Your wardrobe is like a personal sanctuary. Apart from being a storage space for your clothes, accessories, footwear and other essentials, the way it is conceptualised and designed are also a reflection of your taste and character. Find the right balance between stunning aesthetics and everyday functionality to swathe your wardrobe like never before.
With a wide range of glass from AIS, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting the right type depending on your taste and requirement. AIS Décor is a lacquered glass that is designed especially for the interiors and to give your space a fresh appeal. Primarily a back-painted glass, AIS Décor has a striking coloured, opaque appearance that is made possible by applying a special high-quality paint to one of the two surfaces of the glass. It is then oven-cured using an advanced technical process.
AIS Décor is well suited for a glass sliding door for Wardrobes, especially when you’re trying to elevate the look and feel of your sliding wardrobe. It has an unmatched ability to instantly enhance the way your glass closet looks. To top it all, it is also eco-friendly and highly durable. The manufacturing process guarantees a uniform appearance and ensures that the paint adheres spotlessly to the glass. Rest assured, the brand-new look of the coloured glass is preserved, even after using it for years.
Additionally, you can customise the glass further to match your style. Choose from 16 stunning shades including Sparkling Snow White, Venetian Red, Black Pearl, Sterling Silver, Snow White, Sparkling Beige, Chrome Yellow, Turquoise Green, Stone Grey, Hazel Brown, Earthy Brown, Nile Blue, Spring Green, Autumn Orange, Azure Blue and Sea Green.
You can also cut, drill, ground, polish or edge-finish the material, as you desire. Choose from the huge array of AIS Décor Glass to give your wardrobe an elegant upgrade. This glass type is highly versatile, effortless in their appeal and can be easily customised to match your taste.
Glass installation instantly improves the two pillars of the hospitality sector, aesthetics and space. Hence, they are a staple material for this sector. Although they are considered fragile, the advancements in technology have rendered the glass more sturdiness and durability. Further, they can be used in various creative ways to enhance the kerb appeal as well.
Security glass is dominating the fenestration world owing to the innumerable benefits it has in store – from being highly durable to withstanding significant impact. Its mechanism and features make them a suitable choice for the hospitality sector. Here’s how you can incorporate it in different areas- 1)Glass Walkways and Balconies
The hospitality industry is usually known for the amazing views that visitors get to enjoy. This is where glasswalkways and balconies come into play. They offer admirable views of outdoors and their sleek design adds aesthetic features to the indoors. However, ensuring security and avoiding accidents are mandatory as well. Security glass is the ideal solution to ensure both the safety and aesthetic appeal as it’s architecturally sound. These anti-slip and highly durable glasses are perfect for the guests to enjoy walking on glass. 2)Shower Cubicles
Since the hospitality industry is all about servicing clients, every precaution must be taken to ensure the safety of the guests. Although the chances of the glass shower enclosure breaking are very less, willingly sheltering this potential risk is not worth it. Security glass is designed to sustain heavy blows and not break. However, even if it breaks, its unique mechanism prevents the glass from shattering into large shards that can injure the guests. Hence, they are the ideal choice for shower cubicles. 3)Windows
Security glass, when installed in windows, helps in maintaining safety as well as preventing outside noise from entering the reception area or other rooms. This helps to ensure a quiet and peaceful environment for the guests. Also, they eliminate the chances of burglaries and thefts owing to their impact resistant feature. 4)Entrance Doors
The entrance door is the center of attraction and makes the first impression. Hence, it must be in an impeccable condition and meticulously designed. With security glass, you never have to worry about cracks or any other damage. Besides ensuring security, it accentuates the entrance of the property.
A reliable glass company in Indiasuch as AIS Glass is your best bet in case you are planning to enhance the security of the hospitality sector.
The gym culture has well and truly taken the country by storm. In every nook and cranny, especially in urban areas, one is sure to find a prominent gym or smaller fitness establishments catering to young denizens of the area. And in order to be the standout gym in the area, you not only need to create a fully-equipped and inspiring space, but also a comfortable ambience. But what is it that makes a gym fab? Well, glass, of course!
While the use of glass, traditionally considered to be brittle, in a rough and tough environment such as a gym might seem counter-productive, technology in glass manufacturing and processing has actually devised glass solutions to solve the most irksome of interior design issues for gyms. If you are a gym owner reading this, then let us highlight a few issues that a gym might face in terms of its interior design and architecture:
The space seems crammed and congested
You are over-relying on artificial lighting to create the ‘right’ ambience
The interiors get unbearably hot during summers
You want a ‘classy’ aesthetic vibe for the interiors instead of just splashing paint on the walls
That being said, it’s all a matter of clever usage of a glass window or glass partitions with the right type of glass and turning gymnasium spaces into functional spaces. In doing so, you have to keep a few things in mind: optimizing light, maximizing space, harmonizing energy, and realizing aesthetics. Let’s take a look at each one by one.
Optimizing Light
Lighting plays a big role in setting the mood of your gym members. If there’s glare, the workout becomes irritating. If there’s no natural light at all, then the workout space feels uncomfortable and claustrophobic. This can be solved by applying AIS Tinted Heat-Absorbing Glass or AIS Swytchglas facades or windows in your gym. While the former creates a soothing environment by allowing only 47% incident solar energy to reach the interiors, the latter allows you to control the amount of light inside by changing the transparency of your façade from transparent to translucent or vice versa via remote control. Maximizing Space
The best gyms always provide ample room for personal workouts, thus reducing any occurrence of injury due to accidental interference of members’ exercise routines. This can be made possible by thoughtful space-saving interior design, such as installing uPVC doors and windows with sliding mechanisms. You can also use AIS Mirror installations on your walls to create the illusion of space and install impact-resistant and injury-proof AIS Stronglas partitions which reflect more internal light and create safe individual workout spaces. Harmonizing Energy
Reducing the load on air conditioning and artificial lighting in order create a more energy efficient gym space and reduce your electricity bills can be done via low-E glass facades made of the high performance AIS Ecosense. This glass reflects away majority of the incident heat, thus contributing to cooler and more comfortable interiors. Realizing Aesthetics
Finally, you can enrich your gym interiors with AIS Décor coloured lacquered glass which comes in 10 striking shades. Not only do these glass panels add style and substance to your gym but also offer a high quality, long-lasting finish, moisture resistance and extremely easy maintenance.
Ready to add class with glass to your gym?
The art of manufacturing glass is an old one. It was a process that has been refined for thousands of years. With technology becoming increasingly advanced, glass manufacturers have begun producing float glass that is much sturdier, durable, and compatible with glass processing procedures such as lamination, tempering, acid etching, sandblasting, etc. Skyscrapers shining with glass windows can be seen everywhere today. Homes with large French windows are in-trend. Glass partitions and shower walls are common in almost all homes today. Everything from cars to mobile phones utilises glass.
History of Making Glass
The art of making glass can be traced back to 2600 BC in Mesopotamia. The Egyptians practised making glass around 2500 BC. Artificial glass first appeared in the Egyptian or Mesopotamian civilisation, whereas they used tools made out of volcanic glass obsidian in the Stone Age. Ancient China, however, discovered how to make glass a little later.
Glass beads are known to be one of the earliest products made out of glass. Their creation is thought to be primarily accidental. In the later Bronze Age, glassmaking came to a halt. Glass was a luxury material back then.
Archaeological excavations suggest the use of glass in England during the Middle Ages. In the 10th century, stained glass found a place in cathedrals and the windows of palaces. After the Renaissance, architectural methods changed substantially, leading to a decrease in stained glass as a building material. Domestic use of glass increased following the Industrial Revolution. Vessels, glass windows, and glass beads gained popularity in Europe during this period. During the 19th century, many people preferred glass windows and doors as a decorative option. In the late 19th century, some designers brought back stained glass for decorative windows. It was during this period that Mr. Tiffany discovered several methods to make domed glass handicrafts.
People discovered the true versatility of using glass as a building material only in the 20th century. With glassmaking technology receiving an industrial boom, you could produce several different types of glass. Toughened glass, laminated glass, bulletproof glass, and smart glass all boosted the use of glass in buildings. Today, several skyscrapers, small and big homes, and offices use glass in almost all aspects of construction and design.
What are the Different Types of Glass?
Since glass has a wide variety of applications, it is of different types. Each of these varies in strength and design. In homes and offices, glass is used in everything from large windows to partitions and shower walls. New technology has enabled manufacturers to overcome the typical weaknesses of glass – brittleness, constant transparency, and a complete lack of sound control.
Based on the raw materials used, glass can be classified into the following types:
1. Fused Quartz or Fused Silica Glass
This type of glass is highly resistant to weathering. Its molecules are arranged randomly. This type of glass is used in tube lights and furnaces.
2. Soda-Lime Silica Glass
This type of glass is commonly used in windows and is one of the most prevalent types of glass made anywhere in the world.
3. Sodium Borosilicate Glass
In this type of glass, boron oxide is added. It makes the glass less prone to cracking. It is primarily used to make lab equipment and kitchenware.
4. Lead Oxide Glass
Lead oxide glass has high reflective properties, making it a favourite of jewellery makers. Its crystals reflect light brilliantly.
5. Clear Glass
Also known as float glass,clear glass offers extreme clarity and transparency for unobstructed views, making it the go-to choose for panoramic windows.
6. Tinted Glass
Commonly known as annealed glass, tinted glass is manufactured with a coating or a film to impart its colour and reduce light transmission.
Types Of Value-Added Glass:
Apart from these, ordinary glass has been updated to accommodate various design choices to add value based on your glass needs. Some of the most unique and beneficial value-added glasses include the following:
1. Smart Glass
Smart glass, essentially a privacy solution, is a type of glass that can change its opacity at the click of a button. This type of glass is generally made using ions sandwiched between different glass layers. On the application of electric current, these ions shift positions to change the opacity of glass. Smart glass is widely used in both residential and commercial buildings. Smart glass, like AIS Swytchglass, is also considered to be ecologically efficient due to its ability to prevent/allow lighting and heat in a room.
2. Acoustic Glass
As the name suggests, acoustic glass is used to control sound inside a room, thus taking care of appropriate decibel needs or sound-control needs. It is the trendiest method to soundproof a living space or a commercial office. Acoustic glass is widely used in homes, recording studios, and private offices. This type of glass is ideal for people who do not wish for bulky soundproofing.
3. Frosted Glass
Frosted glass is a privacy-solution value-added glass. It is not entirely transparent, which means it gives the benefit of privacy and partial visibility. It can be used in windows and partitions. Shower screens, doors, cabinet shelves, and false ceilings also employ frosted glass. Frosted glass is used primarily by people desiring privacy, but it can also be a design choice. AIS Krystal Frosted Glass is the perfect way to ensure privacy while adding aesthetic appeal to your living space.
4. Energy Efficient Glass
Energy-efficient glass is used in eco-friendly buildings to maintain a balance between aesthetics and eco-consciousness. It focuses on saving energy as it works by preventing or allowing solar radiation inside a room. AIS Ecosense is an energy-efficient glass curated especially for Indian customers. AIS Ecosense enables a place to stay bright and fresh by limiting the solar energy entering a room. It comes in different varieties and can be used in both exterior and interior architecture.
Apart from these, several other types of glass are frequently used in various industries. These include automotive glass, decorative glass, back-painted glass, and laminated glass. Regardless of the sort, glass is a true blessing to humankind.
How Glass is made?
At Asahi India Glass Ltd., the highest quality glass manufacturing techniques are used to produce the perfect sheets of float glass. The method used is the PPG process that Sir Alistair Pilkington discovered in 1952 and is still the most trusted float glass manufacturing process. Naturally, it has many steps involved in it, and at each stage, great care is taken to be precise and thorough with the production of glass.
From selecting the right type and ratios of ingredients for glass to assimilating them all scientifically to produce glass as we know it, here we answer the question of how glass is made through a step-by-step process:
1. Melting and Refining
To make clear glass, the right set of raw materials is required. This consists of silica sand (SiO2), sodium oxide (Na2O) from soda ash, calcium oxide (CaO) from limestone/dolomite, dolomite (MgO), and feldspar (Al2O3). These ingredients are mixed in the right proportion, and the entire batch is flown into a furnace heated to 1500 degrees Celsius.
To impart colour to the glass, certain metal oxides are also mixed in the batch.
2. Float Bath
The molten material from the furnace flows into the float bath, consisting of a mirror-like surface made from molten tin. This material enters the bath at 1500 degrees Celsius and leaves the bath at around 650 degrees Celsius. Its shape at the exit is like a solid ribbon.
3. Coating for Reflective Glass
After that, if one is producing reflective glass surfaces that help keep indoors cooler, then coating procedures are followed in which either a hard coat or a soft coat is applied to the surface of the glass ribbon at high temperatures.
4. Annealing
Next, a process called annealing is done to remove the internal stresses built up in the glass. This process allows the glass ribbon to pass through a layer that eliminates any pressure on the glass surface and gradually cools it to give it its final hardened form. This makes it easier to cut the glass and shape it accordingly.
5. Inspecting
More than 100 million inspections can be made through acute and advanced inspection technology throughout the glass manufacturing procedure to identify air bubbles, stresses, or grains of sand that refuse to melt. This is essential for quality-proofing the final form of glass.
6. Cutting to Order
Finally, diamond steel is used to trim and cut the glass ribbons into square shapes.
Uses Of Glass in Construction and Architecture
Over the years, glass has characterised modern architecture like no other material. Glass materials distinguish the look and feel of facades and have a crucial involvement in the energy efficiency of buildings.
The usage of glass in the commercial and residential sectors is increasing by leaps and bounds. This versatile material is now considered a symbol of affluence and luxury and has gradually become an architect’s favourite.
Advantages Of Glass in Architecture
Glass can make infrastructure look more stunning and sophisticated. The use of glass in construction adds beauty to the building. Its use achieves the architectural view for external decoration. When used in interiors, glass saves space too.
Glass cladding in buildings carries out the functional requirements of heat retention, lighting, and energy-saving. It also adds a sense of ingenuousness and harmony to any surroundings.
How are AIS’ Glass Solutions Different from the Rest?
We offer various solutions depending on the needs of your project and provide customised solutions to cater to your every need in a glass. We have products that are five times stronger than ordinary glass in the market. allowing architects and contractors to build the best architectural designs.
Why Should You Choose AIS Glass?
Design and durability:
By opting for AIS glass solutions, you are guaranteed to get designs that are durable, aesthetically pleasing, and flexible in nature.
Safety and Security:
Our glass solutions offer better safety and security, making them the best option for use in high-security places.
Noise reduction:
Modern homeowners can also use our solutions to control sound levels and act as an effective insulator. If your office or home is situated near a busy market, railway station, or airport, these solutions can be vital in keeping the sound out.
AIS Glass is India’s leading integrated glass manufacturing company, serving the automotive, architectural, and consumer glass industries. We having over 13 glass sub-assemblyOur products are made with finesse and are customised according to the needs of our customers.
As we all know, clear float glass is a sheet of glass which is made by floating molten glass over a molten metal bath in order to achieve an end product of uniform thickness and a smooth surface. Float glass is, therefore, one of the most basic forms of architectural glass and can be processed further to yield functional variants of glass such as tempered glass and laminated glass.
But, behind all these technicalities, there lies a fascinating story of how the perfect technique for float glass manufacturing was discovered. It was in 1959 that Sir Alastair Pilkington from Merseyside, England, discovered the innovative process that is followed till this date. And it was all a result of a serendipitous sight. Before the discovery by Pilkington
Till the 1600s, glass continued to be made by blowing large cylinders of hot glass which were then cut and flattened into sheets. Thereafter came the techniques of making plate glass (in which molten glass was poured into a mould and pressed in between plates to create a flat sheet of glass) and sheet glass (in which ribbons of molten glass were extracted from a furnace and flattened by passing them between rollers). Both these techniques were time-consuming and a costly affair, not to mention the surface imperfection and inferior quality of the resultant glass. How to make glass which is perfectly flat, smooth and clear was the question on every glass manufacturer’s lips till the 1950s. One such manufacturer was Alastair Pilkington, who later on received his knighthood for the invention of the float glass manufacturing process. A ground-breaking invention
The Pilkingtons were already known for inventing the plate glass manufacture technique. But the need for a better glass manufacturing technique that could produce glass of the perfect quality was always high on their agenda.
As the story goes, in 1952, while doing the dishes one night, Alastair Pilkington happened to notice one of the dinner plates floating on the water surface in the sink. Instantly, it struck him: what if he could float the glass ribbon from the furnace on a similar liquid surface? The molten glass would mirror the flat liquid surface and will settle down evenly due to gravity!
The only obstacle that remained was finding the perfect liquid for floating molten glass. Water, for all its abundance, would have instantly vaporized upon coming in contact with glass at such a high temperature. Thus, for seven long years, Pilkington and his scientists continued to experiment until it was discovered that molten tin offers the best liquid surface for float glass. The molten tin bath allowed the glass ribbon to cool down slowly while floating, and could also be separated from the cooled glass without leaving any mark on its surface!
Thus, the Pilkington process was born, and float glass of zero distortion, perfect thickness and amazing clarity could be mass produced. This very process is what is used in the manufacture of AIS Clear Float Glass as well.
There are many different window glass types such as laminated and tempered glass which are used in automotive glass installations. While windshields, which represent the most important glass installation in a car, are made from laminated glass, side windows are constructed from tempered glass. Many people prioritise windshield maintenance and repair for their cars, but that doesn’t mean that they neglect the side windows.
Unlike annealed and laminated glass, good quality tempered glass, such as Temperlite-LT by AIS Glass, breaks away into tiny pebble-like pieces that are harmless and powdery in nature. This property ensures that the passengers and the drivers remain uninjured in case the side windows get shattered. While tempered glass does make the side windows strong and durable, there are many precautions you need to take in order to ensure that it does not get damaged beyond repair. Here are four things to keep in mind so as to ensure safe working car glass windows:
Do not delay repair
From time to time, it is important to inspect the condition of your car windows. This becomes extremely important in the aftermath of an accident which might have caused some damage to the structure of the car. Even if your windows have a small crack, a minor chip or a scratch, do not assume that it is harmless. These damages have a habit of exacerbating over time while also weakening the glass, thus putting you and other passengers in danger the next time an accident occurs. Therefore, always get the windows repaired quickly by the experts in your vicinity.
Do not slam the car doors violently
Yes, slamming the car doors time and time again can lead to damaged side windows. One has to understand that these sudden closing of the doors with force generate vibrations inside the car. If they occur with high frequency, then there is a chance that some integral structural damage might occur to the window installation or the windows might loosen. It is best to be gentle and mannerly while shutting the car door.
Do not use ammonia-based cleaning agents
It is important to know the right type of cleaning agents for your car windows. Ammonia-based agents are usually used in architectural glass inside homes and buildings, and can damage the tint of the car windows. Also, while cleaning car windows, use a clean cloth or microfiber towel so as to avoid leaving damaging streaks.
Do not expose car windows to long periods of intense, direct sunlight
Long exposure to harsh heat and sunlight causes UV ray damage to car windows, thereby decreasing their lifespan and also affecting the structural integrity of your car. Always try to park your car in the shade, a garage or with a protective cover.
Glass is amongst the most extensively used materials in the architectural industry as it plays a crucial role in controlling the flow of heat and light in and out of your home. Glass should not be limited to a functional material or simply be an afterthought. It can also be used to enhance the decor of your interiors, which makes it one of the most versatile materials in architecture.
There are numerous window glass types and other specialized glass available today. Below, you’ll find one apt for each room in your home – THE MASTER BEDROOM Double Glazing Glass
The double glazed glass comprises of two layers of glass with another layer of gas sandwiched between the two. This gives it the high thermal performance that doubled glazed glass is well-known for. It reflects away the infrared heat during the summer season, keeping your room cool, while in the winter season, it retains the heat, keeping the room warm. Laminated Glass
For the highest degree of protection, opt for laminated glass. It is manufactured by bonding together two or more sheets of glass with a plastic interlayer, usually PVB. Owing to its toughness, the glass is used for reinforcing security as it can stop burglars from entering the house and is also available with multi-lock mechanisms. Smart Glass & Integrated Blinds
There’s nothing better than more privacy in a bedroom, and smart glass like AIS Swytchglas, which switches from transparent to translucent at the press of a button, provides you exactly that. Having integrated glass blinds also offer a great modern solution for your windows. THE KIDS’ ROOM Tempered Glass
This type of safety glass is well suited for the kids’ room. Its safety features ensure that little children stay away from harm’s way. Tempered glass is impact resistant, thereby reducing chances of injury. It is made out of ordinary annealed glass which is hardened considerably through the process of heating and rapid cooling. In case of heavy impact, the glass shatters into small pieces without sharp edges. The glass is 4-5 times stronger than regular glass, making it the ideal choice for the kids’ room. THE LIVING ROOM Stained Glass and Clear Glass
This type of glass is widely used for aesthetic purposes, commonly spotted in the windows of old buildings. This coloured, decorative glass can be found in churches, funeral homes and museums. When installed at your house, it allows ample amount of light in while ensuring your privacy. For table-tops, you should use clear glasses.
Lacquered Glass
An immensely popular decorative glass which you can utilize in your kitchen cabinet windows is lacquered glass. It’s stunning painted appearance, eco-friendliness, and heat and moisture resistance make it ideal for the conditions of a kitchen. THE BATHROOM Frosted Glass
Frosted glass is subjected to a sandblasting technique that turns ordinary glass slightly opaque. This effect helps in maintaining privacy, and is a popular choice for bathrooms, glass partitions or walls. Moreover, the glass requires low maintenance as it does not allow dust to stick to its surface.
