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Glass has one of the longest lifespans of any fencing materials, lasting anywhere from 10 to 30 years on average. Just how long your glass fence lasts depends on several factors, including how well you maintain your fence, the climate, and the type of glass you use. 

If you live somewhere with severe weather like hail, tornadoes, or hurricanes, expect your glass to have a shorter lifespan. Pool glass is one of the thickest tempered glass materials and may last longer than other options—especially compared to laminated glass.

Heavy glass tends to be more expensive than thin glass because it is stronger and more durable. In most cases, ¼-inch-thick glass is ideal for mirrors, and ⅛-inch-thick glass is ideal for residential windows. Heavier glass isn’t always necessary, and can be more challenging to hang or install. Work with a local window installation pro for replacement or new construction windows.

Yes, you can resilver old mirrors without any issues, and in many cases, it’s is the only way to maintain and preserve old, antique mirrors. Resilvering involves stripping the old silver off of the mirror, replacing the silver, and adding a protective backing to the glass. The process costs around $15 per square foot of glass, making it a relatively inexpensive solution for making older mirrors functional again. You can buy a DIY resilvering kit, but we strongly recommend hiring a professional to avoid additional damage and mistakes.

The methods outlined here are intended for surface scratches—ones that don’t cut into the glass very deeply. For deep scratches, you should consider a more comprehensive glass scratch repair kit. These kits come with abrasives, polishing compounds, and specialized tools designed for removing deep scratches from glass. If you feel uncomfortable tackling a deep scratch on your own, consider calling a local glass repair contractor.