both commercial and residential construction projects, and offers a range of applications such as balconies, balustrades, staircases, shop fronts and even flooring.
When selecting glass for a project, it’s important to consider the strength, durability and design choices for different types of glass. This blog will break down the applications of annealed glass, along with scenarios where it wouldn’t be appropriate.
What is annealed glass?
Annealed glass refers to glass which has not been toughened or heat-strengthened. Instead, annealed glass is heated up and then slowly cooled down to reduce any internal stresses in a controlled environment. This does not impact its molecular structure.
The process of heating and gently cooling annealed glass helps to remove any distortions and improve its stability. However, it does not toughen the glass as no additional surface pressure is introduced during the cooling process, which would increase its strength.
How is annealed glass made?
At SGP, we process annealed glass by applying heat to flat glass, then allowing it to cool slowly. This softens the sheet and allows us to shape it in a curved glass mould from a template or a Specialist Glass custom CAD drawing.
Annealed glass can also be laminated, which is where two layers are placed together with a specialist interlayer. This increases the strength, and can support thermal efficiency as heat can’t travel through the glass as easily.
Annealed glass units are often available in many different sizes. At SGP, we can process and deliver annealed glass up to a thickness of 4-19mm. Our maximum size is 3700x2400mm, while the minimum is 100x100mm.
What is the difference between annealed and toughened glass?
Annealed glass is much more pliable and flexible than toughened glass, so it takes less effort to make into bespoke designs. This may benefit the customer by allowing for more complex design choices, such as bespoke curves, within a specific timeframe or budget.
It takes less time and effort to process, annealed glass is often more budget-friendly compared to toughened and toughened laminated glass. However, the properties of annealed glass can vary based on design options and thicknesses.
One disadvantage is that, unlike toughened glass, if annealed glass breaks, it shatters into longer, jagged shards – which can be dangerous and cause injury.
On the other hand, toughened glass is around four times stronger than annealed glass because of the tempering process where it’s subjected to intense heating and rapid cooling, which creates a tough outer layer that can withstand impacts.
Laminated glass is manufactured to have a thin layer of plastic in between two panes of glass, meaning that if it breaks, it doesn’t shatter. So, in the event of the glass getting smashed, the risk of injury is lower. This makes it more suitable for high-traffic areas and features where safety glass is required.
Despite the differences in durability, annealed and toughened glass can still have the same aesthetic appeal, and create a high-quality glass feature which maximises natural light to support sustainable buildings.
When should annealed glass be used?
For commercial and residential projects where safety is essential but safety glass is not required, annealed glass is a great choice.
Take a look at the following applications:
- Glass skylights,
- Elevator enclosures,
- Hotel lobbies entrances,
- Shopfronts & display windows,
- Partitions and room dividers.
However, if you require glass with a greater level of security and safety, such as shopfronts, glass balustrades or walk-on glass, then toughened and laminated glass are better options.
In addition, some building regulations also specify that safety glass must be used, so toughened, laminated glass is more suited to ensure the project aligns with safety regulations.
How SGP can help you decide on the right glass for your project
Annealed glass is a very adaptable material, and there are various types of glass you can use, depending on your individual requirements. At SGP, we can offer curved, wired, tinted and clear annealed glass to suit your design choices, and can add individual designs or holes too.
If you’re unsure of the best type of glass to use, or you’d simply like some additional information on toughened, laminated or annealed glass, contact our friendly team. You can also check out our case studies for inspiration as to how different types of glass can be used.
