Choosing the ideal glass for your home, office and industrial spaces is important to avoid unexpected safety issues, scratches or expensive repairs. Float Glass, a pioneer in the world of architecture, providing doors, windows, and partitions with massive crystal clarity and no distortion. However, it might have some drawbacks.
In this blog, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of float glass to help you make an informed decision.
What is Float Glass?
Float Glass is a specialised form of flat glass made using a floating process to prevent distortion. In this process, the soda-lime-silica glass is heated in a furnace to around 1500 degrees Celsius and then poured into a pool of molten tin.
This ensures that the float glass is evenly spread out into flat sheets when cooled and solidified. The sheets can be cut into any desired shape. Owing to their versatility and aesthetic appeal, they are high-quality functioning sheets.
Advantages of Float Glass
Listed below are the various advantages of float glass:
● High Clarity
One of the biggest perks of float glass is its unmatched clarity. It is the only flat glass with a distortion-free appeal, which is particularly valuable in applications such as windows, skylights and storefronts, where unobstructed views are required. The crystal-clear clarity also allows a flood of natural light in to illuminate your space, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
● Smooth Surface
The smooth surface is the result of an advanced manufacturing process of float glass, which results in a perfectly uniform, distortion-free surface. This smoothness not only gives the glass an aesthetic look but also makes it ideal for further processing, such as creating mirrors.
The even surface of float glass is appreciated in applications that depend heavily on visual functionality, such as mirrors, facades and other architectural designs.
● Versatility
One of the major advantages of float glass is its versatility. It can be easily cut and shaped into various forms, making it a relevant choice in a wide variety of industries, including architecture and the automobile industry. Its structural use, safety applications and aesthetic appeal make it ideal for customising to fit specific needs.
● Cost Effectiveness
The large-scale production of float glass has made it highly affordable to the masses. It is one of the most commonly manufactured and available glass types. Float glass is an economical choice for window panes, doors, and partitions and is available in various thicknesses and sizes.
● Durability
The durability of the float glass comes from the floating process used to create it. This makes it stronger than regular glass. Even if you compare the equal thickness of float glass and plain glass, float glass will prove to be stronger and more durable.
This is owing to its manufacturing process, which involves equally distributing the molten glass on the molten tin. The glass cools down and garners strength by minimising internal stress.
Drawbacks of Float Glass
Listed below are the various drawbacks of float glass:
● Breaks into Large Pieces
One of the biggest safety concerns about float glass is that it breaks into large, sharp pieces when subjected to force. This is because the glass hasn’t yet been through the tempering process. Tempering would make the glass resistant to high-rise and high-wind situations, without which it is quite unsafe.
● Complicated Manufacturing Process
The glass-making process is complex compared to other glass processes. The glass must be cooled properly to reduce its brittleness, or it can easily break due to thermal stress. Additionally, the machines required to make the glass are very expensive.
● Prone to Scratches
Float glasses are not resistant to scratches. Even minor contact with an abrasive material can leave visible marks on them, which discourages many manufacturers from using them in their raw form.
● Brittleness
Float glass is inherently brittle. This makes it incapable of resistance in high–stress environments. The brittleness can be gotten rid of by making the glass go through a tempering or laminating process. Up until then, its direct application in high-rise buildings or areas exposed to rapid temperature change can be a cause of concern.
Conclusion
Float glass is a versatile and cost-effective material. However, in its raw form, float glass lacks safety features due to its brittle nature. Therefore, understanding the advantages and drawbacks of float glass will help you make an informed decision.
At AIS Glass, we help you understand the workings and shortcomings of all types of glasses and try to find the ideal match for your requirements.