General Information
Tempered glass is often called safety glass. It must comply with safety glazing standards and has a surface compression of at least 10,000 pounds per square inch. It is less likely to break than regular glass, because the rapid heating and cooling used in its production makes in four to five times stronger. And even when it does break, it doesn't come apart in sharp fragments. Instead, it breaks into small oval-shaped pieces.
Sizes
You can find tempered glass tabletops in a variety of sizes. They can be as small as 3 feet wide to as large as 10 to 12 feet. Tempered glass is also used for sliding glass doors, so size is certainly not limited. If you need to replace a tempered glass patio tabletop, it's best to get it from the manufacturer that supplied your table, because tempered glass tops often have a specific design, size and thickness.
Shapes
Tempered glass is available in a variety of shapes. This includes round and oval. Square, rectangle and hexagon shapes are also available.
Colors
Tempered glass is usually translucent. But some tempered glass tops are tinted. Tempered glass is available in tinted colors ranging from subtle shades of blue and gray to brighter hues. The type of base the glass sits on can influence what it looks like. For example, if you place tempered glass on a black wicker base, the top will look like it is black. as well. Tempered glass can also have reflective qualities, so the color can change, based on what it is reflecting.
Appearance
Tempered glass often looks like frosted glass. But it may also have a pattern. And although most tempered glass tops are translucent, some clear-glass tops are available.