glass shower panel just exploded


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Old 08-02-15, 12:43 PM
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glass shower panel just exploded

We have lived in our 18 year old house for a little less than 2 years.

About an hour ago we heard an explosion - kind of like gunfire - and when we looked around we found that a 4' X 6' X 8' glass panel in the bathroom had shattered. It is still intact - and we have since taped it with packing tape.

What do you think can cause that to happen ?
 
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Old 08-02-15, 01:18 PM
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Tightening the hold down or hold up brackets could have put stress on it and when the temperature or humidity changed it couldn't take the stress. It could have been hit on a corner inadvertently and it has finally stressed out. Is it plate glass? Here in the US, it would have probably been made of tempered glass and it would now be in a kazillion pieces in the floor.
 
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Old 08-02-15, 02:26 PM
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Agreed. It is some kind of stress placed on glass, such as not enough clearance for expansion and contraction. Tape? As Chandler said, if it was the proper glass, there would be no taping. The glass will break into small pieces. It may be good this happened, it's a wake up call. The glass needs to be replaced with tempered.
 
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Old 08-02-15, 02:30 PM
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Brian. Mexico. Possibly plated, but same advice. Get it replaced quickly.
 
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Old 08-02-15, 02:41 PM
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a 4' X 6' X 8' glass panel
That's some thick glass!

If none of the above reasons apply, it could be what's known as "spontaneous breakage" where the glass can sometimes shatter without warning or apparent reason.

Laminated glass would stay together when it breaks, just like a car windshield does, so that might explain why they were able to tape it. Laminated glass is safer in a shower than plain old tempered glass, so it's more than likely what they have. You would replace it with laminated safety glass, not plain tempered glass.
 
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Old 08-02-15, 04:49 PM
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Good Info Sleeper.

I heard this same "explosion" one day. It was my glass oven door that was in a million pieces all over the kitchen floor. Couldn't believe it. It was the outer door glass.
 
 

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