Tempered vs Annealed Glass Table Tops — Which Is Safer and More Durable?
Tempered vs Annealed Glass Table Tops — Which Is Safer and More Durable?
Updated · Safety & Design Guide by Glass Helper UK
When choosing a custom glass table top,
understanding the difference between tempered and annealed glass is essential for safety and performance.
Both have unique properties, but one clearly outperforms the other in strength and durability.
1) What Is Annealed Glass?
Annealed glass is the most basic form of float glass — slowly cooled during production to remove internal stresses.
It’s clear, affordable, and easy to cut, but it’s also fragile and breaks into large, sharp shards.
Pilkington UK
defines annealed glass as ideal for picture frames and low-risk applications, not furniture tops.
2) What Is Tempered (Toughened) Glass?
Tempered glass is produced by heating annealed glass to over 600°C and rapidly cooling it.
This process increases its strength by up to 5× and makes it much safer when broken — shattering into small, blunt fragments.
ToughGlaze UK
notes that tempered glass complies with BS EN 12150 standards for use in furniture and architectural applications.
3) Strength Comparison
| Property | Annealed Glass | Tempered Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Standard (baseline strength) | Up to 5× stronger |
| Breakage Pattern | Sharp, jagged shards | Small, safe granules |
| Heat Resistance | Up to 100°C | Up to 250°C |
| Safety Standard | No UK safety compliance | BS EN 12150 Certified |
Data Source: Guardian Glass Europe ·
SAVA UK
4) Safety & Applications
Tempered glass is required by UK law for all glass furniture, doors, and balustrades where human impact is possible.
It’s also recommended for dining tables, coffee tables, and shelves where durability matters.
Annealed glass, by contrast, should only be used as a protective overlay or in enclosed frames.
5) Edge Finishing and Polishing
Both types of glass can be customized with different edge finishes. However, tempered glass can only be polished or cut before the toughening process.
For families, pencil-polished edges and radius corners remain the safest options.
6) Cost Considerations
While tempered glass costs around 20–40% more than annealed, the investment pays off long-term.
Its durability, safety compliance, and resistance to thermal shock make it the standard for premium furniture.