The correct choice of window glass and frame (or worse, lack thereof) can make or break the entire look and feel of your workspace. Every commercial space needs to represent the business’ theme and idea in the most accurate way possible and it can be done by choosing the right type of window glasses and frames.
Before finalizing the window glasses for your commercial space you need to know about the different types of glasses available in the market. A little research will help you install glasses that can provide privacy, complement the interiors and fulfil all your requirements without costing you a fortune. To help you save some time and effort, here’s a list of different kinds of window glasses that you can invest in.
Based on Appearance
Depending on the looks and purpose of the glass, you can choose between the following glasses:
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Clear or transparent glass
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Tinted or Coated Glass
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Insulated glass
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Frosted Glass
Windows not only increase the aesthetic value of a space but also make sure the space is well ventilated and bright. Transparent or clear glass not only allows natural light to come in but has several other benefits as well. It makes sure that the space remains naturally lit throughout the day and retains heat which can prove to be helpful during winters for keeping the area warm and comfortable. Moreover, it saves a lot on monthly electricity bills as you don’t need light fixtures during the daytime.
Premium quality transparent glass is energy-efficient and can be recycled so you won’t have to worry about harming the environment or the carbon footprint.
Glasses that have a film coating to give them a different shade are known as tinted glasses. Tinted or coated glass comes in various shades which allows you to pick the shade that goes well with the overall theme of your office. These are effective in blocking harmful rays of the sun, blocking the view from outside and providing privacy. Some tinted glasses even come with specific SPF to make sure you aren’t exposed to UV radiation while sitting by the window.
If purchased from an authentic seller, tinted glass can prove to be quite reliable and long-lasting so you won’t have to replace it quite often. Coated glass is energy-efficient as it helps with temperature regulation and reduces electricity bills by a significant amount.
If the space is located in areas with extreme weather conditions then you can probably opt for insulated glass. Double glazing glass (multiple panes with air or gas in between) help in decreasing heat transfer. This helps with regulating the temperature inside and also provides sound insulation so your conversations aren’t overheard by anyone.
The multiple layers make insulated glasses stronger, economical, robust and more durable than other alternatives.
Frosted glass has more or less the same properties as tinted glass. It adds to the elegance and style of space as it is aesthetically pleasing and can be a beautiful addition to any commercial space. Frosted glass is easy to clean and does not corrode or rust easily. Moreover, its textured surface prevents it from streaking and scratching.
Frosted glass not only provides privacy without blocking out natural light but also prevents the harmful rays of the sun from passing so you won’t have to install additional equipment to block UV rays. If properly sealed, it can help regulate the room temperature and reduce monthly bills as you won’t have to use excessive lights or heating and cooling devices.
Based on functionality
If you are more focused on the value that the glass provides, then here’s a list of glass that caters to specific needs like privacy, sound and heat insulation so your meeting rooms, cabin and office spaces are protected against break-ins, extreme weather conditions and other challenges without any hassles.
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Safety Glass
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Privacy Glass
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Heat-Reflective Glass
The top-most priority is to ensure that your space is secure and safety glasses focus exactly on that. You won’t have to worry about break-ins after installing safety glass in your windows as this is toughened glass that is designed to withstand heat and intrusion.
Safety glass is four to five times stronger than normal glass and the main reason why it’s called safety glass is that even when it breaks, the pieces aren’t sharp. They are blunt, small and pebble-like so no one is harmed.
Every commercial space needs a conference or meeting room that can be used to discuss crucial business-related matters without the fear of being overheard or any information being leaked out. Privacy glass aims to fulfil this need quite efficiently as it can partially or completely block out the interiors from the outsider’s view.
Tinted and frosted glass are categorised under privacy glass and they also add to the beauty of the interiors, thus killing two birds with one stone.
You can even opt for smart glass that allows you to switch between transparent and opaque glass with a single press of a button and enjoy privacy on demand!
Heat-reflective glass helps in the conservation of energy and light. This eco-friendly and economical glass allows light to pass through and only prevents UV rays from entering through the window so you can enjoy the sunlight without any worries. It also helps with the regulation of temperature so the air conditioner or central heating system doesn’t have to work overtime to ensure that the desired room temperature is maintained at all times. This reduces the power consumption, electricity bills and carbon footprint significantly.
There are countless types of glass that are available in the market in present times but all of these can be categorised into the above categories. The rapid advancement in technology is helping in eliminating the weakness that has been observed in the glass.
Be it tinted glass or smart glass, you can pick the glass that combines and addresses all your needs without burning a hole in your pocket!
Make sure to buy the window glass and frames from authentic sellers so you aren’t duped and don’t end up spending your hard-earned money on cheap imitations that can break easily and need constant replacement.