Commercial glass refers to glass that is used in windows and doors, and for applications such as a glass shower screen or glass shelving; commercial glass doesn't mean just glass pieces in a commercial building, but this term refers to pieces other than drinking glasses, eyeglasses, and other such items. If you need to have any window, glass door, glass shower screen or other piece installed at home or in a commercial building, note some common misconceptions about commercial glass, so you can better understand your options and will know what to discuss with a glass installer.

Safety glass

It's a common misconception that safety glass means very strong, thick glass, such as you would use for bulletproof windows in a bank. However, safety glass simply refers to a toughened or laminated glass that is less likely to break than many standard forms of glass, and which may not necessarily be so strong that it can stop a bullet! Safety glass is often legally required to be used for glass shower screens, commercial glass doors or glass shelving, as safety glass has less risk of breaking on impact, and typically just cracks rather than shatters if it does suffer damage.

Dual pane

Many people assume that if one pane of glass in a double-glazed window breaks, then you can fix that one pane alone. However, those two panes are typically sealed or attached to each other with a type of laminating process, so that they hold a layer or air or argon gas between. When one pane breaks, this also breaks this lamination, so that the insulation between them is compromised. In these cases, you would need to replace the entire window and not just the one pane of glass.

Your own glass

Never assume that you can use your own glass for new windows, shelving and the like; as said above, safety glass is often legally required to be used in some applications, and the glass you have from old projects or even old windows may not be up to local building codes. There might also be construction limitations to consider; for example, putting a large stained glass window in a certain exterior wall of your home may mean compromising the strength of the home's frame. Always check on local building codes or discuss your ideas for using your own glass with a building contractor before you assume that just any glass can be used for any type of application.