Although a very rare phenomenon, over the years, more and more people have reported that their glass shower doors spontaneously shattered. They didn’t already have a crack that then grew until all of the glass shattered. Rather, they seemed to shatter out of nowhere, even if no one was currently using the shower. While many contractors and glass manufacturers initially reacted with disbelief when they heard about this, as reports spread, people sought to understand why it is that glass shower doors spontaneously shatter.
It is important to note that this is very rare. You need not fear having a glass shower door in your home. Indeed, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, injuries from shattered shower doors are very rare. You are only twice as likely to be injured from a spontaneously shattering shower door then you are to be hit by lightning – which is incredibly slim.
There are a few potential reasons why glass shower doors spontaneously shatter. Here is what you need to know about some of the commonalities with shattered shower doors and why this might occur.
Patterns Among Spontaneously Shattered Shower Doors
Among the instances where people reported that their glass shower doors seemingly “exploded”, there were some very specific patterns that seemed to occur.
- The doors didn’t crack; they just spontaneously shattered all at once, sometimes with a loud boom.
- There didn’t seem to be a reason for the shower doors to shatter. There were not any perceivable cracks, nor did the doors come loose from the tracks. Rather, they shattered from the center out.
- In many reports of people who had their glass shower doors spontaneously shatter, it happened between the hours of midnight and 3 am. They were woken up by the booming sound as their shower doors suddenly fell apart.
Why Glass Shower Doors Spontaneously Shatter
Initially, it wasn’t understood how this phenomenon could occur. As people have researched further into this alarming occurrence, several potential reasons have been put forth as to what may have caused it to happen.
Some of the potential causes of spontaneously shattering glass shower doors include:
- Poor installation. If your doors haven’t been installed properly, this can end up damaging the edges, which could lead to spontaneous shattering. This is because if the glass comes in contact with fixtures and fittings and there isn’t anything to cushion it, it can damage the edges. Improper installation can also cause your shower door to slip off of its tracks or out of its hinges when you open and close it.
- Damaged edges. If the edges of your glass shower doors are nicked or chipped at some point in the manufacturing, handling, shipping, or installation process, this can build up stress that causes sudden shattering. This type of damage is not always visible, and may even be hidden by the glazing track.
- Nickel sulfide inclusion. This is a defect in the manufacturing process which is when foreign material gets trapped inside your glass while it’s manufactured. This can cause it to spontaneously shatter.
- Thermal shock. This is when there is a significant temperature difference across the glass, which causes it to expand and contract in different ways, leading to cracking. This is more common for environments other than showers inside a home, as it is less likely for there to be a large enough temperature difference to cause this in your home.
It is still not wholly understood why glass shower doors spontaneously shatter sometimes, due to the fact that it is not a common occurrence. These are some potential reasons for why this may occur.
Are Glass Shower Doors Safe?
If you’ve heard that glass shower doors spontaneously shatter sometimes, you may be alarmed and worried about having them in your home. Rest assured that this is very unlikely. Glass shower doors are indeed safe, especially if they are professionally manufactured and installed. Taking proper care of your shower doors helps them last longer and helps you to stave off potential damages.
If your glass shower doors do get damaged, they can be either repaired or replaced, depending on the damage done.
Tempered glass is the safest material for glass shower doors. You can help your shower door last by ensuring that you open and close it gently, rather than slamming it against the wall. Cleaning your shower doors after each use prevents hard water minerals from building up on it and potentially damaging it.
High-Quality Shower Doors You Can Count On
Moyes Glass provides high-quality shower doors. Correct installation of shower doors is one key way to prevent potential shattering, and we always ensure that our shower doors are properly installed. Contact us today to learn more about our shower doors.