Introduction
Over the centuries, Indian architecture has evolved to a great extent. This is because of the various socio-economic and geographical conditions in the country. Moreover, Indian architecture also spans a long period of history, leading to various architectural styles.
You are likely to find this assortment of styles in architecture across the country. These buildings showcase the rich culture and heritage that represent India. Let’s take a tour of the most beautiful and ingenious examples of Indian craftsmanship.
They are sure to leave you stunned!
Benefits of Switchable Glass Partitions for Your Commercial Space
A cramped-up space that is
yellow-lit with a rather dull flooring that puts you in little open boxes
called cabins. That was a picture of what office spaces looked like in the
’90s. But today, they are far from it. Designing a commercial space can be
tricky. Today, these spaces are designed with much creativity and ingenuity, so
that the humans who inhabit them for a good eight hours in a day do so with joy
and enthusiasm.
Office Space Design: Does it Really Matter?
An office space that has been
carefully designed and consists of meticulously chosen elements can uplift an
employee and bring a heightened sense of responsibility and energy that matches
the mood of the space. It forges better relationships and a sense of
belongingness. Today, even the colour of the wall in a commercial space can
change the way people feel. Yellow for energy, brown for reliability or purple
for royalty, and so forth. But suppose you are looking to stand out beyond
coloured walls, magnificent paintings, or attractive desks. In that case, you
might want to add some grace, sheen, and that perfect professional touch using
the timeless material – glass – in the form of office partitions.
Sounds brilliant but wondering
what can be interesting about plain ol’ glass? Well, you are in luck! Because
plain is not the new cool, a switch is!
Switchable glass or smart glass, as it is popularly called, is a
wonder product with adjustable opacity. Flick that button without a second
thought, and it quickly turns opaque or translucent from transparent. This is
only the beginning; it’s time to dive into some of its benefits.
Energy-Efficient
Who does not want to add some
light into their lives? But, the light also brings with it that dreaded woe,
heat – every rose has its thorn, right? Maintaining the right temperature in
tandem with sufficient natural lighting is essential to creating a
productivity-friendly work zone. This is what switchable glass brings to the table. Its ability to switch from
transparent to translucent helps to balance the temperature while leaving the
amount of natural light entering a space unaltered. This can be a smart and
sustainable solution to keep the office spaces trendy and lit.
Privacy
Is it becoming difficult to get
some privacy these days? Only when you do not have the right privacy solutions
with you!
Modern offices have adjacent
rooms or spaces that are covered in glass. Then, there is also an ongoing trend
of co-working spaces today. In such circumstances, it is easy to eat into one’s
privacy, unintentionally. Switchable
glass partitions tend to solve this problem with ease. Click that button to
make the glass frosty, so that your room is free from the hustle and bustle of
the external environment. This feature is especially useful for conducting
important and confidential meetings and conferences. You get to experience the
best of both worlds – privacy with continuity of design and seamless connection
with the rest of the office.
Low-Maintenance
They say, “Consistent maintenance
is more effective, but it isn’t alluring.”
Therefore, you deserve your space
to be both alluring and low-maintenance. It is quite unsavoury to have your
office partitions in a dusty condition now and then or to have it stained,
especially on days when you have to attend important meetings with a client. Switchable glass is a saviour in this
area! It hardly collects dust as compared to normal annealed glass and can be
easily wiped clean with a clean duster and some glass-cleaning agent.
Easy Installation
Another of the key benefits of switchable glass partition lies in its
portability. In case you are looking to change the layout of the one already
installed in your office, it can be done in a snap! You will not be required to
clear the office space or to turn the work at the office topsy-turvy just to
add a touch of class to your office.
Isn’t this the convenience you
were looking for?
Modern Look
“There are three responses to a
design – yes, no, and wow. Wow is the one to aim for.”
If you are looking for nothing
less than a wow, then a switchable glass
partition is for you! It has become important that the commercial spaces of
today reflect the mood of the modern-day and age and is more adaptable to the
new generation. Switchable glass partitions
have modernity written all over them, and by having such partitions installed
in your office, you can create that perfect first impression on your clients,
inspection team, and others.
It is not every day that you will
find an all-in-one solution to your interior design worries. It’s an art to
create a commercial space that is not only aesthetically appealing but is fun
and easy to manage. And to know more about this art, AIS Glass is here to be
your backbone! Our AIS Swytchglas is a revolutionary smart glass
technology-injected to adjust its opacity levels. It gets activated in
micro-seconds, lasts for a minimum of 20,000 cycles, and blocks 50% of the
light in its ‘Off’ mode. Make sure to get in touch with us for switchable glass partitions that will
ultimately turn the tables on the look and feel of your office.
One cannot deny the unique quality of glass in architecture. No
wonder, most modern architects and interior designers use this material for
sprucing up interiors as well as exteriors of buildings across the globe. But,
if you wish to add a touch of marvel and class to any space with glass, it’s
imperative to source it from a real expert. And, AIS Glass is it! If you are
looking to amalgamate the aesthetic quality of glass with unmatched
functionality and performance, AIS Glass is where your search ends.
There is no denying that with modern advancements in glass, you
can choose from a wide array of functionalities. AIS Glass offers several
options to select from. These include –
Architectural Glass
Lately, architectural glass has gained immense popularity both
for domestic as well as commercial structures. This glass type is typically
used for designing building façades as well as exterior doors and windows.
There exist various categories under this glass type. And, AIS Glass offers a
host of elegant solutions in architectural glass that comprise of –
AIS Clear Float Glass
If you are looking for brilliant clarity and extreme
transparency, AIS Clear Float Glass is for you. This glass type offers high
precision flatness. Such superior quality flat glass adorns homes windows,
doors, furniture, etc.
AIS Krystal
AIS Krystal is India’s only branded frosted glass that offers
privacy without compromising natural light. The science behind frosted glass is
simple! It is manufactured through the process of sandblasting or acid-etching.
Frosted glass has a foggy appearance as it is translucent.
AIS Tinted Glass
Are you looking for transparency with a hint of shade? If so,
turn to AIS Tinted Glass. This type of glass is a great way to drape your
office buildings, especially if they are east-facing. Tinted glass does not let
solar glare pierce through and thus, keeps your interiors at an optimal
temperature. How? The tinted annealed glass comes with a special coating that
gives it a hue and reduces light transmission. AIS offers a body tinted glass
capable of absorbing energy from solar radiation.
Other Types of Glass by AIS
AIS Décor
Imagine a silky-smooth surface in subtle or bright colours
spicing up your boring walls. That’s AIS Décor for you! This glass type is
lacquered or back-painted. What is lacquered glass? Lacquered glass is coloured
on one side, which renders it opaque. This type of glass offers exceptional
décor for your home or office. The metallic paint coating makes the glass pane
stronger, and also lasts for years on end.
Unlike distempered walls that wither annually, AIS Décor glass
maintains its finish year after year. Why? Because the painted surface stays on
the inner layer of glass. AIS Décor comes in a universe of colours, and
patterns. You can choose from a slew of earthy tones to pure colours. Add
oodles of charm with maintenance-free AIS Décor range rather than opting for
wallpaper or paint.
AIS Securityglas
Made from laminated glass, AIS Securityglas offers exceptional
safety along with aesthetics for your home and office. Laminated glass is hard
to break as it contains a sandwiched PVB interlayer. If AIS Securityglas
develops cracks, this layer keeps the entire pane from falling out of the
frame. Even if this cracked glass falls, it does not shatter into sharp jagged
shards, which ensures the safety of people around.
AIS Stronglas
AIS Stronglas is essentially toughened or tempered glass. These
surfaces are manufactured by heating annealed glass panes to create undulating
strength by then cooling them slowly. Doing this makes standard annealed glass
strong. AIS Stronglas is an excellent option for partitions, doors, and windows
of your home or office. Not only does it add a tonne of elegance whenever you
install it, but you can also rest assured that AIS Stronglas make unwarranted
intrusions a distant possibility.
AIS Swytchglass
The sheer elegance of glass comes from its clarity, but then
there are times you need translucency for privacy and effect. Enter AIS
Swytchglass that goes from transparent to translucent when you apply current to
it. Also, called smart glass, this surface provides total privacy or
transparency depending on your mood. AIS Swytchglass is a great option for
bathrooms, bedrooms, lounging and living areas.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, with AIS Glass and its maze of gorgeous
solutions, you can add a whole world of elegance to your home or office
interiors as well as exteriors. If you are looking for glass solutions that go
beyond just aesthetics and towards performance and utility, choose AIS
Glass.
We are India’s leading glass lifestyle provider and are fully
equipped to offer you end-to-end solutions. So, don’t wait before it’s too
late! Think of AIS Glass for your next home or office improvement project. To
know more about our offerings, log on to www.aisglass.com today!
Only a lucky few get to
live in a sea-facing property, but if you do, it is an aesthetic imperative to
lace all views with crystal clear glass. Experience the real richness of your
sea-facing home with the help of expansive clear glass windows.
What Is Clear Glass?
“But, all glass is clear”
is a common notion among many homeowners. This statement, however, is not
entirely true. All glass is transparent; however, clarity is a different
ballgame. Standard float glass has a natural greenish tint because of the
presence of iron. You can confirm this by looking at the edges of ordinary
glass panes, and they will appear green to you. This slight tint obstructs you
from seeing the actual colours and hues of the vistas on the other side of the
glass.
To enhance clarity, one
must use clear glass. Clear glass surfaces do not distort real colours and
allow the viewer to feel like they are outside even when behind a pane.
Furthermore, clear float glass from a top-notch glass manufacturing company like AIS Glass means high precision flatness and uniformity. Why is perfect flatness essential? Clear float glass is often used to observe the striking
vistas as they actually are. Therefore, any iron-led tint or badly formed corner
can dissolve the entire purpose of impeccable viewing.
Why Choose Clear Glass
for Your Sea-Facing Home?
Apart from the obvious
reason of gaining a spectacular and authentic view of your surroundings, clear
glass is customisable and can be blended with other functionalities that make
it super strong and long-lasting. Here are a few features and benefits that
make clear glass the best choice for homes facing any gorgeous waterbody.
Toughness
If you wish to install
clear glass on your balcony, you will need unparalleled tenacity. This material
should comfortably withstand a substantial amount of wind pressure, downpours,
thunderstorms, etc. given its proximity to the sea. Clear float glass can
easily be heat tempered and made four to five times stronger. Thermal tempering
creates tension between the inner and outer layer of glass, thus making it
exceptionally strong. A toughened clear glass surface can then award your
dwellings with spectacular yet safe views of the ocean.
Safety
Clear float glass surfaces
can also be laminated without compromising their sparkling brilliance.
Laminated clear glass is a type of safety glass that offers strength and does
not shatter upon impact. Even if it does, the entire pane does not fall off.
Why? An inner PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) sandwich layer keeps the whole structure
together. However, if the impact was too harsh, this type of glass breaks into
bluntly rounded pebbles and do not fall to the ground as sharp jagged shards.
Therefore, people standing around this structure do not get hurt.
Insulation
Clear glass can be
treated for providing better insulation. This is especially helpful in
sub-tropical countries where during summer months, even the seaside is hot. You
can install insulated clear glass for comfortable outside viewing, as this
glass type reduces heat absorption without compromising on daylighting. Also,
the insulation does not allow for cold conditioned air inside your home to leak
out, which helps attain optimal thermal comfort. It is an obvious choice to fix
expansive and insulated clear glass windows if you have a sea-facing home.
Frosting
Even though your home
faces the sea, you might want a small portion of the balcony enclosure to be
partially etched or patterned for effect. And, this is possible with clear
glass. There are a host of patterns that can be etched onto the clear glass for
effect. You can also choose to construct a balcony gazebo for extra seating
with partially etched or frosted clear glass.
Over to You
Are your considering
clear glass for your sea-facing home or office? If yes, then choose AIS Glass
for high-quality clear panes that have precise flatness and unparalleled
clarity. See the vistas as they would appear to the naked eye with AIS Clear
Float Glass. We offer all functionalities mentioned above with this type of
glass. If you want toughness, insulation, frosting, enamelling along with
crystal clarity, give us a call.
We also provide a host of glass-related solutions that do not end at clear glass. To find out about our entire range of products and services log on to www.aisglass.com or access our mobile app today!
Modern architecture and
design demand clean aesthetics. The good news is, Glass is one of those
materials that have the unique ability to deliver this. If you want to add a
touch of luxury to your home or office décor, one way you can never go wrong is
with Glass.
Turn your home into a luxurious
space and give it a distinct ambience with specialised glass solutions.
Luxury and Glass Go
Hand-in-Hand
For both exterior and
interior architectural needs, glass solutions can be specialised. These days,
you see the results of innovative designers and architects everywhere – be it
restaurants, offices, malls, even bus stands! We are past the times of limiting
Glass to home office decor.Interior
design for contemporary and modern homes is constantly evolving, with newer
styles emerging, concentrating around Glass.
In fact, so many design
pieces traditionally made of wood and stone are now being replaced by Glass, thanks
to innovative and robust manufacturing process.
Glass as a versatile
material is coming to the forefront of architects and design specialists alike.
No more is Glass only for windows, screen doors and tables. The time has come
for innovation in function and aesthetic appeal – frosted, laminated, tempered
and much more!
How To Use Glass in
Homes and Offices
Here is why you should not
shy away from Glass dominating the aesthetics of your spaces.
A dash of luxury
Glass is the ultimate
luxury material. When you use it in doors, windows, and partitions, Glass adds a
sense of luxury to your spaces. Depending on how and where you’re using it,
this can range from a hint to a boundless blend of modernity and luxury. Use different
kinds of Glass – frosted, laminated, back painted, tempered – depending on your
needs in a particular space. The world of customised glass solutions is a
fascinating world waiting to be explored.
For instance, when you use frosted
Glass for your bathroom’s wash basin, it will immediately stand out to anyone
entering the space. Patterned Glass for a bookcase in a living room will brighten
up the ambience and add a touch of posh. Use creative glass solutions for
everyday functional pieces to give your space a distinctly sophisticated touch.
Complete privacy
Privacy needs usually arise
in interior space designs, and Glass offers a unique solution. Using Glass to
determine privacy ensures an atmosphere which is not obstructive in its
secureness, yet is sufficiently safe and contained. Glass has a way of establishing
boundaries without being too stuffy.
Frosted Glass is often the
desired way to go for all privacy requirements. It can be produced by either
sandblasting or acid etching on clear sheet glass. Since it is translucent in
nature, it gives you a privacy solution that fits right for both functional and
aesthetic needs – it allows for light to be let in while obscuring the view
just enough. Further modifications, in terms of design, is also possible with
frosted Glass.
Spacious rooms
Clever use of Glass can
ensure that a smaller space be designed in such a way that it gives the
illusion of largeness. Using Glass for sliding screen doors can create an
illusion of an open space layout, effectively removing physical constraints by
relaxing visual restrictions. Using Glass in key spaces like the kitchen can
pave the way for a more open space. Intelligent and creative use of Glass in
design solutions can essentially do the impossible – spaces that look limited
and small can magically become large and airy!
Eco-friendly
solutions
Technology has made it
possible that materials like solar control glass be developed and become key
competitors in thermal control solutions. With its low-emittance (low-E)
coating, solar control glass blocks radiant heat transfer. Different climates
translate into different energy needs, and this kind of Glass allows for
customizability. Using certain solar control glasses also allows for energy
efficient designs, a theme that might resonate with sustainability enthusiasts.
Turn to AIS Glass
for Customised Glass Solutions
The manufacturing process of Glass is constantly evolving to serve the diverse needs of home and office owners. Whatever you may need, you will find just the right solution at AIS Glass. Ranging from purely aesthetic designs like tinted and decorative to functional ones like solar control glasses to a mix of both such as frosted Glass, we specialise glass doors, windows, partitions, et al. Depending on your needs, we shape Glass into just what you need it to be.
Head over to AIS Glass and
survey a range of carefully crafted, customisable solutions. AIS Tinted, AIS Clear
and AIS Krystal offer many possibilities of design solutions that fit your
wants. AIS Glass solutions offer a vast abundance of features like protection
from harmful UV rays, noise reduction, high fire resistance, high durability,
eco-friendly nature and more. Apart from functionally attractive features such
as these, high aesthetic appeal is also ensured. These are glass solutions that
look well, and also work well, providing creativity the space to flourish
without compromising on functionality.
In just a
few months, COVID-19 has wholly altered our way of life, no matter where we
live. As the novel coronavirus has ushered in unprecedented norms of living in
the 21st century, social distancing has become the normal.
Now, the
world is slowly going back to normal, albeit with masks, gloves, and physical
distancing. To keep their customers and employees safe, many industries are
putting new measures and practices in place. A common practice many are
adopting is the increased use of glass in offices, shops, and other
establishments.
Safe and Sanitized Spaces with AIS Secure+
To ensure
safe interactions between people, businesses such as retail stores, hospitals,
pharmacies, and others are increasingly using glass barriers. At AIS Glass, we
have quickly responded to this growing market need. As the largest integrated
glass manufacturer in the country, AIS has consistently been innovating over
the years and providing solutions to businesses, institutions, community and the
society at large. Keeping comfort, convenience, and
safety at the heart of our products, we’ve launched AIS Secure+, a novel
partitioning concept that facilitates social distancing without compromising on
the aesthetics and ergonomics of a space.
AIS Secure+
is a safe and durable tempered glass that limits the spread of infection in
your space. Available in glass thickness of 8 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm, It is easy
to install, clean, disinfect, and maintain. AIS Secure+ offers a secure yet
interactive way to hold in-person dealings. This aesthetically appealing range
can be customised according to the style and décor of your space. What’s more,
you can reconfigure open spaces into private ones, making sure its occupants
remain safe and minimise physical contact.
AIS Secure+
Applications: Safeguard Your Space
AIS Secure+
is designedto safeguard a variety of public and private spaces:
Cash/enquiry/shop counters
Reception desks
Work spaces
Dining/café tables
Office cubicles
Malls and entertainment stores
Banks
Hospitals
Educational institutions
Restaurants
Retail showrooms
Hotels
Let’s see
how AIS Secure+ can be used in some spaces that see a high degree of physical
interactions.
Offices
At AIS
Glass, we’ve kept the changing needs of the workplace at the heart of our
latest technology. When employees come to work, their safety must be paramount.
With AIS Secure+, workplaces can ensure sanitary conditions through glass dividers
and screens between workers. These are especially required in open seating
layouts where several workers sit in proximity. Glass partitions should also be
used at the office reception, an area that sees a high footfall. AIS Secure+
can be easily retrofitted to existing desks and office spaces. What’s more, it
is customisable according to the needs of a space, and adds to its aesthetic
appeal. Make your workplace absolutely safe, stay stress-free and address your social
distancing needs with AIS Secure+.
Grocery
checkout
At a
supermarket, a high-contact area is the checkout line where people stand in
close proximity. Even when customers follow social distancing rules, they still
have to make contact with the cashier at the counter. Retail stores can secure
their checkout counter and minimize person-to-person contact by installing AIS
Secure+ glass partitions and creating a physical barrier between the cashier
and the customer. This will protect people against hazards such as coughing and
sneezing, thus creating a safe transaction environment.
Hospitals
Hospitals see
a high footfall of staff, visitors, and patients in a day, many of whom come in
close physical contact with each other. Thus, hospitals have to place an even
greater focus on the health and safety of employees and patients. AIS Secure+,
a safe and durable tempered glass, can be used to reduce the spread of the
virus. Glass panels can be installed at the reception, cash registers, and point
of purchase terminals at the pharmacy to protect the staff and visitors.
Some
businesses require a more decorative solution – recreation areas in a
workplace, between restaurant tables, the waiting area at a salon, etc. AIS
Secure+’s focus on aesthetics and a wide range of customisable options make it
perfect for lending a chic appeal to your spaces, apart from securing them.
Prioritise Health with AIS Secure+
Brought to you
by AIS Glass, AIS Secure+’s is designed
to protect your space’s visitors and occupants through proper social
distancing. This unique architectural partition that makes your spaces look
stylish while protecting them thoroughly. You can choose from various sizes and
thicknesses of glass, along with suitable hardware, for effective protection. A
customisable and durable clear tempered glass, AIS Secure+ ensures visibility
without compromising on safety.
To learn more
about the options available in the AIS Secure+ range, contact us to discuss
your space’s needs.
Do not judge a book by its cover, but you can
sure judge a building by its façade. This is because a façade is not merely an
ornamental building envelope. Notwithstanding the fact that modern facades
render a sleek and sophisticated look to offices and other structures, these
curtain walls are installed for fulfilling specific functional roles – roles
that are extremely vital in light of energy depletion and rising energy costs,
especially for offices.
Modern Glass Facades:
Taking Luxury to New Heights
There is a good reason as to why most gigantic
office and other commercial buildings incorporate glazed glass facades. After
all, the delicate, fluid visual feel of glass has professionalism and
sophistication written all over it. Superstructures constructed using glazed glass
facades are bound to have passers-by gaping at them in awe and wonderment and
allow the business owner to make a statement with the classy look of glass
facades.
Moreover, there is quite nothing like gazing
out at the world from the interiors of a building with glass facade systems.
The transparency of glass allows one to have an other-worldly sort of an
experience where the whole world lies in panoramic view of the spectator. As
there are no construction burdens on the partition wall of glass, modern-day
glass facades look like decorative skirts encircling the entire structure and
offering picturesque views that are breath-taking. Such views of the outdoors
coupled with the ample amount of natural light that enters play a key role in
boosting the mood of those working within those office buildings.
Not Just Visually
Enticing but High-Performing
The fact that modern glass façade systems are
eye-pleasing and offer an excellent view of the glorious outdoors is
undebatable. Yet, the importance of glass façade systems mainly makes sense due
to their high-performance in energy-savings and their cost-effectiveness to
offices and other commercial buildings where energy loss is a serious issue.
The effectiveness of glass facades in providing
optimal energy-efficiency greatly depends on the glazing type. Installing
solar-control glass or low-E glass in facades will prevent the intense heat of
the sun from invading the interiors without compromising on natural light.
Moreover, such facades can even prove to be beneficial during the colder months
of the year by trapping in the heat and not allowing it to escape. As a result,
the need for artificial lighting and artificial heating and cooling systems
will reduce significantly, thereby resulting in reduced energy consumption and energy
bills subsequently.
Energy-Efficiency +
All-Glass Buildings
Let us see why and how the energy-efficiency
provided by glass facades is being leveraged in the construction of modern-day
offices.
Firstly, the building envelope is the physical
barrier standing between the interior and the exterior environment. And to that
end, it is responsible for much of the energy balance that occurs inside the
building. As a result, the type of material used in the construction of the
envelope or the façade is of utmost importance in determining the energy
performance of a building, and therefore, its degree of sustainability.
Moreover, let’s not forget the direct impact it will have on the building’s
occupants, in this case, company’s workers. If the building is to stand in a
region that experiences a Mediterranean or a tropical type of climate, where
the need for interior cooling is more dominant for most part of the year, this
condition becomes even more critical. But the problem can be solved by glass
façades made using heat-reflective or low-E glass as they will reflect back
most of the unwanted heat of the sun, allowing only tolerable levels to linger
inside.
The next consideration while designing energy-efficient
office buildings that use glass facades is adequate room for natural light to
enter. Since the energy demand of any space is directly affected by the
internal loads created by both artificial lighting and the use of
air-conditioning and room heating and cooling devices, optimal
energy-efficiency would involve taking both sufficient natural lighting and
reduced need for air-conditioners and room heaters into account. Well, even in
terms of supplying natural light, glass façade stands as a clear winner.
Facades made of heat-reflective or low-E glass only disallow the unwanted
longer infrared radiation of the sun from entering. They allow copious amounts
of natural light to enter impeded.
Moreover, even smart glass or switchable glass
is increasingly becoming a popular choice for office facades. After all, the
simple recipe for achieving energy-efficiency in high-rise office and other
commercial buildings is to focus on accomplishing optimal light and temperature
management – both of which smart glass can smartly take care of minus the need
for external shading or blinds.
Experience the Best of
Glass Facades at AIS Glass
Weary of exorbitant energy bills that only seem to be rising by the year? Looking for efficient glass facades that can handle the situation? Look no further than AIS Glass – India’s leading glass manufacturer. Our structural glass facades offer excellent resistance against the harshest of weather elements – intense sun heat, harmful UV rays, rains, and high-velocity wind forces. Moreover, you can experience optimal daylight management using switchable smart glass facades. To experience the best that glass facades have to offer, get in touch with us without any second thoughts! Contact us today.
Have you ever come across an appealing type of glass whose surface is not all clear but is instead translucent The frosted glass looks a little different from the typical clear glass and finds applications in various areas, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a space. Let’s take a look.
A Dive into History
The Victorians originally came up with the process of acid-etching or ‘French-embossing’ glass in delicate hues of white and other diffused shades to decorate windows and doors. After all, the Victorian love for opulence is well known. The added benefit of privacy made it an attractive interior décor option. Thanks to them, they introduced the world to an aesthetic yet functional product.
What is Frosted Glass?
In technical terms, frosted glass is a transparent sheet of glass that is turned opaque through sandblasting or acid etching. Because of light scattering during transmission, the glass comes out as translucent, obscuring visibility even as it transmits light. You can also achieve this frosting effect by applying a film of vinyl that acts as a stencil on the surface of the glass or through canned frosted glass sprays.
How is Frosted Glass Made?
There are two kinds of techniques used to make frosted glass to achieve its milky translucent appearance.
Acid Etching
This technique uses hydrofluoric acid to achieve the frosted look of the glass. The acid reacts with the glass, corroding its surface and therefore giving it a milky appearance. After the process of acid-etching, the glass experts thoroughly wash the glass, leaving behind permanently etched glass.
Sandblasting
Sandblasting is another technique used to produce frosted glass. This technique uses a high-velocity machine to blast sand on the surface of the glass. The high velocity with which the sand hits the glass creates abrasions, rendering the surface rough and translucent. You can alter the level of translucency by changing the machine speed.
Where Can You Use Frosted Glass?
1. Bedrooms
Given the benefits of privacy and light control that frosted glass provides, it makes for the best companion for your bedroom’s windows. To give your room a stylish look, choose frosted glass windows with decorative designs.
2. Attics
Many of us use attics to spend some time in solitude with our thoughts. Equally valid is that attics often have towering windows that invite maximum sunlight. Anybody with a pulse will agree that privacy and direct sunlight are like oil and water; a dim-lit setting would be more appropriate. Instead of covering the windows with blinds, using frosted glass will better keep excess sunlight at bay.
3. Home Libraries
Privacy in libraries is of utmost importance. With privacy comes silence, the secret ingredient behind every book well-read. Using frosted glass panels will maintain your home library’s privacy while still casting soft light that is pleasant and not intruding.
4. Offices
In a workspace, workers need to focus and require a balance between collaboration and privacy. With frosted glass partitions, office spaces can give each individual the right environment for productivity. Frosted glass partitions can be placed between different areas such that employees don’t feel claustrophobic, or you can use them to create meeting rooms and cabins that look inviting but offer privacy. Perhaps the most significant benefit of using frosted glass in workplaces is that it lets in just enough natural light, contributing to the increased productivity of employees who feel refreshed throughout the day.
5. Kitchen Gardens
Many enjoy planting their kitchen herb garden. But herbs do not necessarily need direct sunlight and thrive best in balance. Creating an enclosed kitchen with colourful frosted glass panels is an effective way to detract sunlight and ensure the longevity of your plants.
6. Bathrooms
Using frosted glass for bathroom windows will provide enough natural light while obstructing the view from the outside. The use, however, is not limited to windows and can be extended to sliding bathroom doors or shower screens. Another added benefit of using frosted glass in bathrooms is its non-corrosive nature, which renders the surface mould-free. Moreover, using frosted glass panels with decorative designs will give your bathroom a modern look.
Where Can You Use Frosted Glass?
The Revolutionary Frosted Glass – AIS Krystal
When it comes to styling your home with glass, many do a fantastic job. Glass types such as patterned, float, lacquered, laminated, tempered, frosted, and much more are some of the common ones that are used to create an appealing environment indoors. Each type has its unique properties, but frosted glass sits at the crest of privacy and aesthetic appeal.
AIS Krystal Frosted glass is opaque, highly versatile, aesthetically appealing, and requires less maintenance.
The above properties make AIS Krystal Frosted Glass special from the other glass products. As a result, it can be used in various applications such as doors, windows, cabinets and shelves, false ceiling/roofing, designer panels with images, bannisters, stairs, and a lot more. It can also be used as a room divider or in place of walls for your bathrooms and bedrooms.
Why Should You Choose AIS Krystal Frosted Glass Partitions For Your Office?
Installing frosted glass in your office can completely transform it into a modern, stylish, and fully functional space. Here are some examples of how choosing frosted glass will enhance your office space:
Improved Lighting
One of the most significant advantages of using frosted glass in offices is increased natural light. Frosted glass is not as opaque as a brick wall and not as transparent as a standard glass wall providing you with sufficient natural light that makes your space brighter. Its translucent surface does not stop light from being transmitted. The increased amount of natural light reduces the need for artificial lighting and subsequently helps you save energy. Natural light makes your space feel more extensive and inviting. Moreover, frosted glass blocks out the sun’s harmful UV rays, allowing only the “good rays” to reach you.
Maintains Privacy
Maintaining a certain amount of privacy is imperative in an office setting. And frosted glass is also known as privacy glass for a reason. It allows a smooth flow of natural light and creates a certain amount of openness without compromising your privacy needs. The glass’s translucent nature and noise-insulating properties will enable you to work efficiently without getting disturbed by unwanted external noises.
Enhanced Durability
Glass is often perceived to be fragile and breakable; however, frosted glass is usually made from toughened glass and hence does not break even under high impact. It is exceptionally sturdy and very difficult to break. Frosted glass is produced so that it can withstand high-pressure environments such as earthquakes or fires. Even if the glass shatters, it breaks into small, blunt pebble-like pieces that do not cause serious injuries, unlike regular glass.
Increased Productivity
By installing frosted glass partitions in your workspace, you create a warm and welcoming environment. The space feels bigger and airy with enough natural light to illuminate the office environment. It also ensures the employees’ privacy, therefore providing them with an area where they can work productively. The overall environment of the office transforms into one that promotes creativity.
Enhanced Aesthetics
Apart from all its functional benefits, frosted glass is also an aesthetic addition to your office. With the number of customisations available in frosted glass, you could install it throughout your office space. Using frosted glass partitions undoubtedly makes the office space look more stylish, elegant and adds a professional feel. Modern architects highly recommend using frosted glass partitions to complement the workplace.
Low-Maintenance
Frosted glass is a low-maintenance option as compared to brick walls. It is long-lasting since its sturdy nature ensures that it doesn’t break easily. Moreover, a frosted glass office partition is easy to clean; all you have to do is occasionally wipe the glass with a damp cloth, and it will appear as good as new. Although you can use any dusting material, you should use a microfiber cloth to maintain the glass’s quality.
Scope for Personalisation
You can completely customise Frosted Glass according to your space and preferences. You can create custom logos on the glass. You can even choose half partitions or entire frosted glass partitions to create conference rooms or separate cubicles.
The Asahi India Glass ltd. (AIS) Advantage
At AIS Glass, we offer several frosted glass solutions to fit your needs perfectly. We customise the glass as per your needs and desires so that you can enjoy a stylish and comfortable office space. Our AIS Krystal frosted glass is India’s only branded frosted glass that will not only allow you to enjoy privacy in your workspace but will also let natural light pass through, so you don’t end up feeling locked in. Additionally, you can install our frosted glass solutions in your doors, interior screens, false ceiling/roofing, bannisters, stairs, bathrooms, et al. For glass solutions that make your spaces private but not a secret, contact AIS Glass today!
When it comes to construction and design, brick walls have traditionally been the go-to option. The high heat resistance of a brick wall was the most desired feature. It also came with certain disadvantages such as lack of transparency, obstruction of light and design flow, and certainly a lack of aesthetic appeal.
The one element of design and construction that is often stressed upon is the aesthetics. Beauty, after all, is priceless. The lesser contemplated but more important element that was typically ignored until now was ‘safety’. Designers and architects have now started to understand the importance of integrating these two key elements and finding a balance between them.
The introduction of fire resistant glass seems to have come up as the perfect solution to this problem.
The AIS Pyrobel, a high integrity fire resistant glass, and one of our premium offerings are now, quite literally, knocking down non-transparent wall/partition.
Not only is the AIS Pyrobel able to offer the same level of safety as a technologically sound glass wall, it also offers additional protection by way of thermal insulation, thereby curtailing the spread of fire.
The AIS Pyrobel is a tempered glass with fire resistant gel in between the glass sheets. This means that it is designed to offer excellent heat resistance and can withstand extreme thermal shocks. Unlike ordinary glass panes that blow up into shards when faced with fire within few min, the AIS Pyrobel will stand strong and contain the radiant heat from the fire.
This fire-resistance glass can be the perfect solution for the construction of server rooms, refuge areas/ floors, smoke screens, office partitions, doors and windows, glass roofs and overhead applications lift doors and enclosures, and internal staircase enclosure.
Not only does the AIS Pyrobel glass allow for great light-flow and transparency, but it also provides an aesthetic appeal that is not intrinsic to the traditional brick wall. Aside from adding interest to the ambience and creating a visual curiosity, it offers excellent safety against heat, fire and smoke for long durations and can prove to be quite versatile with the choice of frames. What’s more, it’s easy to install and complies with the highest standards of integrity and insulation, as the tempered glass its chances of breakage or damage. Lastly, offering dual side fire resistance, protect.
AIS Pyrobel also offers excellent noise insulation and can resist high loads of pressure. With a plethora of choices, and the assurance of quality from the leading fire glass manufacturers, it’s time to stay prepared and minimise the damage in case of unexpected fire breakouts with AIS Pyrobel.
An epitome of grace and dignity, she enriches our lives in the manner nobody else can. Her uniqueness and exceptional talents make her the champion of all odds, whether at home or work. Celebrating her indomitable spirit coupled with her sheer strength, AIS Glass commemorated the true essence of womanhood on this year’s Women’s Day, identifying with her at all levels. And this was the core of our Women’s Day Campaign – She is made of Glass – which encapsulated the hearts of millions. On this special day, honoring the indomitable spirit of women, we decided to interview women architects who AIS Glass is proud to have worked with. Today they are well-known names in their field who are breaking ground and inspiring young women professionals to chase their passions. On being asked about what they felt about AIS Glass’ social media campaign #SheIsMadeOfGlass and their response was nothing less than an enthusiastic affirmation. Expressing her approval, Ar. Tejaswini Pandit of Hiten Sethi & Associates commented that AIS has aptly captured the versatility of glass and given complete justice to the idea of womanhood at the same time through this campaign. Ar. Apoorva Sharma of Hafeez Contractor Architects goes on to say that it is a unique and interesting concept, and appreciates how it brilliantly brings out the uniqueness of AIS glass products by likening them with the unique qualities of women.
We rounded up the occasion with a cake cutting ceremony with each of the architectural firms we celebrated the day with. We also presented a memento to each one of the principal women architects to honour them and their work in the field of architecture. Indeed, it gives us much happiness and satisfaction now to share that #SheIsMadeOfGlass became viral soon after it went live on social media. It attracted an enthusiastic response with many among the social media audience expressing intrigue and approval and many more getting inspired to render their own thoughts creatively on the same. Ar. Kavita Talib of Soyuz Talib Architects Pvt Ltd is one such lady who has penned a beautiful poem on this theme. Knowing that it struck a chord among the active female citizenry of social media, we feel great to have connected with our audience successfully through this campaign.
So why do we say she’s made of glass?
Protective
No matter whichever role she plays in our life, she is always protective. We may underestimate her strength, but she’ll never let any harm touch us. Just like glass.
Clarity of vision
She’s able to see through the confusion. She is prescient and unpretentiously so. When in doubt, seek help in her tremendous clarity of vision, and she’ll never let you down. Just like glass.
Tough
You may think she is weak, that it is easy to break her. But you must know that she will be anything but that once she makes up her mind. Just like glass.
Transparent
She is not very good at concealing things because she knows that it is better not to. She will let you have a clear view of the world if you’re seeking it. Just like glass. We’re in 2019 now and today’s woman is breaking ground every day to build smart and innovate for change. At AIS Glass as well, there is a constant endeavour to redefine glass, making it smarter and futuristic for home and workplace settings. And that is how we got thinking that #SheIsMadeOfGlass in a whole new way.
It goes without saying that safety and security are the most critical aspect of any home interior set-up. A home truly feels like home when all of its residents feel secure and safe enough to live in peace. One way to ensure a theft-free environment inside the house without marring the beauty of the décor is by installing beefed-up glass doors and windows.
While glass has been conventionally thought of as a fragile material, with modern advancements in technology, it is one of the strongest materials today. There are various types of glasses available today with different kinds of functionalities. These glass solutions are aesthetically gratifying and customizable according to one’s personal choice. Here is a guide on how to use and apply different kinds of glasses in the house to enhance its beauty as well as security. Tempered Glass
Toughened or tempered glass is known to be up to five times stronger than your regular glass, which means that it is able to bear considerable load without breaking. The safety and resilience that toughened glass offers make it a perfect fit for homes, especially those with young children.
Another useful attribute of toughened glass is that the glass does not break into shards or spikes in a situation of severe impact. Instead, it crumbles into small, blunt pebbles that significantly cut down the risk of injury.
What makes the AIS Stronglas even more formidable is the fact that it is processed and controlled by thermal treatment. This makes it much stronger than any ordinary glass. The process involves heating the glass to its melting point and cooling it rapidly that puts the outer surface into compression and the inner surface into tension. It can be installed in table tops, balustrades, shelves, facades, shower enclosures, etc.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is produced by adhering two or more sheets of glass with PVB interlayer/s. It is the ‘laminated’ interlayer, processed with heat and pressure under factory conditions, which lends the glass its integrity and makes it sturdy. In case any damage occurs, the interlayer holds all the fragments together preventing them from scattering and reducing injury risk.
Insulated Glazed Unit :
IGU consists of two or more panels of glass separated by an air spacer and an aluminium or other type of spacer, around the edges, sealed to the perimeter in a controlled condition. The space contains a drying agent which eliminates the moisture vapour in the cavity. This combination makes this glass type a superior energy-efficient method of glazing.
Heat Strengthened Glass :
Heat- Strengthening is the process where the glass is first heated slowly and cooled gently. This makes the glass twice as strong as annealed glass . This glass type can withstand high temperature differentials.
Doors and windows made from AIS Securityglas are ideal as they are safe and strong. Breaking into a home secured by laminated uPVC doors & windowsis not easy as it involves a lot of effort and noise. The AIS Securityglas is of superior quality and provides a good degree of sound proofing to shut out undesirable noise pollution.
Safety is the primary concern of the residents. With AIS Glass safety and security solutions, your home will become your serene sanctum.
The bathroom in your home should be the one place you feel completely relaxed and at peace with yourself. It is in the process of taking a shower or soaking in a bath that we allow the stress and madding pace of the day to fall away. The interiors of a bathroom should reflect this need for warmth, peace, and privacy. The windows of the bathroom are quite different in their function from the windows used elsewhere. Let us look at the 3 important things to consider when choosing windows for bathrooms – Privacy In a country like India where apartments and buildings are built close together, privacy is a real concern. We tend to combat this with the use of curtains or drapes but the high moisture content inside the bathroom leaves them limp and moist all the time. Cleaning becomes an issue as well. Our frosted glass windows come in as the perfect solution to such a concern. These allow ample light to enter the bathroom without being transparent.
Humidity It goes without saying that the humidity levels of the bathroom are perhaps the highest. These make the bathrooms difficult to clean and susceptible to mould attacks. Removing moulds from window frames is a huge concern for home owners as well. It is best to opt for uPVC windows for bathrooms. These are resistant to rust, water damage, and stains. Also, they can be customized to fit the size and shape of your bathroom and look very attractive as well. Size In India, most bathroom windows are quite small. This is often due to the high need for privacy. However, it means that the need for customizing windows is high as well. Again, unlike windows of other rooms, outward opening or inward opening windows take up too much of space making them ill efficient. For this challenge too, uPVC windows come up as the best solution. These can be customised according to the size and the sliding designs are perfect space savers. Choosing the perfect bathroom window is always a fine balancing act between aesthetics, privacy, and functionality. Getting it right is the key to designing a great bathroom space.
Also known as back painted glass, lacquered glass is made by simply coating the back of the float glass using highly durable lacquer that is baked afterwards at a constant temperature in a furnace. As a result, the lacquer gets perfectly bonded to the surface of the smooth glass. Opaquely coloured in appearance, lacquered glass is a booming trend in the present time. Incorporating all the features of float glass, lacquered glass has a wide range of applications. Be it renovating your kitchen or making your bathroom look more colourful yet sophisticated, lacquered glass is the perfect glass option for your varied requirements.
Here are 3 smart ways to incorporate lacquered glass in your home. Have a look –
Wall Panels – When it comes to designing your house, lacquered glass is the perfect solution. Painting the walls is a repetitive process that costs more in the long run as well. Creating wall panels with coloured lacquered glass not only eliminates the need to paint but adds a creative look to the wall as well. Since they are durable, there are very little chances of breaking.
Kitchen Cabinets – Adding lacquered glass to your kitchen cabinets will change the entire look of your kitchen. Versatile and easygoing, cabinets made using lacquered glass are definitely more practical than their traditional counterparts. A lot of house owners are usually worried that using glass in their kitchen cabinets would reveal all the contents of their kitchen and may appear cluttered. The best way to tackle this problem is to use coloured lacquered glass as it will not reveal the contents of your kitchen without compromising on the aesthetics. Moreover, you can use tuffen glass for the same purpose as well.
Furniture – If you are done with your boring furniture and want to give it a makeover, lacquered glass is just perfect for you. With superb finish and modern look, tabletops and other furniture made using lacquered glass are not only durable but also highly resistant to moisture, adding to its longevity.
Made using special manufacturing process, lacquered glass is also an environment-friendly alternative. Giving a new and fresh look to the interiors of your house, it exhibits brilliant properties like scratch resistance and colour adhesion. Furthermore, always buy this product from premium glass suppliers like AIS Glass who offer other types of glass like energy efficient glass, frosted glass etc. as well to ensure the quality.
Glass is an incredible material used widely in the automotive and architectural industry. In the architectural industry, it also allows light and heat to enter the rooms and living spaces. However, this exposure to the outer-world can be unwanted, especially for those who value their privacy more than others.
If your home is located in a crowded area, which is usually the case with big cities, you learn to appreciate even the littlest space and privacy that can be mustered. For such a situation, instruct your chosen glass manufacturerto install smart glasses to solve all the issues of violation of privacy. Along with that, smart glasses are available in a variety of colour tints. Hence, it will help to uplift the aesthetics of your house.
Smart glass can be used in partition screens, uPVC windows, roof-lights and doors, along with security and teller screens. They can even work as HD projection screens! As this material is so flexible, architects and designers are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to use them.
Smart glasses have many applications:
Commercial usage
The electronic properties allow smart glass to ensure transparency and privacy at the same time. One can switch between an open and connected office space to a private meeting room simply by flicking a switch.
Residential areas
With smart glass, you can add an element of personalization in your home. It gives people an option to choose regarding where they want privacy and where they don’t.
Hospitals and Clinics
Smart glass is perfect for the medical sector. Hospitals and clinics incorporate smart glass to ensure both transparency and privacy in the open spaces, and prevent the use of unhygienic curtains.
Security
Since smart glass has a property that allows it to reduce noise, it can make any environment peaceful. There are many circumstances where we need this kind of technology in all spaces. Additionally, the ability to switch from transparent to opaque glass and vice versa is essential for security purposes. It helps by acting as a barrier against forced entry and can even protect from blasts and fires to an extent as well.
Hence, smart glass is a great alternative because it offers privacy without any drawbacks and adds to the aesthetic appeal of the place.
Times are changing, and so is the environment consciousness level of people. Today, when it comes to architecture and interior design, the facet of energy efficiency is taking a front seat. Home and office owners are beginning to imagine and create functional, future-proof and environment-proof spaces that do not have a high dependency on artificial energy. And, in their mission to reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings, glass plays a huge role since doors, windows and facades are the primary barriers separating the external environment from the internal environment.
Now, the first step towards making your building energy efficient lies in determining its present efficiency. Only then will you be able to select the right glass glazing in accordance with the results of your building’s energy efficiency determination. So, how does a layman do it? You might imagine that calculating something such as energy efficiency is beyond your expertise and well within the grasp of only a professional architect, engineer, builder, or an interior designer. Yet, there’s an easier, quicker and extremely reliable way out – carrying out a virtual simulation of your building in the palm of your hands. Being one of the most innovative glass manufacturers and glass suppliers in the country, AIS also offers an interesting portfolio of architectural mobile applications helpful to the layman. One of them is the AIS Glass Simulator – an app that lets you analyse your building for energy efficiency based on a wide range of parameters. Moreover, the app also recommends the best-suited high-performance glass products from AIS’ extensive portfolio depending upon the analysis of your building. Easy, right? With such an innovative application on your phone, you can take an informed decision about choosing the right glass glazing for your home or new project by carrying out a quick simulation anywhere, anytime. All you need to do is input a few details about your building, such as location, shape, orientation, wind-load, etc. On the basis of these parameters, the app will scrutinize your building to create an energy performance profile while also suggesting the most apt glass solution to turn your building energy efficient. Add to that the extensive Product Catalog with different glass types manufactured by AIS and their details, along with a Project Showcase which features many buildings and projects from all over the country which have different AIS glazing installed, and you have the complete package on your fingertips. Here are all the benefits of the app in brief: • Easily analyse your building’s energy performance • Get an intelligent analysis report • Save time, energy and money spent on finding the right glazing • Discover the entire high performance energy efficient glass range by AIS – AIS Ecosense • Visualize how your chosen glass solution will look in real life Easy-to-use, informative and helpful! Who knew energy simulation of a building could be this fun?
You would believe that winters in India are welcomed with much celebration as they bring respite from the harsh summer heat. Yet, come November, and suddenly the picture doesn’t look so rosy anymore. Cue the menace of air pollution.
Over the last few years, air pollution levels in urban centres of the country have risen steadily and have now reached alarming levels. This issue is made all the more prominent in the cold weather as fog mixes with the pollutants to give rise to smog – an extremely unhealthy air that we have now become accustomed to breathing.
So, amidst it all, how can glass technology help?
Since one spends the maximum amount of time in a day indoors, either at home or an office, the solution to air pollution lies in staying as far away from it as possible. Such a solution is possible in the realm of architecture wherein our windows and other outlets in the building a sealed and secure enough to prevent any leakage of the polluted air inside. Therefore, all you need is a sophisticated glass window system that will keep you and your loved ones safe from the smog. Stay safe indoors with Anti-Pollution Windows
Yes, you heard that right. As a leading glass company in India, AIS has always believed in the power of innovation to solve some of the most concerning architectural issues for customers and businesses, be it at homes or offices. With the same spirit of innovation in mind, our experts have created special Anti-Pollution and Anti-Smog Windows retailed by Glasxperts that promise to save you and your loved ones from the damaging effects of air pollution.
The idea, as you might have guessed, revolves around completely sealing air leakages and spaces inside so as to prevent the external environment from leaking inside homes and offices. How is this done? Let’s have a look:
Fusion-welded windows with a multi-lock system
High-quality gaskets and joints strongly seal the windows along with exceptional fusion welded joints. Such physical constructs in the specialized window system make it almost impossible for pollutants to enter inside and wreak havoc. Moreover, you can make sure that these windows close extremely tightly with the help of the advanced multipoint locking system in place.
Silicon to shut off gaps
A popular material used in various industries, silicon proves its merit in the anti-pollution window in the form of a special sealant that shits down any gaps – both in the window and the adjacent wall.
Double glazing in unit glasses
Moving on to the glass, you can rest assured of multi-chambered profiles and multiple layers that make it incredibly difficult for any minute percentage of outside air that has leaked inside to reach beyond the glazing. This advanced technique of providing completely sealed Double Glazing Units also enables the windows to prevent heat and sound to leak inside.
The ease of retrofitting
Finally, you might be thinking what a cumbersome and expensive task it would be to remove your existing windows and replace them with special anti-pollution ones. Well, these windows by AIS can be easily retrofitted on any window surface, thus freeing you of all the hassle. Retrofitting essentially means fitting a new window surface on top of the existing one, thus improving the efficiency of the entire system!
Natural lighting is an extremely important part of any building – simply because it is beneficial to both comfort and energy efficiency of an interior space. Having ideal natural lighting inside a building can reduce the dependency on artificial lighting and create a much more holistic environment for rest, relaxation and work. Yet, enabling the perfect balance of natural light within a building is not merely a function of using a glazing which will reflect heat and filter light. It depends on quite many factors, including the building orientation, the appropriateness of light diffusers installed, and also the kind of façades and windows in place. Thus, architect and building owners must conduct a thorough daylight analysis of any building in order to suggest glass that minimises discomfort and maximises visibility. Only after analysing the results of such a study can one opt for retrofitting buildings with low-E glass or going for a new glazing with the ideal U-value and SHGC. This is what we performed for a corporate building in Mumbai. CHALLENGE A corporate building in Mumbai required an optimum glazing solution to maximize its VLT (visible light transmission) requirement without overdesigning the building. SOLUTION Going by the specifications of glass, one with the lowest U-value and SHGC would have been the right solution for the corporate building. Yet the solution was not so easy. In order to determine the effect of various glazing variants on the building, a daylight analysis was performed. The two glazing variants simulated for the building were Clear Glass (VLT 78%) and high performance glass (VLT 21%). Both the glasses performed identically in terms of achieving the optimal lux levels. Clear Glass, in fact, caused glare in certain portions of the building.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, the first case is Clear Glass (VLT = 78%). The pink region shows the area which will have glare, and the grey region indicates sub-optimal lighting. The second case is high-performance glass (VLT = 21%). Here, we can see the reduction in glare area without reducing optimum lux level. Thus, AIS recommended using high-performance glass in order to reduce cooling load without compromising on the lighting load. RESULTS From the study conducted, the following results were deduced:
The same fenestration behaves differently depending on the specific design.
It should not be assumed that products with low U-Value and SHGC are the best and universal solution.
For windows receiving a high amount of solar radiation, products with low SHGC would perform better. Hence, a glazing solution should be selected only after thoroughly analysing the building design.
As mentioned earlier, architects and glass manufacturers have to study various factors in building design before selecting the ideal glazing. An important factor is window orientation and area which allows ideal dispersion of daylight without causing glare or excess heat gain. It has been observed that south-facing windows let in the highest amount of daylight while north-facing windows let in diffused and reflected glare-free light. On the other hand, east- and west-facing windows let in direct sunlight, glare, and heat gain, which are difficult to manage. Thus, different glazing solutions are required for different orientations, especially in the kind of building mentioned in the case study.
Everyone is well versed with the destructive powers of a fire breakout. Not only does such a hazard threaten the life of the occupants of an office building but also poses a significant risk to the property, equipment and the documents inside. This is the very reason why architects and designers provide for the adequate safety of the building and its occupants in the event of a fire by installing fire-proof architectural solutions as per the norms.
Glass the Key to Passive Fire Protection in Offices
Such key solutions form a part of any office building’s Passive Fire Protection (PFP) systems which prevent the spread of fire by creating barriers to its passage for a limited time, enabling occupants to move to a safe environment. PFP is an essential fire safety strategy for any building. If proper planning, installation, and maintenance are implemented, passive fire protection can save lives and the building itself. While PFP may not provide a complete fire safety solution, when combined with AFP (or Active Fire Protection systems), they can make a big difference in case of an emergency.
With glass being one of the most major elements in all office space constructions, opting for multifunctional, specialized glass solutions for safe, secure and comfortable living and working is paramount. Thus, glass forms a key component of an office’s Passive Fire Protection Systems. This is where office building owners can safeguard their investment, employees and business by opting for fire-resistant glass solutions tested and approved according to Indian and international standards such as AIS Pyrobel.
AIS Pyrobel blends light, transparency and fire-protection for all building applications, framing types, and fire-resistance classes and durations. Office building owners can choose from any of the three variants:
Class E: Prevents flames, smoke, and hot gases from passing through. The fire remains contained.
Class EW: Integrity and Low Heat Radiation or the ability of the element to prevent the passage of flames and to limit the level of heat transfer through the element.
Class EI: Integrity and Insulation or the ability of the element to prevent the passage of flames and to block heat transfer through the element.
All in all, with the help of AIS Pyrobel, offices can:
Remain protected against fire, heat, and smoke for extended periods
Remain protected against radiation and conductive heat transfer
Install fire-resistance glass in all framing systems – wood, steel or aluminium or even frameless
Where to Use Fire-Proof Glass in Offices
Partitions
Fully glazed fire doors
Façades and windows to prevent the fire from transmitting inside-out or outside-in
Floors
Data Storage and Server Room enclosures to preserve electronic data
Stair enclosures or doors with in-built vision panels which provide the most vital access points and exit routes
Lift doors and enclosures
The secret to keeping your office space safe and fire-proof, therefore, lies in investing in one of the most advanced glass solutions manufactured by AIS, the leading glass company in India. Do take note that it is imperative to install the fire-resistant glass only in systems that comply with safety regulations.
It is the 21st century, and energy conservation and sustainability in architecture is surely gathering momentum. With one eye fixed ever so intently on the environment and the rising global temperatures, architects are turning to innovation and technology to turn the tables on myopic building design and combat energy inefficiency in our living and working spaces. This is where glass is proving to be their trusted accomplice.
So, when a prominent learning institute in Mumbai approached Asahi India Glass Ltd., the most comprehensive integrated glass company in India, to achieve high performance energy efficiency, we carried out a comprehensive and painstaking glazing and building design analysis to provide a satisfactory solution. Let’s find out how: Problem
A learning institute in Mumbai wanted to optimize its building design without spending big on glazing solutions. This meant reducing the heat gain inside the building without compromising natural lighting. Solution
Normally, we have observed that when it comes to glazing solutions providing high performance energy efficiency, architectural glass variants with a lower Solar Factor and lower U-Value are favoured. But to achieve the ideal balance between the building design and glazing feasibility, we had to come up with an optimum solution that offers best return on investment.
Therefore, first we conducted a study to understand the building design. Due to the architecture of the institute, the building’s direct and indirect heat gain had fallen down considerably. This can be explained by Fig. 1:
4 Classrooms located on the north side received diffused light and no direct heat
4 South-facing classrooms were provided with a shading device to prevent direct heat and glare
4 Buffer zones, created by placing the service areas along the east façade and corridors along the west façade, prevented heat ingress in the offices
4 Walls had good insulation properties to prevent long-wave radiations from entering into the building
4 North light provided natural light to a portion of the building
These observations allowed us to fine tune our glazing solution. Ultimately, due to the optimal building design, we could choose a solution which did not have the best specifications (and therefore higher cost) but was a perfect match for the design.
In order to do so, a detailed building energy analysis and simulation was conducted with a huge portfolio of AIS products. Their performance parameters are compared in the table above. Then, we compared the energy saving percentage against cost payback period.
This study is depicted in the Fig 2. As one can see, Spring SGU (Solar Control product from the AIS Ecosense range) which has Solar Factor (SF) = 64%, Visual Light Transmission (VLT) = 65%, and U-Value = 5.4 w/ m2 k performed best out of all the glasses with 17% energy savings and 2 months’ payback period, when compared to base case Clear DGU (double glaze unit).
Results
Thus, by understanding the relationship between building design and glazing type, we could suggest the client a glazing glass with an optimum Solar Factor and U-Value and higher VLT – thus enabling the institute to save on money and recover investment far quicker than imagined.
In the present scenario, where competition is cut-throat, brands often find themselves in a rat-race to make their presence felt. This they can very well achieve by making their outlets aesthetically appealing. But with aesthetics, security too plays an important role.
Sometimes a pane of glass is the only thing standing between a burglar and your valuable inventory. Upgrading the security of your store is very much achievable by adding security features to your glass. Owing to the new construction techniques and value additions, glass today isn’t fragile. It has many advanced features to ensure strength, durability and sturdiness to fulfill safety requisites in retail outlets.
High- Grade Tempered Glass-
Tempered glasses are always stronger and safer. Hence, they are less resistant to breakage. Although, like clear glasses, they are also scratch resistant and can withstand normal wear and tear. But the major difference lies when they are subject to force. While a regular clear glass shatters in such a scenario, tempered glass is extremely tough and impact resistant. Even when the tempered glass does break down, it does so in the form of granules, thus reducing chances of injury inside your store. Therefore, they make for a great option to secure your displays and cabinets.
Laminated Glasses-
When we talk about burglary, laminated glass is always the first choice. The three layered structure of laminated glasses (the middle layer being usually a polyvinyl butyral interlayer which acts like a glue) makes them strong enough to resist penetration and gives you the ability to see more without compromising on the safety factor. Owing to its strength and other safety features, laminated glass is used in a number of applications, most typically for your storefront, facades and windows. High-grade laminated glass typically offers:
Protection against broken glass or forced entry
Bullet resistance
When used in the retail sector, breaking into the building with laminated glass isn’t that easy, usually involving a lot of efforts, a lot of time and a lot of noise. Hence, the use of laminated glass as a security feature has increased over the past few years. It also offers noise protection in noisy areas and areas involving a lot of traffic. In case of breakage, laminated glass tends to remain in its frame and hence minimizes the risk of injury. This is because of the interlayer which is made up of polyvinyl butyral ( PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate(EVA) that holds the pane in place. The chances of attracting the customers to your store increases significantly when you have security glasses to enhance the safety of your retail outlet.
Hence, out of all the window glass types, tempered and laminated are the ones that can enhance the safety feature of your retail outlet
