Should I have the glass tempered?

Tempered glass is used when strength, thermal resistance and safety are important considerations. Tempered glass is made by processes which create balanced internal stresses which give the glass strength. Tempered glass is typically four times the strength of annealed glass. It will usually shatter into small fragments instead of sharp shards when broken, making it less likely to cause severe injury and deep lacerations. As a result of its safety and strength, tempered glass is used in a variety of demanding applications such as shower doors, table tops, and glass shelves.