What is a characteristic of wired glass?

Wired glass is specifically characterized by its incorporation of metal wire mesh in the glass itself, which provides structural integrity and can help prevent shattering upon impact. One key aspect is that wired glass cannot undergo the tempering process, which would typically enhance its strength. This is due to the way tempering involves rapid heating and cooling, which can compromise the wire mesh embedded within the glass.

The presence of the wire mesh not only affects the manufacturing process but also the physical properties of the glass. Because of these properties, wired glass is often used in settings like windows in fire-rated doors or safety glazing applications where additional strength is needed without the tempered qualities.

In contrast, the other choices reflect characteristics that are not applicable to wired glass. For example, it is not typically used for residential windows due to aesthetic preferences and safety standards. Additionally, while wired glass has some clarity, it generally does not provide the same optical clarity as clear, unencumbered glass. Thus, the correct answer accurately captures a fundamental characteristic of wired glass.