How is Architectural Glass Manufactured?

Architectural glass incorporates a wide array of glass products and glazing solutions for homes and offices. As a result, it can be used in diverse applications. The article below will provide you with a list of the various types of architectural glass and its applications.

Glass has helped in the evolution of modern architecture. This is because of the advancement of glass properties that make it highly functional and enhance aesthetics. This has helped in constructing beautiful designs that are safe, strong and will last for years.

Architectural glass:

The wide range of architectural glass such as clear glass, float glass, laminated glass, smart glass, etc. can be installed to create a striking balance using natural lighting. Architectural glass will help reduce energy costs, offer better safety and privacy, and comfort. It will also help you reduce noise to a large extent.

Step 1: How is it made?

Glass is manufactured in the following four steps:

Melting and refining:

The following ingredients are checked for quality and then mixed to make a batch.

· SiO2 — Silica Sand

· Na2O — Sodium Oxide from Soda Ash

· CaO — Calcium oxide from Limestone / Dolomite

· MgO — Dolomite

· Al2O3 — Feldspar

Once the ingredients are mixed, they are passed in a furnace which is heated up to 1500 degree Celsius.

Step 2: Float bath:

Once done, glass from the furnace gently flows over the refractory sprout at temperatures at 110 degree Celsius. It then leaves the float bath as a solid ribbon at 600 degree Celsius.

Step 3 — Coating:

In this process, the cooling ribbon of glass is passed through a process known as Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). This process is used coat the glass in a variety of ways as required.

Step 4 — Annealing:

As the ribbon of glass cools, considerable stresses are developed. By passing it through the annealing process, such internal stresses are easily removed.

Step 5-Inspection:

High-quality inspection is performed after every stage. However, at the end, automated online inspection is performed that reveals process faults that can be rectified. With the advancement of technology, automated online process now permits 100 million inspections per second to be made across the ribbon, tracing flaws that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Types of architectural glass:

Let us take a look at some of the popular types of architectural glass. This will help you get a better understanding of the properties and its functions:-

Clear float glass:

This glass comes in high-quality and has a precise flatness that ensures 100% distortion-free vision. The glass also has a clear finish that ensures perfect clarity of vision. Float glass is highly popular when it comes to the furniture, table tops, automobiles, shop windows and other architectural exterior and interiors.

Glass processes such as glazing, laminating, enameling, printing, sandblasting and other processes can be easily carried out on clear float glass.

Tinted glass:

Installing this glass will help absorb energy from solar radiation, thus cutting down the amount of sun’s heat by around 30% to 45%. As a result, you can enhance your aesthetic appeal, comfort and lessen the cooling load on air conditioning. This glass is highly flexible and can be used by architects and designs to create a soothing environment that will reduce harmful UV radiation.

Solar control Glass / Ecosense:

In case you are looking for a solution that is highly advanced, Ecosense is a smart choice. The glass provides customers with the perfect balance between energy-efficiency, day-lighting. If you happen to live in unique Indian climatic conditions, you will need more cooling than heating. This glass can also be used for brighter and cooler space. Not only that, it will reflect a large amount of infrared heat with ease.

Frosted glass:

With this glass, you can achieve privacy or aesthetic appeal. Due to this, it is used in both residential and commercial applications such as doors, interiors screens, false ceiling, bannisters, stairs, bathroom doors, windows and roofing.

Smart glass:

This type of revolutionary glass is also known as Swytchglas. It combines the power to control privacy with the flick of a switch. You can also reduce the lighting, block UV rays, and air conditioning costs with ease. Interested customers can choose from a wide variety of colour tints of glass. You can consider using this glass for walls and partitions, windows and skylights, conference rooms, hospitals, salons, spaces and other venues.

Tempered glass:

Glass at times can break and cause harm to your loved ones, especially children. However, by installing tempered glass, it breaks into small blunt pieces. This glass is also tough and durable and retains the light transmission. Tempered glass can be used for shelves, shower enclosures, wash basins, canopies and balustrades.

Besides the above, there are other types of glass such as supersilver glass, sunshield glass, lacquered glass, laminated glass and other variants that can be used to achieve the perfect balance between the interiors and exteriors.

Applications of architectural glass:

Due to its many properties, glass is a magical material that can be used for various applications. Architectural glass such as clear glass, smart glass, frosted glass and other types can be used for office buildings, high-rise apartments, schools, hospitals, libraries and government buildings.

With the right provider, these glass types can be purchased as per your requirements. You can get glass that is thicker, larger in size. Not only that, you can be purchase them in colours such as royal blue, cool green, golden bronze, pearl grey, white gold, aqua blue and so on.

Conclusion:

Now that you are aware of the various types of architectural glass, make sure to choose them wisely for your homes or offices. Choosing the right glass will ensure maximum comfort, peace of mind, energy-efficiency and much more.