I don't think you can cut tempered either; in other words, they cut it to shape and then temper it, so it is only an OEM thing. My door window (laminated) was only $40, made while I waited, so we're not talking big bucks for any of our flat glass.

 

Ross, is correct, you can't cut tempered glass, it will crystallize if you try. I don't think our trucks ever came with tempered glass. Do a search, I think tempered glass was mandated in new cars the early '60s but I'm not sure.

I was told by a glass guy that there are two types of laminated glass. One for use in side and back glass and another type for windshield, I think he said it was called "Highway" glass. Ask your glass guy. The windshield also serves as a restraint to keep you from flying out of the vehicle that's why they still use it in windshields. If you had a windshield made of tempered glass once the impact cracked it would crystallize and you'd be flying. I think, but not sure, that the windshield glass is a little thicker with a thicker plastic membrane. It's been a while since this was explained to me, maybe 30+ years, when I worked for an real auto parts store that sold glass for all kinds of vehicles.

 

Hi Bob - what you posted makes sense. I suspect it was mandated sometime in or after 1968, was when federal safety standards changed.

Also, I found this site which gives a pretty detailed general history of early automotive glass usage:

Auto Glass University - Module 1/The Role of Auto Glass

looks like laminated glass was standard in fords as early as the late 20's!

 

It is possible to have your side and back glass cut from plate and tempered. I have a local glass shop that will (or did, last time I checked) cut the glass and send it off for tempering, if you want to go that route over laminated. There is a bit more expense involved with baking and shipping, but some of it is covered by the difference in materials cost, as plate stock is cheaper than laminated.

You really wouldn't want tempered in a windshield. The rock that falls off the dump truck you're following will bang, maybe chip or star, but normally will bounce off a laminated windshield. Worse case it puts a crack in it. That same rock will shatter a tempered window. Having a lap full of 10,000 pieces of glass at 60mph isn't a good thing.

 

Good point Wayne, that's one other reason I overlooked.