Borosilicate glass: What makes this material so special
By the casa vitri editorial team · Updated 24 October 2026
Borosilicate glass at a glance
Borosilicate glass contains boron oxide and expands very little when heated. This makes it resistant to temperature changes. For drinking glasses, shape, workmanship and care matter too: the material alone does not make a glass shatterproof or suitable for every use.
- Its strength: high thermal shock resistance and chemical resistance.
- Its limit: it can break when dropped or knocked against a hard surface.
- For everyday use: our borosilicate Dots glasses are dishwasher safe. For other glasses, follow the manufacturer's own care instructions.
What are the disadvantages of borosilicate drinking glasses?
The main limitations concern breakage, the feel of the glass and price. When choosing borosilicate, consider the finished glass as well as the name of its material.
- It is still breakable. A knock against the sink or a fall can damage borosilicate glass too. Thermal resistance does not protect against these forces.
- Rim and wall thickness depend on how it is made. Borosilicate can be worked into thin walls. Our freehand glasses have their own shape and feel. If a particularly fine drinking rim is your priority, compare the individual design.
- Handmade glasses cost more than simple mass-produced ones. Our Dots glass’s shape and coloured glass dots are created by hand.
Is borosilicate glass shatterproof?
No. Borosilicate glass is not shatterproof. Its low thermal expansion helps limit stress during temperature changes. Mechanical impact is a different kind of load: the strength of a finished glass depends on factors including shape, wall thickness and surface condition.
For everyday use, set glasses down gently, avoid knocks against hard edges and stop using damaged glasses. SCHOTT's material data for borosilicate glass 3.3 explain thermal expansion and how mechanical strength depends on the finished design.
When is a borosilicate drinking glass a good choice?
It is a good choice when the properties of the material come together with a design that suits your everyday routine. Check three things before buying:
- Use: what will you drink from it, and is the capacity right? Our Dots glass holds approx. 250 ml and is designed for water, juice and drinks.
- Care: do you want to put it in the dishwasher? Our Dots glass is dishwasher safe. Do not assume that this applies to every borosilicate glass.
- Feel and design: do you prefer a uniform shape or visible differences from handwork? The Dots glass's coloured glass dots are applied individually, so their pattern varies from piece to piece.
If you need the lowest-cost glasses for a large gathering or a shatterproof drinking vessel, our handmade Dots glass is less suitable. If you would like to use colourful handwork every day, explore the Dots glass's colours and details.
Three types of glass compared
Borosilicate, crystal and soda-lime glass differ in composition. For your choice, what matters is how the material is made into a finished drinking glass.
| Glass type | What distinguishes it | What to check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Borosilicate glass 3.3 | Low thermal expansion and high chemical resistance. | Shape, rim, capacity and specific care instructions. Do not confuse it with shatterproof glass. |
| Crystal glass | Metal oxides influence light refraction and sound. Both lead-free and lead-containing types exist. | If brilliance and a fine rim matter to you, compare the individual glass design. |
| Soda-lime glass | A widely used glass type, including for drinking glasses. Production ranges from mass manufacture to handwork. | Price, weight and care vary by product. Handmade design glasses can also be made from this material. |
The material name alone tells you little about which glass you will prefer to hold. Compare dimensions, weight, rim and manufacturer information.
What is borosilicate glass?
Borosilicate glass contains boron oxide as part of its glass network. Borosilicate glass 3.3 is known for laboratory and technical uses, among others. Its properties also make it interesting for drinking glasses.
The number 3.3 refers to its mean linear thermal expansion coefficient of 3.3 × 10⁻⁶/K. The material expands very little when heated, helping limit stress during temperature changes. SCHOTT's technical data describe this material property; the strength of a finished drinking glass also depends on its shape and workmanship.
From the workshop: How borosilicate behaves under a flame
Master glassblower Eckhard Martin has worked with borosilicate glass since 1975. His glasses are made freehand, without a rigid mould. Small differences between pieces are part of this process.
Glass does not have a single melting point like a pure metal. As its temperature rises, it gradually softens and becomes workable. For borosilicate glass 3.3, SCHOTT specifies a softening point of 825 °C and a working point of 1,260 °C. These values describe the viscosity of the material, rather than the temperature of a drink or a recommendation for use.
For the Dots glass, coloured glass dots are applied individually by hand to the clear glass and fused with its surface. Their arrangement develops while the glass is being worked; it is not painted on.
Colour and borosilicate
The coloured dots give the Dots glass its texture. You can choose one colour or combine different colours at the table. Because the dots are applied individually by hand, their arrangement varies from glass to glass.
The colour is part of the glass itself. Along with the shade, consider whether you enjoy the slightly irregular pattern and the texture you can feel.
Frequently asked questions about borosilicate glass
Is borosilicate glass dishwasher safe?
Our Dots glass is dishwasher safe. For other products, follow the manufacturer's own instructions, particularly where extra decoration is involved.
Can you drink wine from borosilicate glass?
Yes, we also make wine and sparkling wine glasses from borosilicate glass. Bowl shape, capacity and rim matter as much as the material when choosing a glass. Our universal wine glasses show a different use from the Dots water glass.
Is every mouth-blown drinking glass made from borosilicate glass?
No. Mouth-blown describes how a glass is made; borosilicate describes its material. Other glass types can also be mouth-blown. Check the material listed for the individual product.
A borosilicate glass for your table: Explore the Dots glass, colours and product details →
Sources and further information
- SCHOTT: borosilicate glass 3.3, material data on thermal expansion, chemical resistance, softening and working points, and mechanical strength.
- casa vitri Dots glass product information, material, production, dimensions, capacity and care.
More from the workshop: The art of free glassblowing · Glass art techniques at a glance