In pursuit of contemporary and chic aesthetics, both homeowners and business professionals are gravitating towards the utilization of tempered glass. Its rising popularity is largely attributable to its blend of form and function, marking a notable trend in modern design preferences. Tempered glass serves as a robust and safe choice for sliding patio doors, its strength forged through a meticulous thermal process that bolsters its durability, sturdiness, and heat resistance.
Given appropriate maintenance and care, a brand-new tempered glass door can stand the test of time, serving you faithfully for many years. Commonly known as safety glass, it provides an added layer of security as it avoids shattering into hazardous shards upon breaking. However, even this resilient material is not invulnerable to clouding or scratches. In the absence of proper upkeep, the tempered glass door's lifespan may diminish, necessitating frequent repairs or even replacements.
This article aims to offer valuable insights and practical tips to enhance the longevity and performance of your tempered glass door, ensuring its endurance and aesthetic appeal in the long run.
Understanding the Benefits and Properties of Tempered Glass Doors
Tempered glass is thermally and physically stronger than conventional glasses. The glass is always treated to create interior and exterior stress in the material. Glass is classified as "tempered" if it has a minimum stress of 10,000 psi. For tempered glass to be considered safe, the surface compressive stress needs to exceed 15,000 psi. These are some of the popular properties of tempered glass doors. These properties have made tempered glass doors offer several benefits. Some of its outstanding benefits include:
Strong and Sturdy
Do you have any idea how long tempered glass lasts? Tempered glass is about four times stronger when compared to annealed glass or the usual glass. Tempered glass gets extra strength from the thermal tempering process. During the procedure, in the quenching stage, the outside surface goes into compression. This makes the glass five times less breakable than glass in tension. It explains why the tempered glass is capable of withstanding minor explosions, direct blower,s, and powerful winds.
Safe
Tempered glass is specifically designed for safety purposes. In case it encounters an explosion or blow that can shatter it, it will break into tiny granules and not sharp shards. This feature is among the reasons why most homeowners and business people prefer to have it installed in their properties.
Heat Resistant
Tempered glass is capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 470 degrees Fahrenheit. This explains why it is very common in kitchen appliances and areas that are always in contact with heat.
Scratch Resistant
The thermal procedure the tempered glass is subjected to makes it strong and resistant to scratching. With this, it is capable of preserving the transparency and clarity of the glass. It explains why most of the phone screens, car windows, and glass doors are made from tempered glass.
Potential Issues with Tempered Glass Doors and the Importance of Maintenance
Tempered glass doors are very popular in current times. In this section, we will take you through some of the common potential issues and the importance of maintaining them.
Here are some of the common potential issues
Bent Track: When the metal track at the bottom or top of the tempered glass door breaks, it can be hard to close or open the door.
Broken Panes: With all the glasswork that comes with tempered glass doors, one issue you will always risk experiencing is broken panes. Apart from being a safety concern, broken windows will leave your house or office vulnerable to potential burglars and elements.
Damaged Wheels: When the track is damaged or the door has come off the track, the wheels can be damaged, with the screws holding them in place requiring replacement or tightening.
Compromised Locks: The locks can be easy and simple for someone to jimmy open when the sliding glass door is older.
Dirty Rollers: Rollers are what will help the sliding glass door slide. Dirt and dust can get into the rollers making your door stuck.
Bad or Broken Seal: When the seal of your tempered glass door is worn out or tattered, you can feel the draft through the house or see more bugs in your house or office.
Cleaning and Protecting Tempered Glass Doors
When cleaning tempered glass doors, you will need appropriate cleaning tools.
Use the following tools:
Microfiber cloths
Cleaning agents such as dish soap
Sponge or other soft cloth
Scrunched-up newspaper
Do not use abrasive cleaning products. Also reject scraping tools like razor blades and be cautious with some of the squeegees.
Here is a step by step guide on how to clean tempered glass doors:
Step 1
Get your tempered glass cleaned. Add 2 cups of hot water with 1 table spoon of dish soap. You can also use a 50/50 solution of water and rubbing alcohol.
Step 2
Soak the microfiber, lint-free rag, or sponge in diluted alcohol or soapy water. Squeeze most of the liquid and apply the cleaner to the tempered glass door.
Step 3
Scrub the glass door gently using a piece of rag, sponge, or cloth. Focus on the dirty areas.
Step 4
Ensure you buff the glass door with a scrunched-up newspaper or dry microfiber if you use diluted alcohol. It will take you a few minutes since alcohol evaporates fast.
Step 5
If using soapy water, rinse the sponge or cloth in plain water. Thereafter, squeeze the excess liquid and wipe the door to remove any soap residue.
Step 6
Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry the door. Ensure you do it fast to avoid any streaks.
Techniques for Removing Scratches and Stains from Tempered Glass Doors
There are three techniques you can use for scratch and stain removal from tempered glass doors.
Use of Toothpaste and Soft Piece of Cloth
Apply whitening toothpaste in small amounts to a clean, soft cloth. Whitening toothpaste is more abrasive than normal toothpaste. Thereafter, buff the scratched tempered glass in small circular motions. The toothpaste grit is enough to remove the tiny scratches from the tempered glass. When you are through with rubbing, rinse the glass using water to reveal the work you have been doing. If the scratch still exists, repeat the process a couple of times. Consider moving to a different cleaning solution if the scratch persists after three attempts.
Liquid Pumice Soap or Steel Wool
The liquid pumice soap or steel wool comes with extra abrasive elements that are capable of removing scratches from tempered glass more than toothpaste. The superfine grad pad buffs the glass without creating any scratches. All you have to do is ensure the steel wool is in excellent condition since rust or any imperfections can scratch the tempered glass when you buff it. Ensure you move your hand in small circular motions when using the liquid pumice soap or steel wool. Remember to rinse the tempered glass of any residue to reveal your work. If the scratches persist, consider using power tools.
Sanders or Buffers
You can consider using this technique if the first two fail to work. Buffing or sanding helps remove polished metals or scratches from tempered glass.
Preventative Measures for Avoiding Damage to Tempered Glass Doors
To avoid expensive repairs, there are a few preventative measures you can use to help protect your tempered glass doors.
Here are the most reliable protection measures you can count on:
Clean on a Regular Basis
It is important that you clean your glass surfaces on a regular basis. The tempered glass doors should not be left with dust, stains, or any buildup for long periods of time. When you fail to remove the grime and stains, the tempered glass door's integrity will start to reduce, and the door will be more damaged in the end. Ensure you use a reliable cleaning solution that will remove any kind of scratch, dirt, or dust from the glass.
Cover the Doors
Whenever you carry out a home improvement project, like painting the exterior or interior of the house, cover your tempered glass door to protect it from any type of damage. Never assume a few stains will not do much damage. The few stains, if left to linger, can be difficult to remove. A few stains can force you to spend more time trying to remove them.
Consider Use of Soft Water
Part of the stains found in tempered glass doors are caused by hard water. Hard water contains calcium and other minerals, which can leave a thick residue on your glass doors. Opt for soft water whenever you are cleaning your tempered glass doors.
Seeking Professional Maintenance and Repair Services
Professional maintenance and repair services have a dedicated team of experts who specialize in maintaining and repairing tempered glass doors. The experts are licensed, certified and have experience handling different repair and maintenance services. Hence, you can always count on professional maintenance and repair services to do an excellent job for you. Professional invests in the right cleaning tools and will not put your glass door at risk.
Expert Insights and Advice for Maintaining Tempered Glass Doors
It is important to carry out tempered glass door maintenance on a regular basis. Only use the right type of cleaning tools to avoid damaging your tempered glass door and ensure you get great results from your maintenance.
If you are not knowledgeable enough, consider hiring professional maintenance and repair services to carry out the tempered glass door maintenance for you.
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