Tag: Glass for Construction

Posted on

Types of Glass Used in Construction

The Skyscraper Is In Qingdao China

Glass is one of the oldest and most reliable materials used in construction. Being introduced thousands of years ago, glass has remained as one of the most widely used materials around, being used in places and fixtures like windows, doors, and roofing. Over the years, glass has evolved into a very versatile material that can take many forms and shapes, and be used in a wide variety of applications. In the construction industry, glass is a fundamental material used along with steel, wood, and concrete.

Like metals, there are many different types of glass used for construction, all of which fulfill a purpose and need for each part of a project. Construction materials are required to be flexible and versatile, making glass ideal for a wide number of applications and functions.

 

What are the types of glass used in construction?

Glass comes in many forms in the construction industry, being the ideal material to use for windows, doors, and roofing. Glass is a reflective, transparent, and strong material that is easy to shape, allowing it to come in different types. With that in mind, here are some of the common types of glass used in the construction industry.

 

Shatterproof Glass

Shatterproof Glass

Used for windows, floors, and roofs, shatterproof glass is designed to withstand heavy impact. While it is able to resist breakage to a certain degree, shatterproof glass is also designed not to leave sharp edges on the occasion it breaks, making it one of the safest glass types to use in construction projects. Shatterproof glass is made through a layering process that combines polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), which gives it its strength and durability.

 

Float Glass

A very common type of glass used in places like malls, storefronts, and other commercial and retail establishments, float glass is one of the most reliable types of glasses around. Float glass is also a very sturdy material that can withstand a significant amount of impact. Depending on the need, float glass can come in different thicknesses ranging from 2mm to 20mm. It is also worth noting it is very transparent and has a lot of glare, which is why it is commonly used in different commercial areas.

 

Laminated Glass

Laminated Glass

If you are looking for a regular type of glass with extra strength, it is best to use laminated glass. Produced by combining different layers of glass together, laminated glass is used for areas that require a protective layer against UV rays and loud noises. These qualities make it an ideal material to use for large aquariums, staircases, glass facades in buildings, and bridges. Due to its layered nature, laminated glass is very heavy, and can cause optical distortions.

 

Tinted Glass

A colored variant of regular glass, tinted glass is mainly used for decorative purposes. This makes it a regular fixture in windows, doors and other locations where color is needed. Tinted glass is produced by adding coloring ions to the glass during manufacturing to add the desired color. Each ion provides a different shade of color, which means that some are combined together to form new shades. While different ions are composed of a variety of elements, they do not compromise the strength and quality of the glass.

 

Glass Blocks

Glass Blocks

Hollow in structure, glass blocks are produced by combined two halves of glass through a process called annealing while being melted to form the final product. Another type of glass used for decorative purposes, glass blocks are able to distort light going through, which provides an aesthetic effect.

 

Patterned Glass

Using glass provides many ways to create a wide variety of designs, and one type of glass that is known for its variety of designs is patterned glass. This translucent glass is produced by etching patterns on the surface to create a wide variety of designs. This type of glass can be used for decorative windows, balconies, bathroom walls and windows, and even on stairwells.

 

Chromatic Glass

Business Executives Discussing With Their Colleagues On Whiteboard

A glass type used to reduce and distort the light coming through, chromatic glass provides a protective layer in light-sensitive locations. Chromatic glass is produced using a lamination process that involves light and heat-sensitive layers of glass that gives its ability to distort light. This is a glass commonly seen in meeting rooms in offices.

 

Wired Glass

A type of glass that is lined up with mesh to prevent it from shattering under stress and pressure, wired glass is a type of glass used as a protective layer against fire and smoke. This makes it ideal for use as a glass fence in buildings.

 

Key Takeaway

When it comes to versatility, durability, and the ability to distort and reflect light, glass provides a protective layer for different kinds of buildings and facilities. Glass is an important material used in many forms in construction projects. By identifying different types of glass, you would be able to utilize them correctly.

Posted on

Uses of Glass in Construction

Uses Of Glass In Construction

What are the uses of glass in construction?

  1. Traditional form and function
  2. Application advancement
  3. Transparent uses
  4. Outlook
  5. The different types of glass

 

All glass and aluminum suppliers in the Philippines will tell you that glass is being used in the building industry, whether it’s used to make conventional windows or structural members in new-age buildings. Glass is used in construction and for architectural purposes in engineering. With so many different properties and uses, you can definitely say that glass can be just as great as aluminum and steel. Here are some of the uses of glass as an ideal material for construction:

 

Traditional Form and Function

A glass is described as a transparent, sparkling, delicate, and illustrative material. It is one of the most useful and most interesting materials with more applications and installation techniques that are constantly in development. Glass is used in various methods during construction projects with an exact form and type.

The most familiar glass forms are fiberglass products that are being used for insulation and translucent panels, transparent blocks, and windows. Another is glass insulation, and it is typically installed as loose particles blown into cavities and ceilings used as specialized equipment.

 

Application Advancement

Application Advancement

Glass in its solid, float manufactured state really shines in construction and it is constantly being used in more and more construction projects. However, it requires more advanced installation methods. Prefabricated structural fiberglass panels make use of interlocks and adhesives in achieving engineering performance like of steel and wood elements. There are a lot of installation methods that have improved as well, such as frameless glazing utilizes specialized adhesives to hold glass panels against structural supports in place without an exposed framework. This leads to a smooth and continuous effect on a lot of buildings exteriors, floors, and facades.

 

Transparent Uses

The main property of glass is transparency which allows the vision of the outside world through it. The transparency of glass can either be from both sides or from one side only. In the recent forms of recent construction techniques, glass has always been utilized in making beams and columns.

It does not only look dramatic but also has an attractive compression and strength to weight ratio. Glass achieves its strength when loaded in compression. Post-tensioning techniques are used to ensure the structural elements of glass bear compressive loads.

 

Outlook

Outlook

The developments in the glass sector are not all limited to its classic properties, whether its energy savings and solar protection, but it can also improve and change its stability and surface. As the product versatility for glass increases, so does the need for architects, engineers, and building owners to consult with a glass protector.

 

Glass for Windows and Facades

The primary use for windows is to supply natural daylight, fresh air, and provide protection from rain, cold, and wind. These purposes which are characteristic for windows can be mostly achieved by means of special multifunctional designs.

Sophisticated window and facade systems combine different technical demands with the creative freedom of planning. The potential of glass is not only for increasing in transparency and quality of living, but it can also emphasize the vitality of reflecting surfaces and the presence of structures.

 

Types of Glass Used in Construction

Let’s discuss some of the different glasses that are broadly used for construction:

Soda Lime Glass

Soda Lime Glass or Float Glass is a mixture of sodium silicate and calcium silicate. It is smooth at low temperature and it can be blown or welded easily when infusion condition. It is colorless and it is mainly used for window panes and for the laboratory tubes and other apparatus.

Potash Lead Glass

A type of glass with a mixture of potassium silicate and lead silicate. Its properties possess bright luster and great refractive power. It is mostly used in the manufacturing of artificial gems, electric bulbs, and lenses.

Common Glass

A mixture of sodium, calcium, and iron silicate. It is brown, green, and yellow in color and mainly used for in manufacturing medicine bottles.

Shatterproof Glass

It is used for windows, skylights, floors etc. Some type of plastic polyvinyl butyral is added in the making process so it cannot form sharp-edged pieces when it breaks.

Double Glazed Units

This type of glass is made by providing an air gap between two glass panes in order to reduce heat loss and gain. Normal glass can cause an immense amount of heat gain and 30% of the loss of heat or air conditioning energy. Green, energy efficient glass can reduce this impact.

Special Glasses

Some properties of glasses can be suitably altered by changing basic ingredients and adding a few more ingredients. It is now emerged as a versatile material to meet any special requirement in engineering.

 

Key Takeaway

Most glass and aluminum suppliers in the Philippines will tell you that glass is a great material to use for construction purposes. With different types of glasses, transparent uses, and properties, glass is definitely a great material to use for buildings and other construction purposes.