Which type of glass is most commonly used in sliding doors?

The most commonly used type of glass in sliding doors is tempered glass. This type of glass is treated through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling, which significantly increases its strength compared to standard glass. When broken, tempered glass shatters into small, blunt pieces, reducing the risk of injury. This characteristic is particularly important in a sliding door application, where safety is a priority due to the potential for breaking glass near or around people.

Tempered glass also offers enhanced resistance to thermal stress, which is beneficial in environments where temperature fluctuations might be present. Its strength and safety features make it the preferred choice for sliding doors, often found in residential and commercial properties.

In contrast, laminated glass, while it provides safety features by holding together when shattered, is typically used for glass that needs additional security or sound insulation, such as in windows. Annealed glass is the standard glass type that is relatively weaker and does not offer the safety benefits of tempered glass. Wire-reinforced glass is used for specific applications that require extra strength, such as in fire-rated doors, but is not common for sliding doors.