What Is Glass?
Important Point
Glass, with its different types of glass material, is generally the oldest material and fancy material which is used in the building industry and for other purposes. Glass is generally installed to enhance the beauty of the structure and provides a premium look.
Glass is also a fascinating material among people since its discovery. Glass is basically a hard material that is transparent in nature. Glass is formed by providing heat to quartz or sand; glass is also an inorganic material.
Glass is a glazing material that is the first choice for architects for new and unique design & beautiful outlook. Glass is the most versatile material which is used in the construction industry.
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Types of Glass Used in Construction
When we explore how many types of glass are available, we find that there are 10 types of glass and more that are available in the marketplace. Specifically, for types of glass in construction, there are 11 main types. Those properties are as follows.
- Float Glass.
- Sheet or Flat Glass.
- Shatterproof Glass.
- Laminated Glass.
- Energy-efficient Glass.
- Wired Glass.
- Chromatic Glass.
- Tinted Glass.
- Toughened Glass.
- Extra-clean / Self-cleaning Glass.
- Glass Blocks.
1. Float Glass:
Float glass is also a very popular glass type that is widely used for construction purposes. Float glass is made of sodium silicate and calcium silicate.
This type of glass is also known as soda-lime glass. The float glass is termed float because of the manufacturing process as molten glass will float on the molten tin bed.
This process provides us with smooth, clean, flat, distortion-free glass. Float glass does not need to be cut with any kind of special cutters. This type of glass is available in different thicknesses, which are 2 mm to 20 mm.
The weight of float glass is nearly 6 kg to 36 kg. This type of glass is installed in the window openings, in front of shops, and also in public places.
2. Sheet or Flat Glass:
Sheet glass is a type of glass that is widely used for construction purposes. Sheet glass is produced in a special method; at the first molten glass is passed through the rollers to receive a flat and neat surface finish glass.
No special type of equipment is required to cut the flat glass; it needs only a glass cutter to cut the flat glass. Sheet glass is available in the marketplace in different price ranges and different sizes and thicknesses.
The cost of this glass is comparatively lower than other types of glass, and distortion is also less in this type of glass; for this reason, flat glass is used in the glazing greenhouses. Flat glass is also used in domestic windows, doors, etc.
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3. Shatterproof Glass:
Shatterproof Glass is a modern type of glass that is used in different places now. Shatterproof Glass is used to resist the shattering shock. This type of glass does not break into pieces.
In the time of preparation of Shatterproof Glass, we add some other thing termed as plastic polyvinyl butyral resin, which prevents the glass from forming any kind of sharp pieces.
The cost of shatterproof glass is a little bit higher than the other type of glass. Shatterproof Glass is generally used in floors, windows, skylights, etc.
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4. Laminated Glass:
Laminated glass is trendy nowadays, and this glass is prepared by ordinary glass layers, which are ordinary and flexible materials. Laminated glass is made with three or layers of ordinary glass layers.
Laminated glass can resist UV rays which are very harmful to people. Laminated glass can resist sound; so, it is used as a soundproof material.
This type of glass is used in bridges and aquariums because it has sound resistance properties. Laminated glass is the best material for build canopies because it can reduce harmful rays.
Laminated glass is prepared with two toughened glass which is laminated in the middle portion. The cost of this type of glass is moderate, and it is available in the market in 6 mm toughened/2.28 mm toughened/5 mm toughened.
5. Energy-Efficient Glass:
Energy-efficient glass is a special type of glass that is widely used nowadays. Energy-efficient glass is used as building material which is manufactured by glazing float glass which has a thin coating on one side of this type glass.
The price of this type of glass is very high. The energy-efficient glass allows passing the solar energy in one direction. Energy-efficient glass also allows the transfer of heat energy in one other direction.
This type of glass also requires highly skilled laborers, which is another reason for the price hiking of this glass.
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6. Wired Glass:
Wired glass is a shining example of modern technology. Wired glass is a type of glass that is prepared with wire mesh. In the time of preparation of wired glass, a wired mesh is provided in the middle portion of the structural glass.
The main purpose of providing the wire mesh is to hold the whole glass together and resist it from breaking or cracking. Wired glass is available in a large span because the wired mesh protects that large span.
The wired mesh also protects the wired glass from breaking into small pieces. This type of glass is available in the market as clear or obscured. Wired glass is used in the industrial areas and the garage areas.
7. Chromatic Glass:
Chromatic glass, often questioned as what is chromatic glass, is a special type of glass that is used in the ICUs and the meeting rooms. Chromatic glass is used in various applications due to its unique properties.Chromatic glass has a special ability to protect the interior portion from daylight.
The price of this type of glass is higher than other types. Sometimes, chromatic glass maybe have electric lamination (electro-chromatic). Chromatic glass also has thermo-chromatic (as heat-sensitive lamination) and photochromic (has light-sensitive lamination).
8. Tinted Glass:
Tinted glass is a very well-known and popular glass, and it is widely used all over the world. Tinted glass is basically colored glass that is mainly used in buildings.
In the time of preparation, we add some special type of iron in the glass mix to get those different colors in the tinted glass. The main advantage of using this glass is it looks very attractive and colorful, and the color does not affect the property of the glass.
Tinted glass is used in the windows, roofs, etc. At the time of manufacture, we added iron oxide to get green color in the tinted glass and added sulfur to get blue color.
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9. Toughened Glass:
Toughened is a type of glass that is used in general industrial areas. Toughened glass is the most potent glass which is used in the construction industry.
This type of glass is used to resist breaking; that’s why It is termed tempered or safety glass. In the time of breaking, it does not break into smaller pieces like ‘safer,’ but it breaks into larger pieces like a float glass.
Toughened is generally used in interior places like the kitchen because it has good resistance properties. This type of glass is also used in the glass balustrade, swimming pool fencing, and shower screens. Sometimes, toughened glass is used in the laminated panel. The price of toughened glass is also higher than ordinary ones.
10. Extra-Clean / Self-Cleaning Glass:
Extra-clean or Self-cleaning Glass is a new type of glass, which is not used frequently in the previous time. Extra-clean or Self-cleaning Glass has a hydrophobic and photocatalytic type of nature.
The hydrophobic and photocatalytic property makes the self-cleaning or extra clean glass a stain-proof material. Extra-clean or Self-cleaning Glass is very attractive to look at, and it is easy to maintain.
11. Glass Blocks:
Glass block is a very well-known and popular material. Glass blocks are manufactured in two different types, one is solid, and another one is hollow.
Glass blocks are generally manufactured into two separate halves; when the glass is molten, then two halves are pressed together. Some vacuum portion is still there in the portion of joining.
Hollow glass wall blocks are generally allowed to access the sunlight into the inside portion of the building. Highly skilled laborers are needed to install the glass blocks, that’s why the price of this is also a little bit high.
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Qualities of Glass
There are generally five engineering properties of glass, and those properties ensure the use of glass for construction purposes. Those properties are as follows.
- Transparency: The main property of using glass is transparency. Because of this, we can able to see from inside to outside. Transparency also allows us to see from outside to inside; so, it is a two-way process, and sometimes it also acts as a mirror; that time, you can only be able to see from one side.
- Workability and Recycle property: Glass has excellent workability, and it is molded into different shapes and sizes. Glass is also a 100% recyclable material, and it is used as a raw bacterial of construction.
- Strength: Glass is naturally a brittle material, but if we add some admixtures and laminates, then the strength of glass will increase. The strength of glass is measured by the modulus of rupture value.
- Transmittance: Transmittance is the property of glass by which a visible fraction of light passing through the glass.
- U value: U value is the property of the glass, which refers to how much heat is transferred through the glass. Generally, insulated glass particle shows lower U value because the insulation is not the conductor of heat.
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Advantages of Glass
When discussing the advantages and disadvantages of glass, we find that there are many advantages of using glass in construction. Those properties are as follows.
- Good Transparency: One of the best transparent materials is glass which allows passing the light, and the objects behind the glass are visible clearly. The main advantage of using glass is you can connect the outer world visually. If the door and windows are closed, then the glass allows to enter the light and saves the energy of electricity.
- Waterproof and Dustproof: The advantage of using glass is it’s waterproof. It saves all the things behind the glass from the water. Another advantage of using glass is it’s dustproof. Due to its smooth surface, it becomes dustproof and easy to clean, and easy to maintain.
- Availability of color: Glass is available in a wide range of colors in the market. If you combine the glass sheet in the insulated or laminated units, it changes the color and enhances the beautiful appearance. Generally, laminated glass is made with a wide variety of colors, and it shows different lighting effects.
- Recyclable: Another advantage of using glass is it is recyclable, so you can save energy. It is also a cost-effective process and also reduces water pollution and air pollution. Glass material is fully recyclable, and after the recyclable process, the quality and purity have remained the same as the previous one.
- UV stable: Glass can resist UV rays, and it is free from disintegration and discoloration. This is another advantage of glass.
- West and Rust Resistant: Glass is anti-corrosive material among all the building materials, and glass is rarely attacked by some chemicals. Glass is totally weather-resistant, and it helps to resist wind, sun, rain, etc.
- Easily Moulded: Glass is prepared by applying heat to the sand; it is a transparent material that is remolded into different shapes. The glass is prepared into different shapes for using different places like building windows, building doors, shop fronts, workshops, etc.
- Electricity insulation: Glass material is a good insulator and resists conducting electricity; so, it can protect you from all types of electrical damages. For this unique property, glass is used in wall light decoration, ceiling light formation, and other electrical applications.
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Disadvantages of Glass
While there are numerous types of glass and uses, each with its unique properties, there are also some disadvantages to consider. Those properties are as follows.
- Higher Cost: The manufacture of glass is a very costly process because it requires a high temperature for processing. Using glass increases the total cost of the building, and it also reduces the privacy of the building because it is transparent in nature.
- Brittleness of Glass: Another disadvantage of glass is it’s very brittle in nature. Glass is rigid and stiff then applying loads of glass will break down without showing any significant strain. The broken glass piece is very harmful and dangerous.
- Low Impact Resistance: Glass is very weak in impact load; it suddenly collapse without showing any type of failure signs after applying impact loads.
- Corrosion Due To Alkali Solution: Glass is highly sensitive to alkaline ions. Alkali corrosion takes place in the glass.
- Unsafe for an earthquake: In earthquake-prone areas, the buildings are specially designed for lateral loads and movements, but glass can not take those types of movements. So, it will break down easily.
- High Maintenance Cost: In dust and humid areas, dust particle sticks with the glass and then it will be very difficult for maintenance.
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What Is Beveled Glass?
Beveled glass is usually made by taking a thick glass and creating an angled surface cut around the entire periphery. Bevels act as prisms in sunlight creating an interesting color diffraction which both highlights the glass work and provides a spectrum of colors which would ordinarily be absent in clear float glass.
Is Beveled Glass Better?
Beveled glass mirrors highlight both the mirror and the frame and are generally better quality than plain glass mirrors. Because the mirror features a bevel you’ll often find that the glass used in a bevelled glass mirror is also thicker, adding to the weight of the mirror.
What Does Beveled Glass Look Like?
Beveled glass is a piece of glass or mirror that has a consistent tapered edge cut all around its border. The interior area of the glass remains the same thickness while the tapered edges create a frame-like appearance. The edges can be left unpolished or they can be polished to give the piece a smooth look.
Is Beveled Glass Clear?
In addition to both having textured glass, most beveled and leaded glass windows use clear, or colorless, glass instead of stained glass. This makes them a little bit easier to work in with different styles of home decor and architecture.
What Is Beveled Glass Used For?
Beveled glass has many uses. It is used in doors, mirrors and furniture. Its use on doors is common and where a door may have an intricate design etched or cut on it by adding a plain bevel to the edge it leaves an attractive finish all round. Many mirrors are surrounded by ornamental framework.
What Is Etched Glass?
Etched glass can be made by sandblasting, acid etching, using glass etching cream or even mold etching, where a mold is made with the design or image created in relief and molten glass is poured into the mold and left to cool.
How Can You Tell If Glass Is Etched?
You can perform a simple test to see if your dishes are etched or if they are simply coated with mineral & soap build up. Put some lemon juice on a small area of the effected glassware & allow it soak for 5-10 minutes then wash it off. Allow the glass to dry.
What Is the Difference Between Cut Glass and Etched Glass?
One big difference between cuttings and etchings is the cuts are usually not uniform depth; they will be shallower on the edges and deeper in the middle. Etching is done by allowing acid to dissolve glass and the glass is dissolved at the same rate.
Is Etched Glass Expensive?
While etched glass can be very beautiful, the beauty comes with a price. Costing as much as $125 per square foot, etched glass may be impractical for all but a very few installations.
Can You Fix Etched Glass?
While filming deposits residue on the surface of the glass, etching pits and damages the surface. There is no way to fix an etched glass or remove the etching. Once the damage occurs, it’s permanent.
What Is Leaded Glass?
Lead glass windows have been a British staple in architecture for well over a thousand years. leaded glass windows are a popular alternative to stained glass window styles, a popular choice for traditional casement windows engineered in uPVC and timber. They were invented before industrial window-making processes, So This kind of window is a trusted glass feature of choice.
What Is the Purpose of Leaded Glass?
Leaded glass is a variety of glass that contains lead instead of calcium, and in past decades, it was a popular material used to create decorative vases and bowls as well as crystal glasses and decanters, she explains.
How Can You Tell If Glass Is Leaded?
Lead crystal is generally easily identified; all you need is a fingernail or metal utensil. Tap your nail or a fork against the edge of the glass. If it clinks, it is glass, but if it rings, you have a crystal. Generally, the longer the ring, the higher the lead content.
Is Leaded Glass Safe?
When lead crystal beverage containers are used in an ordinary way, they do not pose a health risk! Therefore, food or beverage consumed from crystal glassware are completely safe! You can safely use your crystal stemware and barware to serve wine, water and other beverage.
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What Is Glass Made Of?
The glass most people are familiar with is soda-lime glass, which is a combination of soda, limestone, and sand. Although you can make glass simply by heating and then rapidly cooling silica, the manufacturing of soda-lime glass is a little more complex.
What Is Murano Glass?
Murano glass is created only on the island of murano, located within the borders of the city of venice in northern italy. Murano’s special glassblowing process is over a thousand years old, having been re-discovered by the local artisans from the ancient roman glassware at the end of the first millennium and continuously developed and enhanced upon ever since.
What Is So Special About Murano Glass?
As mentioned above, what makes Murano glass so special is its history and methods of creation. It is world-famous for its unparalleled quality, exquisite range of colours, and not to forget the unsurpassed craftsmanship.
Is Murano Glass Expensive?
Authentic Murano Glass prices range from very affordable small jewelry that is under $20 to extremely expensive art glass pieces which run into thousands of dollars.
Is Murano Glass Heavy?
Murano glass has been made for more than 1,500 years. Production has been concentrated on the island off Venice called Murano since the 13th century. Although it appears light and airy, the best quality glass is actually quite sturdy and heavy. When buying lamps, be sure they have some weight to them.
What Tempered Glass?
Tempered or toughened glass is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Tempering puts the outer surfaces into compression and the interior into tension.
What Is Real Stained Glass?
In real stained glass the color is created by adding metal compounds or oxides while it is still in a molten state for example cobalt for blue, sulfur and cadmium for yellow, iron oxides for greens and browns. Real stained glass will never fade. Stained glass can be opaque or translucent and a dozen stages in between.
What Is Stained Glass Made Of?
At its most basic level, a stained glass project consists of pieces of glass whose edges are joined together in some manner. There are two common materials used to join glass –copper foil and lead. With each, the glass edges are held in a channel that conforms to the shape of the piece.
What Is Blown Glass Used For?
Glass blowing is a glass forming technique that humans have used to shape glass since the 1st century B.C. The technique consists of inflating molten glass with a blowpipe to form a sort of glass bubble, that can be molded into glassware for practical or artistic purposes.
What Is Fusible Glass Used For?
Fused glass is used to fabricate plates, tiles, bowls, jewelry, wall hangings, and other artistic creations. You only need a kiln and a few simple tools to create a finished fused glass piece.
What Is Crystal Glass Used For?
The most common uses of lead crystal glass are drinking glasses, ornaments, decanters, jewellery, optical lenses, enamels and lacquers, glass sealants and solders, and radiation shielding from gamma and x-rays.
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