How to Cut Tempered Glass [Step By Step Process]

Tempered glass is a type of safety glass, ​designed so that if it breaks, it will not shatter into shards. Ordinary glass shards are very dangerous, and tempered glass is made to crumble into small pieces, which is a lot safer.

Because tempered glass is resilient and strong, it can be hard to cut.​ And, if you don’t cut the ​tempered glass properly, it may break into pieces. ​So, can you cut tempered glass? I’ve outlined the steps to safely cut tempered glass so that you end up with accurate cuts. 

What Is Tempered Glass?

You need to understand the importance of annealing so you can become more proficient at cutting tempered glass. During the ordinary glass-forming process, the tempered glass may develop permanent stresses.

To ensure dimensional stability and to prevent excess tension in critical areas, the stresses must be reduced. Annealing is used to do this.

Thermal Tempering Process for Tempered Glass

The thermal tempering process happens when the tempered glass is rapidly cooled or quenched at a specific temperature by using symmetrically placed air jets.

Because the outer layers of tempered glass are cooled more rapidly than the inside, the ordinary glass is compressed, which strengthens the tempered glass.

During the process, the inside of the tempered glass is stretched. This type of process often works well for ordinary glass that is of regular thickness. Ordinary glass that is thick may fracture if this type of strengthening process is done.

A large number of ordinary glass products can be strengthened substantially by the use of thermal tempering. However, again, if the ordinary glass is too thick, it may break or violently break apart into a large number of shards.

Because ordinary glass that is not tempered can break into jagged pieces and cause serous injuries, tempered safety glass is often required in certain commercial applications, such as the manufacture of shower doors.

How Tempered Glass is Strengthened​

​For a lot of uses, tempered glass needs to be strengthened. On its own, it just isn’t strong enough. Technological advancements have led to two primary ways of strengthening ordinary glass: tempered and heat-strengthened.

​Both processes involve heating the tempered glass to a temperature above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The differences between the two methods are in the cooling process:

• Heat strengthening cools the glass surface slowly, which results in really strong glass. It doesn’t have the safety features that tempered glass has, but it is almost twice as strong as un-annelaed ordinary glass. 
• Tempered glass is cooled a lot faster to create higher surface compression, resulting in what is considered safety glass that is 4x-5x stronger than standard, unnealed glass. 

​Where Tempered Glass is Used

Wherever safety is required, tempered glass is preferred. Here are the most common areas you’ll find tempered safety glass:

• Shower and bathtub doors
• Car windshields
• Balcony and sliding glass doors
• Windows and skylights

Tempered glass is best whenever there is potential for human contact with broken glass.

How to Cut Tempered Glass

Can you cut tempered glass? Which is better, doing it yourself or using professional services? While you can have a professional cut tempered glass, you will find that cutting tempered glass yourself offers two major advantages:

• You can cut tempered glass to your precise specifications.
• You can make any modifications without incurring any extra costs.

Tools Needed

You’ll need tools for both preparing the safety glass and to cut glass. For starters, here are the tools to gather to prepare the glass:

• A kiln to anneal tempered glass
• Heat-resistant vessel
• Small amount of water (around two cups)
• Cooling rack
• Thick work gloves
• Tongs

Next, gather the following tools to cut a tempered glass panel:

• Safety goggles
• Leather gloves
• Straight edge (ruler)
• Permanent marker
• Glass cutter
• Dowel (1/4 inch or .64 centimeters – nothing larger)
• Course sandpaper – 10-grit

How to Anneal Tempered Glass

Annealing is used to cut tempered safety glass. Annealing is a heat treatment type process that changes the microstructure of the glass so it is easier to cut.

Start the process by using a kiln to ensure that the glass is easy to cut and use. Without a kiln, you cannot safely cut the glass.

Place the Glass to be Cut Inside a Kiln

The kiln’s intense heat will soften the coating so you can anneal tempered glass. Unless you are going to use the kiln often, you should see if you can borrow one or access it. A kiln, for example, may be accessed through the art department at a community college.

Note: The annealing process removes the stress points from the tempered glass. These stress points cause the glass to break into countless pieces whenever it is cut. Without the stress points, the anneal tempered glass can be safely cut, and will not shatter or crumble.

Place the Glass in a Heat-Resistant Vessel

The vessel you use can be purchased at either a glass store or art store. Place the newly annealed glass in the container and cover it with about 3/4″ of water.

Allow the Glass to Soak inside the Kiln 30 Minutes

This part of the process is important, as the kiln needs to be set at a high enough temperature for the glass to anneal.

• Effetre, Lauscha, and Bullseye glasses should be soaked at 940 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Borosilicate tempered glass should be soaked at 1,050 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Satake tempered glass should be soaked at around 890 degrees Fahrenheit.

It helps to use a temperature controller to maintain a constant temperature inside the kiln.

Cool the Glass Gradually

If you are not sure what type of glass you are annealing, lower the kiln’s temperature to around 800 degrees Fahrenheit. If the glass is Satake, use a cooling temperature of about 750 degrees Fahrenheit.

The tempered glass surface should be cooled inside the kiln for about three hours.

Remember the following points when cooling tempered glass:

• Cooling the glass surface at too fast of rate will cause the development of additional stresses. This, in turn, will weaken the glass.
• The strain point, during cooling, is the internal pressure that decreases inside a sheet of glass. Once the glass cools below the strain point, it will not break.

Remove the Tempered Glass from the Kiln 

Once the glass has been cooled, remove the sheet from the kiln. Use tongs to remove the glass, as it will still be extremely hot. Wear thick gloves when using the tongs and removing the glass.

Position the glass surface on a cooling rack overnight before you try to cut the tempered glass. If you try to cut the tempered glass when it still is hot, you can injure yourself and damage or break the glass.

One Point to Remember – As the anneal tempered glass cools inside the kiln, the outer part of the glass will cool more quickly than the inside. Therefore, if the exterior feels cool, it does not mean the glass is ready. Use caution during handling. Cooling the glass gradually reduces any build-up of stress and will lead to a better and more uniform cut.

Cutting Tempered Glass

Now you are ready to cut safety glass. You need to follow the steps below to ensure a successful cut.

1. Clean the glass: Just like normal glass, tempered glass is really easy to clean. Spray and clean the glass with a window cleaner and wipe it clean with a soft, lint-free dry cloth. You should always clean the glass first to ensure that the cut is precise and smooth.
2. Wear leather gloves and safety goggles: After the normal glass has gone through the annealing process, it is no longer called safety glass. Therefore, any breakage could harm you. The glove and goggles will protect hands and eyes from harm.
3. Produce a straight line with the permanent marker: Use a metal ruler and measure the desired shape you want to cut the tempered glass. Hold the ruler along the line. Follow up by using a permanent marker to mark a straight line along the ruler’s edge to sketch the desired shape.
4. Use a safety glass cutter to score the surface: Keep the ruler in place, so you have a guide for cutting the glass to the desired shape. Place the glass cutter at the start of the line, and move the cutter over the total length of the marked line. Press down moderately for cutting. Never run the glass cutter along the line more than one time.
5. Place a wooden dowel under the cut: After you have scored the line, place a dowel (about 1/4 inch) beneath it. This will prevent you from shattering the glass. Don’t use a dowel that is larger, or you may cause the glass to break.
6. Use an even and sharp pressure: Use both hands to apply an equal amount of pressure on either side of the dowel. This will cause the glass to snap along the line into two smoothly cut pieces.
7. Sand the cut glass: Use 10-grit coarse sandpaper to remove the roughness from the edge of the cut glass. Doing so will make the glass safer and more reliable to handle. Don’t skip this step, as doing so could cause a serious injury.

Caution: When performing any of the above steps, make sure you are wearing your safety goggles and gloves. Don’t take them off during the entire glass-cutting and sanding process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Can you cut tempered glass? Yes, cutting tempered glass on your own is very possible. You just need to know what tools to use and what steps to take.