In vehicles, tempered glass is most commonly used for which windows?

• A. Windshield
• B. Side and rear windows
• C. Roof panels
• D. Front quarter windows

Answer: (B)

Tempered glass is chosen for side and rear windows because it is heat-treated to be much stronger than ordinary glass and, when it does break, it crumbles into small, blunt pieces. This breakage pattern reduces the risk of severe injury and is cost-effective for large side/rear panes. In contrast, the windshield is made of laminated safety glass, which holds together after impact because of an interlayer, helping maintain a barrier and reduce ejection during a crash. Roof panels and front quarter windows aren’t the primary use case for tempered glass in most vehicle designs, making side and rear windows the typical application for tempered glass.