Are frameless shower doors safe?

The truth behind the glass

Frameless shower doors are not thin measures

Frameless glass shower doors are made of tempered or safety glass, which is less likely to break than laminated and annealed glass. The likelihood of breakage is minimal, but the possibility is always there. 

Tempered glass for frameless shower stalls is available in 1/2-inch and 3/8-inch thicknesses. This glass is specially treated to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a break.

Tempered glass prevents breakage

Tempered glass is approximately four times stronger than laminated or annealed glass, with a minimum surface compression of 10,000 pounds per square inch. If annealed glass breaks, it forms shards and jagged pieces that can easily cut or cause injury. In the event that tempered glass does break, it will form small pieces, reducing the risk of injury. Tempered glass can break like this because it is made by heating and then quickly cooling the glass.

Safety glass can also be made by heating annealed glass to about 680 degrees Celsius. The glass is placed on a roller conveyor, rolled through the furnace, and then rapidly cooled with forced air jets (a process called quenching).

Tempered glass can also be manufactured by a chemical process by immersing the glass in a potassium salt bath. This results in the exchange of sodium atoms with larger potassium atoms and provides higher strength within the glass. 

Any modifications to the glass must be made before the glass can be thermally or chemically strengthened. If any holes are drilled or cut in the glass, the newly tempered glass will break.

Safety glass does not limit options

While safety glass is stronger and more resistant to breakage, it is still prone to breakage. Tempered glass has an overall balance of stress between the glass itself, but if a concentrated blow from a hard object occurs, tempered glass will eventually break. Tempered glass is known to break at around 9,700 psi if dropped on its edges. 

Tempered glass does not change the appearance of clear, tinted or etched glass patterns.

The heat treatment used to treat the glass makes it heat resistant in many applications, except frameless shower doors. Tempered glass is suitable for applications that are subject to heat, such as automobile windshields and computer screens. Other uses for tempered glass include residential construction projects, household appliances and commercial applications. 

What to do to prevent the potential hazards of glass shower doors

Glass in the home is a hazard, as any home with aspiring athletes will tell you. Glass doors and windows are no match for a thrown baseball or soccer - or even a child who falls through them. There's no such thing as an injury-proof home. Glass shower doors are hardly the most dangerous glass in the house. Last year's Consumer Reports noted that glass coffee tables are a much greater risk precisely because tempered glass is not typically used. It said these tables cause about 20,000 injuries a year.

Nonetheless, the risks posed by glass shower doors are real. We think injuries caused by falling through the door - rather than spontaneous shattering - are a bigger problem. As a result, he believes glass doors may not be appropriate for homes with elderly residents. Parents with small children may also want to consider the additional risks of glass shower doors.

In the event of a spontaneous blowout, it's important to have a bath towel on hand and use it to throw broken glass off the floor to create a safe route to the bathroom.

Frosted or otherwise less transparent shower doors tend to break more easily.

Harold offer a set of safety tips for long-term maintenance of shower doors.

✺ Make sure the mobile panel is securely attached to the door system. If concerned, consult your instructions or contact the manufacturer.

✺ Check shower door hardware regularly to ensure fasteners remain secure. If needed, tighten them.

✺ Ensure that glass panels that move during operation do not come into direct contact with walls or metal. This means checking panel alignment and making sure bumpers and seals are in good condition.

✺ Periodically inspect the glass for any chips or cracks, paying particular attention to hardware around glass edges, notches and glass holes. If there are any signs of cracks, replace the glass panel immediately.

✺ Do not use the shower door towel bar as a safety grab bar or lifting aid when entering or exiting the tub or getting on or off the toilet.