Guide For Architectural Glass Use In Home And Business

One of the best ways of improving the facade of a building, whether residential or commercial, is to use unique architectural glass. In addition to improving the appearance of a building, architectural glass also serves a structural function. Window and door glass can also be referred to as architectural glass. Usually, the larger the sizes of glasses used on windows and doors, the more the light that gets into the house or business premise. Glass Express stocks, installs and repairs all kinds of architectural glass.

Types of Architectural Glass

1. Laminated Glass

This type of glass is made by bonding at least two pieces of glass with an interlayer under intense pressure and heat. The end result is stronger architectural glass that does not shatter when broken. The glass used in homes, business premises and offices are usually laminated glass for safety reasons. Laminated glass usually forms a spider web pattern when broken.

2. Crown Glass

This is the oldest type of glass, which is rarely used today except for restorations and traditional constructions. Crown glass was made by spinning hot glass on a flat surface. The end result was a round, flat piece of glass, which was cut into a square or rectangular shape before it cooled. The center of this type of glass had a bullseye pattern. Some property owners usually order colored crown glass or bullseye glass as a centerpiece in the exterior facade of their property.

3. Rolled Plate Glass

This is also known as cathedral glass. This type of glass has elaborate patterns on one or both sides. The patterns are created when hot molten glass is passed in between two rollers, one of which has the desired patterns. In some cases, both rollers can carry the pattern. In case only a single side of the glass is patterned, the other side can be laminated to create a safety glass, which is crucial because cathedral glass is normally used in churches and community halls where many people congregate. This is a safety measure to ensure the glass does not shutter and cause serious injuries.

4. Polished Glass

This type of glass was made by cooling molten glass in a mold. When cooled, the glass had visual distortions and had to be ground down to create a more even surface. The flat glass sheet was then polished to improve the clarity of the glass. This method was popular until an inventor invented a process of creating glass sheets using rollers.

5. Tempered Glass

This is also known as heat-treated or heat-strengthened glass. The surface of the glass is heated to compress the surface. This means that the surface of the glass is hardened, but the edges still remain weaker. Tempered glass can resist impact up to a certain level. However, the glass can easily shatter if hit on the edges. While the glass may be strong, it can still shatter and break into small sharp pieces.

6. Chemically Treated Glass

Heat treatment is known to improve the strength of glass, but it’s not the only method of strengthening glass. Chemical treatment is one of the most effective ways of strengthening glass. However, even the strongest glass can still shatter on impact, creating a safety concern. Fortunately, lamination can be done when a safety glass is required.

7. Insulating Glass

This is one of the most popular types of glass used today. Two layers of glass are separated by a spacer and the space sealed after sucking out the air to create dead space. This type of glazing is best used where acoustic and thermal insulation are required.

There are many types of glasses in existence, and they all come in different dimensions and thicknesses. Expert glaziers can manufacture, size and install different types of architectural glass. Whatever your needs may be, it is recommended you look for the best glazier to help you find the most suitable glass for your unique needs. Below are key factors to consider when comparing glaziers:

i) Experience

The best glaziers usually have many years of experience in the industry. They have been around for a long time and have handled many glazing jobs. With experience comes competence, so it is recommended you compare the experiences of the shortlisted glaziers and give special consideration to the most experienced firms.

ii) Reputation

Glaziers that have consistently been offering quality services to both residential and commercial clients usually have high ratings and a lot of testimonials. They also have plenty of rave reviews. By doing some background research on the reputation of the shortlisted firms, it should be easy for you to identify the most reputable glazier for your needs.

iii) Cost

Affordability is a key factor of consideration. You are looking for an affordable glazier, so you have to compare the rates quoted by the top glaziers. After that, you can be able to make an informed decision. That said, cheap can be costly in the long run, so you should be willing to spend a little bit more money to get better-quality products and services.

iv) Guarantees

Only glaziers that offer long-term warranties and different types of guarantees on the quality of their service should get special consideration.