Architect’s Guide for Glass Glazing
Introduction:
Glass glazing is a fundamental element in contemporary architecture that significantly impacts the appearance, practicality, and eco-friendliness of structures. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of glass, their variations, and the essential glazing assemblies used in architectural applications. From traditional clear glass to advanced switchable glass technology, this blog offers valuable insights to architects seeking guidance in designing exceptional building assemblies.
1. Basic Glass Types(Clear Glass):
Window and sheet glass are types of flat glass products that are commonly used for windows and glazing purposes. These are created through either a horizontal or vertical draw process and are slowly annealed to produce natural flat-fired, high-gloss surfaces.
Float Glass: Have you ever heard of float glass? It's a special type of glass that's made by floating molten glass on top of molten metal, usually tin. This process creates a perfectly smooth and flat surface with a consistent thickness. It's no wonder that float glass is a popular choice for many different architectural projects.
Plate Glass: Plate glass is a flat glass that is made by rolling molten glass into a plate and then polishing both sides. It is thicker and heavier than float glass and is typically used for mirrors and large glass panels.
2. Variations of Basic Glass:
Patterned Glass: Patterned glass is a type of glass that has decorative patterns or textures on one or both surfaces. Its main purpose is to provide privacy, diffuse light, or add aesthetic interest to architectural spaces.
Wire Glass: Wire glass is a type of fire-resistant glass that has wire mesh embedded within it. This type of glass provides greater resistance to both fire and impacts, which makes it ideal for areas that require fire protection.
Obscure Glass: Obscure glass is specifically meant to prevent visibility while still permitting the transmission of light. You can find it in bathrooms, partitions, and other areas where privacy is essential.
Reflective Glass: Reflective glass, also referred to as a one-way mirror or tinted glass, has a metallic coating that reflects a considerable amount of light and heat. It offers daytime privacy while enabling outward visibility.
Low Emissivity Glass (Low-E Glass): Low-E glass is coated with a thin metallic layer that reflects heat while still allowing light transmission. This helps to reduce heat transfer, making it energy-efficient and improving thermal insulation.
Heat Strengthened Glass: Heat-strengthened glass is processed by heating and then cooling it gradually to improve its strength compared to standard annealed glass. This results in improved resistance to both thermal stress and impacts.
Tempered Glass: Safety glass, otherwise known as tempered glass, is made stronger through a process of controlled heating and rapid cooling. If it breaks, it will shatter into smaller, less dangerous pieces, reducing the risk of injury.
Spandrel Glass: Spandrel glass is a type of glass that is opaque or tinted and is utilized to hide building components like columns, floors, or HVAC systems behind the facade made of glass. It offers a consistent and uniform look to the exterior of the building.
Sound Control Glass: Sound control glass is a specialized type of glass that reduces noise transmission by incorporating acoustic interlayers or laminates. It aims to create quieter interior spaces by blocking or absorbing sound waves.
Laminated Safety Glass: Laminated safety glass comprises two or more layers of glass that are joined together with an interlayer, usually composed of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This type of glass offers increased safety, as the interlayer ensures that the glass remains in place even if it shatters.
Security Glass: Glass designed for security purposes is specifically created to resist forced entry, impacts, or bullets. It usually consists of several layers of glass and interlayers, which enhances its ability to withstand attacks or intrusions.
Switchable Glass: Switchable glass, also known as smart glass or switchable film, is a particular type of glass or film that can alter its transparency or opacity in response to an external stimulus. This feature allows for the control of light and heat passing through the glass, offering benefits such as privacy, reduction of glare, and energy efficiency in various applications. Switching between transparent and opaque states grants further advantages of privacy, light control, and energy efficiency. Additionally, this innovative technology is ideal for creating dynamic and captivating advertising displays while still maintaining the functionality of the building's glass surfaces.
3. Glazing Assemblies:
Glazing assemblies are complete systems or configurations that are used to install glass panels into frames or structures. They include various components, such as sealants, gaskets, framing systems, and hardware. These components ensure that the glass is installed correctly and performs well.
4. Insulated Glass Units (IGUs):
Double or triple-glazing systems, known as Insulating Glass Units (IGUs), comprise of multiple glass panes that are separated by an air or gas-filled space. The space between the panes is sealed to provide thermal insulation, reducing heat transfer. IGUs are beneficial for improving energy efficiency, sound insulation, and condensation control in buildings.
Glass edge or glass seal unit: These seals can either be made from alum, stainless steel, or composite spacer (also called warm edge spacers) these structure the gas space and contain a desiccant for mitigating humidity within the unit. These spacers are bonded to the glazing typical with polyisobutylene (PIB).Selection of spacers which meet the project's needs is an important component of glazing thermal performance.
Conclusion:
With this comprehensive guide to glass glazing, architects can make informed decisions when designing building assemblies that incorporate various glass types and glazing techniques. From traditional options like float and tempered glass to cutting-edge technologies like switchable glass, each variation brings unique advantages to architectural projects. By choosing the most suitable glass glazing solutions, architects can create buildings that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also energy-efficient, safe, and comfortable for their occupants.
Written by D.TO: Design TOgether
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