Despite its common name, specialty glass is different from regular glass in some ways. In contrast to conventional glass, borosilicate is a type of specialty glass West Palm beach that uses boron oxide instead of lime and soda during manufacturing. This mineral helps to bind silicate, sodium oxide, and aluminum oxide. Ultimately, this type of glass is stronger and more durable than ordinary glass.

Patterned glass

There are a few ways to distinguish patterned glass from ordinary glass. The material is not perfectly smooth but instead has different patterns engraved or imprinted into it. The depth of the pattern and its size determines the direction of reflection. This type of glass is commonly used in windows and shower doors but can also be used in decorative furniture. It is also available in various tints, making it a popular choice for privacy walls.

Patterned glass is a type of tempered glass, and it is crafted similarly to float glass. This material is heated, then pressed by a roller as it moves. This method yields two-sided patterned glass. Tempered, double-glazed, or laminated glass is available. It can also be cut like plate glass. Depending on the thickness of the glass, it can be tinted or opaque.

Obscure glass

Obscure glass is decorative glass that reduces visibility through its pane. The degree of privacy it affords varies from one to five. One level of obscurity offers full privacy, while five levels allow for complete light transmission. The most obscure glass comes tempered to improve strength and eliminate the risk of shattering. Moreover, it produces safer fragments. 

Obscure glass is typically made of a glass panel with a metallic coating. This coating creates an effect similar to a one-way mirror. Such windows are often used in commercial buildings for security reasons, but they also help keep interiors cooler. Similarly, fully opaque glass is invisible, letting no light pass through. In the UK, obscure glass is required in public street windows. It is done to ensure that the privacy of building occupants is maintained while ensuring that people can’t be seen through the window.

Soda-lime glass

Soda-lime glass differs from ordinary glass in several ways, including its chemical composition and durability. It’s relatively inexpensive, chemically stable, and extremely workable. Because it can be melted and reformed often, soda-lime glass is often used for glass recycling. Soda-lime glass is often preferred over chemically pure silica, known as fused quartz. Pure silica has a high melting point and is difficult to work with. Glass with a lower sodium and magnesium content is better suited for container applications.

Soda-lime glass expands and contracts about 1/3 less than ordinary glass. However, it is not as readily recyclable as ordinary glass. Similarly, borosilicate glass can be easily transported from the freezer to the oven or vice-versa. It is also resistant to thermal shock. Thus, it’s better suited for applications that require the use of heated glassware. However, soda-lime glass isn’t as widely available as borosilicate glass.

Borosilicate glass

You may not realize it, but borosilicate glass is much better for kitchenware than ordinary glass. Its low expansion rate, food-safe properties, and resistance to corrosive elements make it the glass of choice for upscale restaurants, scientific labs, and the home. In addition, while borosilicate glass is not bulletproof or unbreakable, it is more resistant to blunt force than ordinary glass. As a result, it makes it less likely to shatter than, say, soda-lime glass.