Glass is a most astounding building material. A typical piece of 6mm-thick clear float glass is 87 percent transparent to visible light and yet strong enough to fulfill a number of building roles that provide protection, security and comfort. This GlassTalks post explores the general physical characteristics of glass. Glass strength is highly variable and deliberately modified for differing applications. This information is for general interest and not to be used for design purposes. If you are seeking specific properties, please refer to local standards for glass design or contact Viridian Glass.