Glass Buying Guide

Types of Glass

At Aacme Glass we sell a range of different glass products to satisfy our customers. Our products include toughened safety glass, laminated glass, mirrored glass, balustrade glass, glass splashbacks, and obscure glass. To a non-glass expert, it may not be clear what all these types of glass are and what they are used for. If you are looking for glass for a specific product, you need to know what it actually is you are after. This is why we have produced this buying guide which gives you all the information you need to know about glass to make a confident and educated purchase. We offer our glass services in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and the rest of South Wales. If you need more help, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team on 01633 244926 and they will be able to answer any of your questions.

Toughened Glass

Exactly the same thickness as standard glass but up to five times stronger, toughened glass is ideal for load-bearing, so you can use it in a greater variety of ways. This allows for far greater versatility when it comes to design, and is frequently used for windows, interior design and glass balustrades. At Aacme Glass, our toughened safety glass meets the highest standards of safety. For all projects and applications where you require the benefits of standard glass panes with the combined extra strength of toughened glass, our team of master craftsmen can provide a comprehensive, proven solution. From table tops to shelves, protective furniture glass, door glass, balustrade panes, clear and coloured splashbacks; the possibilities are virtually endless. Unlike regular glass, toughened glass breaks into small glass chunks instead of sharp, splintered shards. This makes toughened glass the perfect solution for high-impact applications including table tops, glass balustrades and bannisters, or even a beautiful glass shower.

All toughened glass produced at Aacme Glass conforms to the requirements of BS 6206: 1981 Class A and is of the highest safety standard. Cut to any size and shape, you can order ahead and we’ll have your glass ready in no time.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is a special type of safety glass that holds in place when breaking under high impact. With a strong but barely visible interlayer, if this type of glass was to break under impact, the potentially dangerous shards won’t shatter. These shards of glass are held securely in place by the laminated layer and keep yourself and others safe from injury. Ideal for use in high-impact applications such as balustrades, doors or shopfronts. Not only does it provide on the safety front, but it also offers improved sound insulation and reduces incoming UV rays. For a shatter-free safety solution and for that added security around the home or at work, our team are able to provide a range of glass solutions cut to any size and shape. As with all of our glass supplies, quality is our number one priority. Each sheet of laminated glass we sell complies with EN ISO 12543 so high standards are guaranteed. If you have any questions about the type of glass you need, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Mirrored Glass

If you want a new mirror, it is worth considering a glass cut mirror as this product will be made unique to your requirements, not something you would find on the high street. Mirrors can be the perfect solution to providing light in certain rooms of your home, opening up small spaces, and even bringing a room to life with its own unique style. At Aacme Glass, our mirrors are available in any size and any shape, just get in touch with your dimensions and designs and we’ll create a made-to-measure mirror that’s as unique as you are. From classic full-length mirrors through to a more contemporary designer mirror, our mirrored glass can be cut to fit any frame, giving you the flexibility and versatility you’re looking for.

Our team of master craftsmen are always on hand to craft the highest quality mirrors – cut to any shape and size. Our bespoke glass cutting service allows you to select from a great range of basic and custom designs with a great choice of beautiful frames available. A mirror is a fantastic addition to any room, instantly creating the illusion of extra space as well as adding charm, elegance and, of course, practicality. Whether you need something simple to do your make-up in the morning or more of a statement piece for the dining room, you’ll find it with our bespoke mirrors.

Please provide the most accurate dimensions when measuring the space for a new mirror. A common issue is the space required for the mirror is not always symmetrical or ‘square’. Failure to provide the exact measurements could often result in a ‘rake’ – whereby the mirror is too large to fit the space. Even just a few mm can be the difference. This is an important consideration, and even more so if you are adding a frame to your mirror. Our expert glaziers recommend you double check all measurements for your new mirror, especially if you plan on installing a full-size wall mirror that will take up the entirety of the wall. If you’re measuring an area that’s going to be slightly larger than the size of the mirror required, you’ll have a nice buffer that will provide flexibility when it comes to fitting and installation. We recommend having your dimensions to hand when enquiring about a new mirror, as it will allow our expert glaziers to get a good idea of the type of mirror glass that you’ll require. For help and advice on measuring the space for your new mirror, or to find out more about our complete range of mirrors, please get in touch with our team today.

Balustrade Glass

A railing supported by balusters, especially one forming an ornamental parapet to a balcony, bridge, or terrace. Materials for glass balustrade fittings will vary depending on the type of balustrade glass you wish to install, the size of the glass bannister, and whether you will be having a frameless glass balustrade. General safety regulations control how much weight each section the glass railing can support, which will often determine the need for panel clips and mouldings. For standard balustrading, strengthened and laminated glass should be used. At Aacme Glass, we supply, fit and repair all internal glass balustrades. We’re also proud to offer competitive prices, so you can enjoy a beautiful new glass balustrade at a fraction of the cost. Our range of internal glass balustrades bridges functionality with design. We’re able to create an area with free-flowing light and even give the illusion of greater space. What’s more – they’re easy to clean and maintain, and can really bring your home to life. Whether it’s a new installation or you’re having your existing balustrade glass refurbished, our master craftsmen can cut to any size required. You can plan for self-installation or just let our team know and we can fit it on a day that best suits you.

Glass Splashbacks

Glass splashbacks are a sheet of glass which can be attached to a wall for protection or to make a decorative display. From your rustic and homey to your more contemporary and sleek kitchen designs, Aacme Glass can bring your home to life with a unique range of glass splashbacks. Your glass splashback will be precision-cut, custom painted or printed and installed with a flawless finish to make your kitchen or bathroom surpass your expectations. Inject instant style and colour anywhere in your home with our glass splashbacks. Protecting your existing décor from spills and splashes but still ever so nice to look at; glass splashbacks are a great investment for any kitchen. Easy to clean yet stylish, a kitchen splashback combines great looks with maximum functionality. All of our splashback glass is available in a huge variety of colours and styles so you’ll be sure to find one that suits current kitchen design. Not sure which colour to choose? Take a trip down to our showroom in Newport today to browse the selection. If the colour you’re after isn’t there, we’ll go the extra mile to find it for you – and you still won’t find that extra effort reflected in the price.

Obscure Glass

Obscure glass is basically any type of glass that has a pattern embedded into its surface. Its purpose is to add decoration or to blur the vision through the glass. Obscure glass is ideal for that added privacy, an extra splash of design, or to bring light to rooms around your home. From classic to contemporary designs, Aacme Glass have got something for everyone with our bespoke glass cut to size. The advantages that our obscure glass can bring to your home are limitless. Simply select the level of privacy you’d like in your pane, and how much light you’d like to shine through and our master craftsmen will do the rest. At Aacme Glass Ltd, we can guide you through choosing your perfect piece of obscure glass. Measuring and cutting to your exact requirements, our friendly team are always on hand to answer any questions. We also provide an efficient fitting and finishing service – all at unbelievably low prices. Obscure glass is perfect for downstairs bathroom windows or meeting rooms. With a range of textures to choose from, it’s ideal for blocking out prying eyes whilst still providing an abundance of natural light to shine through.

Glass Thickness

Flat glass comes in various thicknesses. The difference in thickness dictates the use of a particular glass for a certain application. As logic would suggest, thinner glass is more fragile than thicker glass. It is important you ensure you are satisfied that the glass thickness is suitable for the application required. We have created these rough guidelines below to give you an idea:
2mm normally used in picture frames
3mm used in storm windows, picture frames, end tables, small insulated units, greenhouses, sheds, summer buildings
4mm used in insulated units, windows, sliding doors, wall cladding, and small table tops
6mm used for small table tops, insulated units, small shelves, commercial glazing applications
7mm generally the thickness of fire glass rated products
8mm used in table tops (as a protective covering), insulated units, single-pane windows, lightweight shelves, handrails, framed shower doors,
10mm used in shower doors, table tops, glass walls, glass partitions, handrails, door lights,
12mm used for shower doors, table tops, glass walls, glass partitions, handrails
15mm used for glass doors, mall fronts, table tops, glass floors
19mm used for glass doors, mall fronts, table tops, glass floors

Aacme Glass

Hopefully, this article has given you more idea of what you are looking for. Buying glass cut to size means you want to get it right first time. We offer our glass services in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and the rest of South Wales. If you need more guidance, please call us on 01633 244926.