Doug Perovic, an engineering professor at the University of Toronto, comments were very funny (or, sad). He says, exploding glass "...happens all the time...". Wow. That is great!
So, according to the professor, glass can spontaneously explode for two main reasons:
1. imperfections in the glass during the manufacturing. The small defects can expand with temperature variations and stressors such as wind... as the imperfections expand, KABOOM. He says, “At this point, the glass is like a loaded gun... and it’s only a matter of time before it goes off, explodes into a million pieces and the sky is raining glass.”
2. The installation: The metal railings can put pressure on the glass where they are attached, which causes a major stressor. Add wind and weather patterns, and KABOOM.
So... is this the builders fault? IMHO, I don't think so. They hire the best engineers, trades and architects to continually monitor the building process. It is unfair to just blame them, and say that you would not purchase from them again... Now, if they cheaped out, or didn't follow the advice of their engineers and consultants, then that is a different matter.
