How to Choose the Right Glass for Your Project

With recent advancements in glass manufacturing, from 3D printing to Corning’s Fusion Glass, there’s an endless variety of glass types available, all of which offer unique benefits for a versatile range of architectural needs. 

As the range of choices expands throughout the years, from OLEDs to float glass, understanding the distinct qualities and potential impacts these glass types can have on your project is key, particularly with facades, partitions, and skylights.

So, the question becomes, what factors should you weigh when selecting glass for an architectural project, and how do you balance visual appeal with practicality and performance? 

Let’s dive in and find out! 

The 8 Main Types of Architectural Glass

Architectural glass comes in many shapes and sizes, and each type is made for a relatively specific purpose. Let’s look at what each of these types are and how they are utilized depending on their components.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass consists of multiple bonded layers with an internal layer, typically either ethylene-vinyl acetate or polyvinyl butyral.

If you need additional security or sound reduction, it’s a perfect choice! 

Decorative Glass

Any glass that has been painted. stained, frosted, or engraved falls under the umbrella of decorative glass. It’s often used as an aesthetic improvement in architecture, especially when there are specific tastes and design motifs you’re attempting to reflect. 

Float Glass

Sometimes referred to as ‘flat glass,’ float glass is a uniformly thick glass that is made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal. It’s often used as the base for other types of glass on doors, windows, and mirrors. 

Tempered Glass

One of the strongest types of glass on the market, tempered glass is made by heating float glass at high temperatures. You’ll often find it on shower doors and windows. Because of the unique way that it disintegrates into smaller pieces if broken, it’s far less likely to harm someone in a disastrous event than standard glass, which would break into large, fragmented shards. 

Coated Glass

If you want to enhance energy efficiency in your building, coated glass is an excellent option. With one or more layers of metallic compounds added to modify its optical and thermal properties, architects often use it with the intention of controlling heat and light.

Double-Glazed Glass

Any glass where a space separates two panes of glass using gas, such as argon, is referred to as double-glazed glass. It’s the perfect choice for when thermal insulation and mitigating heat transfer is key. 

Taking that concept even further, some manufacturers make triple-glazed glass for added, long-lasting security. 

Low-E Glass

Low-emissivity or ‘Low-E’ glass uses a microscopically thin coating that reflects heat while allowing light to pass through, making it perfect for climate control. In fact, it can filter anywhere from 40% to 70% of heat that would normally pass through a standard window. 

Low-E glass differs from coated glass in that it separates in that it separates light and heat, offering protection beyond heat reduction and solar radiation absorption. 

Smart Glass

Lastly, we have smart glass, which is any type of glass that utilizes light transmission properties that change depending on light, heat, or voltage. Some of the main types of smart glass include thermochromic, electrochromic, and photochromic, which are excellent for privacy control, solar control, and dynamic light/heat control. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Glass

Now that you have an understanding of the different types of glass available let’s look at a few key factors to consider when choosing the right one for your project. 

Performance Requirements

One of the main concerns people have when building in either the residential or commercial sphere is thermal efficiency. Better insulation properties equate to a more comfortable and cost-friendly living or working experience. 

Low-E glass is an excellent choice if you want to optimize your building’s energy efficiency, especially if you live in a region with an extreme climate. 

Next, consider the acoustic properties of your glass and how it performs in noisy environments. This is especially key in urban centers. With its natural interlayer, laminated glass offers incredible sound-dampening properties.

Lastly, we have safety and security concerns, which can be mitigated with either laminated glass or tempered glass. These types of glass are excellent in areas that are prone to break-ins or accidents. 

Aesthetics

Finding the balance between functionality and looks is equally important. Another essential factor to consider would be the glass’ aesthetic. How would it look like and at the same time, would it still retain its efficiency? . 

There are several characteristics to consider here. Some of which are color, transparency, texture, and reflectiveness. For example, tinted glass is excellent for spaces that would otherwise suffer from glare. On the other hand, reflective glass can significantly alter the exterior of a building for a sleeker, modern style. 

Environmental Impact 

With a greater push toward sustainability in the construction industry, many people are looking for ways to minimize their environmental impact when building. 

Consider looking to manufacturers who use sustainable materials and practices.

You should also consider the local climate when selecting the appropriate type of glass. In a hotter climate, for example, look for glass with a high solar gain coefficient. On the other hand, in a colder climate, the best type of glass is that with higher thermal insulation properties that retain heat.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right glass for your building project can be an overwhelming process, especially with so many considerations to make. Beyond choosing the best type of glass for your project, make sure that it fits within your budget and meets regulatory requirements. 

Advantage Drafting is a top commercial glazing firm with hundreds of clients across the United States. If you’re looking for expert guidance to bring your next architectural project to life, we can offer our many years of expertise and ensure your project runs smoothly with the right glass solutions. 

Get in touch with us today for a free consultation and quote.