There are a lot of different bottles to choose from, and one major factor in that decision is the material of the bottle. Glass water bottles are a popular choice for many reasons, but how do you go about choosing the right one? Believe it or not, not all glass is created equal, which means that there ARE material differences to consider when shopping for the best custom glass water bottles for your project.

Glass is seen by many as the purest way to drink water. After all, glass is a non-porous surface, which means that it won’t absorb odors or tastes. Glass is the only widely-used packaging material considered “GRAS” or “generally recognized as safe” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It’s also 100% recyclable and can be reused endlessly with no loss in quality or purity, according to the Glass Packaging Institute. Glass water bottles can withstand high temperatures without melting, so you can feel free to put your glass bottles in the dishwasher without incident. (the same may not be true for add-ons like silicone sleeves or plastic lids). Read more about the benefits of glass water bottles and why we love them here.

Nearly all glass water bottles are made from one of two types of glass: soda-lime or borosilicate. Soda-lime glass is the most common type of glass water bottle, and the less expensive of the two. It’s not as resistant to heat or sudden temperature changes. For the purpose of a drinking vessel, soda-lime glass is widely acceptable and provides the user with the purity of glass at a slightly lower price.

Borosilicate glass has a higher resistance to temperature change. It’s a little trickier to manufacture, and it comes at a higher cost than soda-lime. However, borosilicate’s cost is moderate when measured against its durability. Pyrex glass bakeware used to be made from borosilicate glass, so the term “they don’t make it like they used to” really applies!

Both types of glass are wonderful for water bottles, and while borosilicate is more heat resistant and more expensive, soda-lime glass bottles are beautiful and useful as well. You can’t go wrong with a glass water bottle!

So, while not all glass is created equal, the best custom glass water bottles for your project really depend on budget and style. The type of glass used for each bottle varies, for reach out to our team with any questions you may have about a specific product. We’ll be able to point you in the right direction, offer advice on your project, and answer what specific questions you may have. Choosing the right glass water bottle doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you have the support of a team like ours!