Double Strength or Not?

[Jim Chilenski]

Question...

When building glass doors for a kitchen cabinet with true divided lights, would you use single strength glass or double strength? I can't imagine that double strength glass would be needed, (it does cost more). But I'm not sure.

Single strength is available through the Borgs. For double strength I would need to go to a glass fabricator.

Thanks,
Jim

[Jason Roehl]

I repaired a whole bunch of windows on an apartment building about 10-11 years ago, probably in the neighborhood of 150 panes of glass overall. All of them were double-strength glass. Even those broke from time to time, understandable due to transport in my truck, installing them from a 66' diesel man-lift, cold weather, etc. I can't imagine single-strength holding up to the inevitable cabinet door being slammed from time to time, but I've been wrong before. Double-strength doesn't cost that much more, and isn't all that heavy in cabinet door size...

[Bill White]

from my glass supplier. No problems yet unless somebody does a stupid.
I did use safety stuff in a clinic job.
Bill

[Pete Bradley]

I think I'd be looking at tempered glass or polycarbonate (Lexan). If somebody leaves something sticking out when the door gets closed, you don't want shards of glass raining down.

Pete

[William OConnell]

I use single strength cut to size at the local hardware store. Cheap and easily replaceable.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Sheet glass having a thickness of between 0.118 in. (3.00 mm) and 0.113 in. (3.38 mm), as compared to single strength glass which in the US is approximately 3/32 in. (2.5 mm) thick.

I had to look that up as I'd not encountered the distinction before.

And all for a lousy $6.00 a year. No trade school could present as much information as this place does & for $6.00
Woo Hoo

[Jason Roehl]

Pssst, Cliff! I think you got your inches backwards! ;)

[Jeffrey Makiel]

Jim,
When I refaced my kitchen cabinets, I used Lexan instead of glass. It was cheaper and easier to cut the Lexan myself, and I don't have to worry about breakage. I also applied a textured decal to the Lexan for interest. Both the Lexan and the decal material were purchased at Home Depot.

If you do go the plastic route, I recommend Lexan over Plexiglass. There is a difference regarding warping, scratching and yellowing.

My cabinets were refaced 3 years ago, and they still look brand new.

Good luck,

-Jeff :)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/Beff2/DSCF03931024x768.jpg

[Toney Robertson]

Since you are using true divided lights, single strength should be adequate. With smaller pieces breaking one is not as easy as a large sheet of glass.

Tempered would be outrageous in cost and lexan is also quite salty.

SS is cheap, easy to cut and easy to replace.

If you decided to go with DS look for a smaller hardware/home center. I know my small hardware store has DS glass.

Toney