Glass Types
Novatec Glass offers the most extensive selection of glass products tailored for the global market. With deep expertise in glass, we aim to simplify your decision-making by sharing insights into the different types available.
Types of Glass and Their Features
Float Glass
Float glass is created by melting raw materials like sand, soda ash, dolomite, and limestone. The molten mixture is poured onto a bed of molten tin, forming a continuous ribbon approximately 3.7 meters wide. It is then gradually cooled to relieve internal stress, making it easier to cut. We source only the best quality float glass with exceptional flatness and clarity. Options include clear, tinted, high-performance tinted, low-iron, textured, and coated varieties.
Toughened (Tempered) Glass
Toughened, also known as tempered, glass is significantly stronger than standard annealed (float) glass—at least four times more resilient. When shattered, it breaks into small, less harmful pieces, making it ideal for high-safety applications like facades, doors, and shower screens. Occasionally, toughened glass may break spontaneously due to nickel sulfide (NiS) inclusions. Heat soaking after the toughening process can help detect and eliminate these inclusions, though it’s not foolproof and may slightly reduce the glass’s strength.
Laminated Safety Glass
This glass consists of two or more layers bonded with a plastic or resin interlayer. If broken, he interlayer holds the fragments together, enhancing safety. Most glass types can be laminated, and interlayer thickness can be adjusted for added protection. Laminated glass is also suitable for cutting and further processing.
Custom Laminate
Toughened laminated glass is a high-performance safety glass that combines the strength of toughened (tempered) glass (or heat strengthened) with
the security and resilience of lamination. It is made by bonding two or more sheets of toughened/heat strengthened glass together with a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) or EVA interlayer under heat and pressure. Toughened laminated glass combines two safety features: toughened glass strength and a laminated interlayer that holds shards together if broken. This means even under heavy impact, the glass resists shattering and stays intact, preventing injuries and maintaining structural integrity—ideal for floors, facades, and high-risk areas.
Low Emissivity (Low E) Coated Glass
Low E glass helps regulate heat transfer by emitting less absorbed heat, resulting in improved insulation and a lower U-value. A pyrolytic coating process is applied during float glass production, applying ultra-thin metallic oxide layers via chemical vapor deposition. These coatings are highly durable and offer benefits such as solar control, reduced reflection, and even self-cleaning properties.
Heat Strengthened Glass
This type undergoes a heat treatment at around 680°C, followed by slower cooling than toughened glass. It is roughly twice as strong as annealed (float) glass and tends to break into larger pieces that may stay in the frame. However, it is not classified as safety glass under building regulations.
Insulating Glass Units (IGUs)
Double-glazed units (DGUs) provide excellent thermal insulation, reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, which improves energy efficiency and lowers utility costs. They also offer sound insulation, creating quieter indoor spaces, and enhance condensation control by maintaining warmer interior glass surfaces. Additionally, DGUs improve security and durability, making them ideal for both residential and commercial applications
Curved Glass
Curved glass offers a sleek, modern aesthetic while providing uninterrupted views and design flexibility. It enables architects to create flowing, organic shapes that optimize space and maintain structural strength, making it ideal for facades, balustrades, and premium interiors.
In both Australia and International we can do the thickness (3000mm x 5000mm) of 5mm to 15mm. In Australia the tightest radius is 1200mm. Imports the tightest radius is 500mm.