The Difference Between Tempered & Ceramic Glass?

TEMPERED GLASS

In order for glass to be used in heating applications such as masonry or prefab fireplace doors, it must be:

• strong
• resistant to thermal shock
• able to prevent personal injury by altering the breakage pattern

When regular glass is put through a heat treatment process called “tempering,” the result is a durable product that can endure constant temperatures of 450°F. (Anything above this will weaken the glass and make it more susceptible to breaking and shattering.) If damaged, tempered glass will break into small pieces, causing the entire sheet to fragment; whereas regular glass breaks into long, sharp splinters.

CERAMIC GLASS

Unlike tempered glass, ceramic glass (or pyroceram) is:

• a transparent ceramic material
• able to withstand steady extreme temperatures
• resistant to shattering or breaking due to thermal shock

In cases where fireplace or stove doors are less than 6 inches from the flames, or when the heat within the application reaches temperatures between 450° and 1200°F.