Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of safety glass: "Wire glass" is a specific type of glass that has a layer of wire mesh embedded within it during the manufacturing process. The primary purpose of the wire is to hold the glass together if it cracks or breaks, preventing it from shattering into dangerous, loose pieces.

Usage

• Wire glass is used as a singular, uncountable noun to refer to the material itself. It is often specified in architectural and safety contexts.
  • The building code required wire glass in the fire doors.
  • The skylight was made of wire glass for added safety.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Laminated wire glass": A more specific term that may be used to describe the manufacturing process where the wire mesh is laminated between layers of glass.
  • The renovation specs called for laminated wire glass in all sidelights.

Variants and Related Words

• Wired glass: An alternative, less common term with the same meaning as "wire glass."
• Safety glass: A broader category of glass designed to be less hazardous when broken, which includes wire glass, tempered glass, and laminated glass.
• Fire-rated glass: Wire glass is often used as a type of fire-rated glass to help prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Synonyms

• Reinforced glass: This is a general synonym, though it more commonly refers to glass reinforced with fibers or other materials, not specifically wire mesh.

Notes on Meaning

• The defining characteristic of wire glass is the visible wire mesh inside the glass pane. Its main functions are to provide containment (holding broken glass together) and, in some applications, a degree of fire resistance. It is distinct from other safety glasses like "tempered glass," which shatters into small, dull pieces, and "laminated glass," which uses a plastic interlayer to hold the glass together.

Noun

1. a glass that contains a layer of wire netting in it