Glass display case shelves

[bch47]

My wife would like glass shelves for the new cabinets in our family room. My question is what type of glass to use. My thought is tempered glass, but it is very expensive. The shelves would be to display figurines and such. Probably would be some weight put on the shelves. She would like to add lighting in the top of the case, thus the glass shelves to let light through. I may talk her into wood shelving.

[Beamer]

My understanding is that tempered glass is much much stronger and would do better at supporting a little weight. I don't know for sure and hopefully someone wiser will chime in soon

[Ruffnek]

I wouldn't use anything but tempered glass for shelves.

[autobodyman]

I use tempered glass for most anything I use glass for, not only stronger but safer as tempered will shatter into small pieces where non tempered breaks into large pieces that can cut off stuff I'd like to keep attached.

Back in the old days I used a lot of rear windows out of pickups (we used to replace allot of rear pickup flat glass with sliders) that was some cheap tempered glass. A little trickier to cut as you had to scribe both sides snap, squirted a bit of rubbing alcohol on the break and lite it up to melt the plastic laminate in between the glass layers.

Ah the old days ;D

~Mike

[bch47]

Thanks for your answers. They confirm what I thought should be used. I'll try shopping on the internet to see if I can find tempered glass. Might use wood for the bottom shelf and glass for 2-3 shelves.

[autobodyman]

I get pretty good deals on tempered glass from a friend of mine that owns a Frontier Glass, glass shop (they mostly do windshields). You might check with a with a local windshield installation place, never hurts to ask.

~Mike

[oakridgeboy]

Brian: Have you considered using 1/4" Lexan? I had to install some shelving for a client once-she refused to pay the price for having tempered glass,so as an alternative I suggested "plastic" which she agreed to.A light coat of wax gave a slick surface and some scratch protection. Just my .02. Mike

[cabinetman]

Tempered glass can be very expensive. It shrinks during the tempering process, and sizes given for its fabrication should be the final size needed. It cannot be cut unless it is annealed again. If it is used as shelving or for cabinet doors waist height or higher, it could be hazardous as when it does break it can "explode" throwing small shards of fragments.

With all the commercial and residential work I've done I used regular plate glass. Plate glass if edged properly is not that easy to break. A tiny nick in the edge is where faults can occur. For normal sizes and weights 1/4" is sufficient. Determining deflection possibilities with wider sizes or more load, 3/8" or 1/2" may be appropriate.

What helps in stabilizing the shelves is to use captive shelf clips, or ones that have rubber insert pads. If they have it in your area, a glass called "star glass" comes completely clear, and has no green tint.

[deepsplinter]

What are the dimensions of these shelves?
Will you be able to put shelf clips midspan?

If they're not too big...if you can support them in the center...if there's not going to be a lot of weigh... you might be able to get by with 1/4" plate glass.

I have installed a lot of glass shelves, and have never used tempered.

I'd ask a glass dealer.

[art3427]

Ask a glass dealer, definitely. There are safety reg's and liability issues with glass. I've made wood framed glass shelves in the past. The frame adds extra support to the shelf while the glass allows light to flow through out the case. I avoid plexi for shelves as it tends to sag under it own weight when laid horizontally.

art

art

[bch47]

Wood frame with drop in glass is what I had in mind. Would give extra support to the glass. The local auto glass shop gave me prices of $63 for 12"x48". I need 4-6 shelves, depending on the spacing. Would really like to use 1/4". I still have time to search for tempered glass.

[cabinetman]

Feb 12, 2010 19:12:35 GMT -6 bch47 said:

Wood frame with drop in glass is what I had in mind. Would give extra support to the glass. The local auto glass shop gave me prices of $63 for 12"x48". I need 4-6 shelves, depending on the spacing. Would really like to use 1/4". I still have time to search for tempered glass.

That's about $15/sq ft. Retail should be around $5-$6 sq ft, or close to that, for plate glass.

[JBark]

Brian,

Two possibilities for cheaper tempered, if you want to go that way. Find a furniture store and ask them if they have any extra shelves laying around. One store I worked in had a small side room with whole bunches of shelves in it...or are the cabinets already built? The other was buying a cheap crappy curio cabinet on Craigs List just for the shelves...or Good Will. I was thinking you could size the cabinets to the shelves you find. Maybe not.

John

[Mark T]

In a home environment where loads are regulated and shelves are not abused, I would not spend the extra jing for tempered glass. 1/4" plate would work just as well and perform exactly as you wish.

$000,000,000.02 Opinion.

[bch47]

I contacted a glass supplier yesterday. She recommended plate glass. I can get that in 1/4" for about a third the price of tempered. I haven't started the display part of the cabinet, but it looks like the shelves will be about 12x48. Still think I will go with wood frame and drop in glass.

[Stretch]

Feb 17, 2010 9:20:27 GMT -6 bch47 said:

I contacted a glass supplier yesterday. She recommended plate glass. I can get that in 1/4" for about a third the price of tempered. I haven't started the display part of the cabinet, but it looks like the shelves will be about 12x48. Still think I will go with wood frame and drop in glass.

Yeah, I was gonna suggest doing the wood frame with drop in glass. That's how we did glass shelves at the shop I used to work at. You can use clear silicon caulk to stick down the glass if you don't want the glass to be free floating.