Modern architecture has reached new heights, thanks to the rapid progress in technology, improvement in the quality of the material used and limitless innovations! But there’s one thing that the modern architects seem to be loving a little too much, architectural glass. Be it any famous building you can think of, the use of glass certainly enhances the beauty of any building.
Properties of Glass
Glass is majorly used in the construction of buildings, museums and other structures due to the following properties:
1. Transparency
The most unique property of glass is that it is transparent (or translucent). Caused due to its non-crystalline nature and peculiarity of the bonds within the glass, its transparent appearance allows it to manipulate lights, block certain waves from entering and even reflect them, thereby providing the architects tons of opportunities to play around and create masterpieces.
2. Insulation
Glass has good insulation properties which makes it a commonly used product in the construction industry. It can resist and provide a good insulating response against light transmission, heat, electricity and even sound transmission (if the glass is thick enough). You might have heard of interlayered glass or similar variants being used in construction as the glass pane’s thickness can be modified for effective insulation, unlike its stiffness and damping.
3. Strength
Appearances can be deceptive. Despite its glossy, high-end and fragile appearance, glass is quite durable and strong, thanks to the massive optimisation in its manufacturing process and the premium quality material used. Techniques such as etching, thermal strengthening and fibre reinforcement increase the glass’ deformation resistance under load so that it can be used as partitions, staircase, railings, etc without compromising the safety of the user.
4. Recyclable
Given the rapid deterioration of the environment, it is necessary to use environment-friendly products and the fact that glass can be recycled completely makes it a favourite among architects! It not only helps in creating new products without expending more resources but also helps reduce emissions.
5. Resistant to Fire and Chemical
Glass is highly resistant to chemicals and fire which means that it can not only withstand extreme weather conditions but can also be used abundantly in the construction of laboratories, research centres and other buildings meant to contain hazardous chemicals. Heat-treated glasses are also available in the market and are capable of preventing the spread of fire into other areas by trapping the smoke and toxic gases emanating from burned furniture and objects.
Types of Architectural Glass
Now that your curiosity is somewhat quenched, we will move on to the different kinds of architectural glass that are being commonly used by architects in construction these days. Companies like us (AIS) have been using state-of-art technology and optimised processes to make sure these glasses don’t lack appearance, strength or durability which makes them a great solution for all kinds of buildings, designs and infrastructure.
1. Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is made by bonding multiple layers of ordinary glass using a transparent and flexible material. It is widely used in architecture and can be used to create other types of glasses as well (like float, wired or toughened glass). Laminated glass can help block UV rays and sound transmission and is often used in the construction of bridges, aquariums, canopies, etc.
2. Energy-efficient Glass
Smart architectural designs not only look good but also help with energy efficiency and hence glass manufacturers like us (AIS) have also come up with energy-efficient glasses. It is made using glazing float glass and has a special coating on one side which allows solar energy to pass through while reducing the transfer of thermal energy in the other direction. This helps in regulating the temperature inside so that electronic devices don’t have to work overtime, thereby reducing carbon footprints and electricity bills.
3. Privacy Glass
Privacy glass is glass that allows you to change the transparency at the touch of a button. These can have many advantages when it comes to both commercial and residential buildings.
4. Tinted Glass
It’s no secret that tinted glasses are one of the top choices when it comes to the construction of commercial or residential spaces. These glasses are made by adding a certain type of ion to normal glass, which adds colour to it without affecting any other property of the glass. Tinted glasses can be used in the exteriors as windows, entrances, balconies, stairways, museums, exhibitions, and various other places. These not only add a personal touch to the space but also offer a greater sense of privacy even in commercial spaces.
5. Toughened Glass
Yet another commonly used glass is toughened or tempered glass. Even if you feel its primary job is to protect your phone’s screen, it is being used extensively in construction due to its superior strength and the ability to break down into safer pieces instead of large shards. It can also be coupled with laminated panels to make it more secure and safe for residential spaces. Be it shower pool fencing, kitchen splashbacks or shower screens, toughened glass has proved its usefulness effectively.
The list can be quite long but we have covered the most commonly used glasses so that you can start exploring in the right direction with the help of the information provided above. If you are looking to purchase premium quality glasses for designing your dream home or office space, then do visit our website to explore the countless options available so that you can design your space in the best way possible at affordable rates.