When you’re busy managing projects, the last thing you need is a supplier tempered glass that creates more work for you. But too often, buyers run into issues that fly under the radar until it’s too late: mixed-up batches of different glass thicknesses, no guidance on storing glass (leading to damage), small-batch restocks that don’t match the original order, or no help when you’re confused about installation. These problems don’t just waste time—they put your client relationships at risk. As someone who’s helped hundreds of teams fix these exact issues, I’m sharing the most common (and avoidable) problems, plus how to pick a supplier that solves them before they start.

You need 150 tempered glass panels: 100 of 8mm thickness (for walls) and 50 of 12mm (for countertops). When the shipment arrives, the boxes aren’t labeled, and you end up installing 20 of the 8mm panels where 12mm was needed. A café owner in Australia told me this happened to her last year—she had to remove and re-install the panels, costing her $1,200 in labor and a week of delay for her grand opening.

Solution: Choose a tempered glass supplier for mix-up prevention.
A good supplier won’t just ship glass—they’ll organize it to avoid confusion. Look for suppliers who use color-coded labeling (e.g., blue tape for 8mm, red for 12mm) and batch separation (packing different thicknesses/tints in separate, clearly marked crates). At Hiking Glass & Mirror, we also include a “batch manifest” with every order: a spreadsheet listing which crate has which 规格，so you can sort panels without opening every box. That Australian café owner now orders from us, and her last shipment had zero mix-ups—she even said, “I didn’t have to second-guess a single panel.”

Ask your supplier: “How do you prevent mixing up different glass 规格 in bulk orders?” If they say “we just label boxes,” push for specifics—vague answers mean more risk.

You receive your tempered glass, but your project is delayed by 2 weeks. You stack the panels in a damp garage, and when you finally unbox them, 10 have water spots or mild rust on the edges (from metal supports). A renovation team in Canada faced this—they had to pay for replacements, and their client was frustrated by the wait.

Solution: Work with a tempered glass supplier with storage tips.
Tempered glass isn’t “set it and forget it”—it needs proper storage to stay in good shape. A great supplier will give you clear storage guidelines: “Store panels vertically (not stacked flat) to avoid pressure cracks,” “Keep away from damp areas (humidity >60% causes spots),” and “Use non-rusting supports.” We even include a printed “Storage Guide” with every order—with photos of how to stack panels safely. That Canadian team now follows our tips, and they haven’t had a single storage-related damage issue since.

Don’t assume you “know how to store glass”—ask your supplier for their expertise. It could save you hundreds in replacements.

6 months after your initial order, you need 10 more tempered glass panels to replace ones damaged during installation. But the restock panels are a slightly different tint than the original—enough to be noticeable in your client’s office. A UK-based interior designer told me this happened: her client refused to accept the mismatched panels, and she had to order a whole new batch (costing her $800 extra).

Solution: Pick a tempered glass supplier for small-batch checks.
The issue here is “batch variation”—glass tint/thickness can differ slightly between production runs. A good supplier will match the original batch for restocks: they’ll keep a sample of your original glass and test the new batch against it (using a colorimeter to check tint and calipers for thickness). We also send a “match sample” with every restock—so you can compare it to the original glass before accepting the full order. That UK designer now gets restocks from us, and the last 10 panels matched perfectly—her client never even noticed the replacement.

Ask: “Will you match the tint/thickness of my original order for restocks? How do you test for consistency?”

You hire a local installer to put up your tempered glass shower doors, but 3 panels crack when the installer tightens the hinges too hard. The installer blames the glass (“It’s low quality”), and the supplier blames the installer (“They used the wrong technique”). You’re stuck in the middle, with a client waiting for their shower. A U.S. homeowner had this experience—they had to pay for new panels and a new installer, doubling their cost.

Solution: Choose a tempered glass supplier with install guide.
Tempered glass is strong, but it’s sensitive to “point pressure” (like over-tightened hinges). A helpful supplier will provide an installation guide tailored to your glass type: “Torque hinges to 5 Nm (not more) for 8mm glass,” “Use rubber gaskets to avoid direct metal contact,” and “Don’t tap the edges with tools.” We even include a short video link with the guide—so your installer can see the right techniques. That U.S. homeowner now uses our guide, and their new installer had zero issues—no cracked panels, no extra costs.

The best supplier tempered glass isn’t just someone who sells you glass—they’re a resource. They anticipate your needs (like storage tips or installation help) and have systems to avoid common mistakes (like mix-ups or mismatched restocks). By asking specific questions about how they handle these four issues, you’ll find a supplier that makes your job easier—not harder.