Different Glass Types & Their Uses

Over our 50 year history, Lee Glass & Glazing have supplied, cut and installed a variety of glass types for a range of uses – in this guide, we will cover the different types of glass, how each is made and what benefits and applications they offer.

Float Glass

  • Also called ‘plate glass’
  • Made by floating molten glass on molten tin
  • Flat, smooth glass free of distortion
  • Available in a range of thicknesses and sizes
  • Probably the most widely used glass type, and suitable for windows, doors, glass furniture, mirrors and vehicles

Products that use Float Glass

Cost Guide

  • $
Glass Coating Advice

Toughened Glass

  • Crafted during a thermal tempering process which gives the glass its robust properties
  • Should the glass shatter, it breaks into square fragments rather than dangerous shards
  • As the name suggests, its toughened nature makes it highly resistant to cracks and stress
  • Can withstand high temperatures which makes it ideal for kitchen features and splashbacks
  • Used commonly in glass furniture, such as shower doors and shelves, and also in partitions and glass sliding doors
Toughened Glass
double glazed windows installed in Nottingham home

Laminated Glass

  • Enhances safety - the polymeric interlayer that binds the glass layers will hold the glass together upon impact, stopping it from shattering and scattering
  • Created by a process of high heat and pressure to fuse the polymeric layer with the glass panes
  • Durable and robust
  • Energy efficient
  • High security glass for commercial and domestic use e.g. shop fronts, car windscreens, front doors
Laminated Glass

Products that use Laminated Glass

  • Shop Fronts
  • External & Internal Doors
  • Vehicle Windscreens
  • Shelving
  • Shower Screens
  • Security Glass

Cost Guide

  • $
  • $
  • $

Tinted Glass

  • Protects your privacy by preventing others from seeing into your property, whilst still allowing plenty of natural sunlight to enter
  • Tint is created by adding colour to the glass
  • Offers health benefits by reducing glare and harmful UV rays
  • Suited for vehicles, skylights and other areas where privacy is paramount

Products that use Tinted Glass

Cost Guide

  • $
  • $

Obscured Glass

  • Textured with patterns or frosting
  • Designs are imprinted on heated glass using rollers to create a unique look
  • Transmits plenty of light but limits transparency
  • Perfect for areas where privacy is desired, such as shower doors and bathroom windows - levels of privacy can vary depending on the chosen design
  • Its decorative quality makes it ideal for front doors or statement windows
Obscured Glass

Products that use Obscured Glass

  • Bathroom windows
  • Internal glass doors
  • External doors

Cost Guide

  • $
  • $

Mirrored Glass

  • Reflective and used for both practical and interior design purposes
  • Created by applying a metal coating to one side of the glass - coatings can include aluminium, gold, silver, or chrome
  • Can be cut to any size e.g. bathroom mirrors, wall mirrors, full-length mirrors for wardrobe doors
Mirrored Glass

Products that use Mirrored Glass

  • Framed Mirrors
  • Wall Mirrors
  • Wardrobe Doors

Cost Guide

  • $
  • $

Decorative Glass

  • Coloured, etched or patterned glass
  • Stylish, beautiful and elegant
  • High standards of privacy
  • A variety of bespoke, coloured designs to make your property stand out
  • Suited for front doors or statement windows
Decorative Glass

Products that use Decorative Glass

  • Doors
  • Windows
  • Internal Glass Walls

Cost Guide

  • $
  • $
  • $
  • $
  • $

Wired Glass

  • Fire safety glass
  • Incorporates a wire mesh into the glass to hold it together, should it undergo cracking or breakage due to intense heat
  • Robust and difficult to break
  • Not very attractive, so often reserved for commercial or industrial areas

Products that use Wired Glass

  • Doors and windows of commercial buildings e.g in schools, hospitals
  • Glass panels of fire exit doors

Cost Guide

  • $
  • $
  • $
  • $
  • $

Coated Glass

  • Flat glass modified with a coating to give it certain desirable attributes e.g. scratch resistance, low maintenance, reflectance or transmission properties
  • Due to the variety of coatings available, the applications of this glass are varied depending on the modification
  • Often improves the thermal insulation of a property
Coated Glass

Products that use Coated Glass

  • External Windows
  • External Doors

Cost Guide

  • $
  • $
  • $