Glass Thickness And Quality

5.7" Thick Beaker Bong BT1539

Glass Quality

Glass quality is important in terms of clarity and strength. The higher quality of glass, the stronger and more pristine the glass will be. Glass quality is determined by the material of glass, and the skill level of the glassblower.

Most brand name pieces, like BOTE, will be made of high-quality borosilicate glass (the material to make lab equipment, also called “German schott” or “schott duran); while certain tubes at your local head shop are most likely made of low-quality glass.

The higher quality glass will be much more durable than the lower. The skill level of the blower can be determined by simply looking at the piece-clean joint welds are signs of talented glass blowers.

Glass Thickness

Glass thickness affects the weight and durability of a piece. Glass thickness is counted in millimeters, usually ranging from 3mm to 9mm, with 9mm being the thicker of the two. Thicker glass means a more durable, heavier piece. The heaviness of the glass is more of a personal preference, but heavier pieces do have a sense of quality to them.

Check out our collection of thick glass here!

Things to Consider When Comparing Glass Thickness / Quality

If it comes down to it, it’s better to have higher quality glass than thicker glass. A piece could be 9mm thick, but if the glass is poor quality, it’s more likely to break than a 4mm thick piece with higher quality glass.

Luckily, BOTE carries a great selection of glass bongs for a great price, so you don’t have to compromise!

Alternatively - if you're worried about breaking your glass piece, we also offer some indestructible pieces, made of other materials like silicone.  To shop for a foldable, shatter-proof piece, check out some glass bongs and rigs.