Types of Glass in Architecture  

Glass is one of the most enchanting materials humankind ever discovered in 500 BC. Even though it was considered to possess magical properties, it evolves to become one of the most versatile materials in the building industry. Its role in architecture keeps advancing over the years, and each of its materials serves a unique purpose. So let’s talk about different types of glass that are using in the building.

What Are Types of Glass Used in Architecture?

1. Fritted Glass

Fritted glass is becoming an increasingly popular glass type in the architectural industry. The glass is printing with ink that has ultra-small particles of ground-up glass, also known as frit. Its printing process involves the ink getting fuse into the glass.

Since the fritted glass printing design is typically part of the glass, it provides robust functionality. And durability performance meant for not only architectural designs but interior and industrial applications. 

Fritted glass gets produce by some digital printing methods and screen printing. Some of its applications include reducing cooling costs, give your exterior a distinct look, lower the danger to birds, reducing glare, etc.

2. Sheet Glass

Source: vitroglazings.com

The type of glass is manufacture by having glass molten and goes through rollers to achieve an almost flat finish. Nonetheless, these rollers do not leave the resulting sheets with any degree of distortion. 

This kind of glass can be cut through a glass cutter, meaning no special equipment is requiring. It is available in a wide array of standard sizes and applies in glazing greenhouses and environments where visual distortion is not a problem. 

3. Float Glass

Float glass also refers to as clear glass or soda-lime glass. It produces by annealing the molten glass onto a bed of molten tin, hence the name “float” glass. It gives a clear, distortion-free, and clear glass. 

Just like sheet glass, float glass does not require special equipment for cutting. A glass cutter can do the job just right. Float glass is available in varying ranges in terms of thickness and weight. 

Its application includes shop fronts, railing partitions, making canopies, glass blocks, and so on.

4. Laminated Glass

Source: mylaminatedglass.com

As the name implies, laminated glass is made by joining layers of ordinary glass within a protective, transparent, and flexible material. It gets produce by using other glass types such as wired and float glass. These maintain their original breaking attributes. 

Laminating glass is heavier comparing to usual glass and may result in optical distortions. It is tough and soundproof to a certain degree and protects from harmful ultraviolet radiation. That explains its application in making aquariums, glass facades, floor slabs, bridges, staircases, etc. 

5. Chromatic Glass

Chromatic type of glass can control the transparent efficiency to keep the interior from daylight.

The glass is available in three forms, namely: photochromatic- (has light-sensitive lamination), thermochromic- (glass gets layer using light and heat from the sun to lighten or darken the tint of the glass to reduce glare and improve energy-efficiency within the building), and electrochromic (utilizes liquid crystals and electronic control to change the amount of light that can get through a building.)

Chromatic glass use in the meeting rooms and ICU where privacy is essential.

6. Tinted Glass

Source: inhabitat.com

Tinted glass is typically colorful glass. Certain additions get to incorporate into the usual glass, which brings about colored glass. The color will not usually affect the original glass properties. For instance, Sulphur in varying concentrations can make the glass red, yellow or black. And copper sulfate turns the glass blue. 

Tinted glass application includes entertainment lighting, landscape lighting, and so on.

7. Toughened Glass

Also, refer as temper or safety glass, toughened glass is extensively using throughout the industry due to its ability to resist breaking. In case of the glass breaks, it does this in tinny and safer pieces, unlike large shards as in float glass. 

Toughened glass is mainly used in home interiors, for instance, kitchen splashbacks, glass balustrades, shower screens, and swimming pools. It can also get applies in laminated panels for added safety precaution.

Also Read: 5 Inspiring Architecture and Decor Ideas for Luxury Homes

8. Extra Clean Glass

Extra clean glass is photocatalytic and hydrophilic. That means that water moves over these glass types without leaving any marks, making them stain proof and with a beautiful appearance. The glass is also cover with nanoparticles that break and attack dirt, making it effortless to maintain and clean. 

9. Glass Block

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Also, refer to as glass bricks, glass blocks are made from two varying halves, pressed and annealed together while melting the glass. It is mainly used in the construction of skylights and walls. They give an aesthetic appearance when light passes through the glass blocks. 

10. Insulated Glazed Glass Units 

Also known as double-glazed units, this type of glass has glass separated into about two to three layers by vacuum or air. Insulated glazed glass units do not allow heat through. That is because the air between these layers acts as good insulators.