GLASS : A BUILDING MATERIAL

INTRODUCTION
GLASS IS AN AMORPHOUS (NON-
CRYSTALLINE) SOLID WHICH IS OFTEN
TRANSPARENT AND HAS WIDESPREAD
PRACTICAL, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND
DECORATIVE USAGE IN THINGS LIKE
WINDOW PANELS, TABLEWARE, AND
OPTOELECTRONICS. THE MOST FAMILIAR,
AND HISTORICALLY THE OLDEST, TYPES
OF GLASS ARE BASED ON THE CHEMICAL
COMPOUND SILICA (SILICON DIOXIDE),
THE PRIMARY CONSTITUENT OF SAND.

GLASS HAS BEEN A FASCINATING MATERIAL TO HUMANKIND SINCE IT WAS FIRST MADE IN ABOUT 500 BC.
AT FIRST THOUGHT TO POSSESS MAGICAL PROPERTIES, GLASS HAS COME A LONG WAY. IT IS ONE OF THE
MOST VERSATILE AND OLDEST MATERIALS IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY. FROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS
A WINDOW PANE IN LUXURY HOUSES OF POMPEII TO SOPHISTICATED STRUCTURAL MEMBERS IN NEW AGE
BUILDINGS, ITS ROLE IN ARCHITECTURE HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS.
BRIEF HISTORY

ARCHITECTURAL GLASS IS GLASS THAT IS USED AS A BUILDING MATERIAL. IT IS MOST

TYPICALLY USED AS TRANSPARENT GLAZING MATERIAL IN THE BUILDING ENVELOPE,
INCLUDING WINDOWS IN THE EXTERNAL WALLS. GLASS IS ALSO USED FOR INTERNAL
PARTITIONS AND AS AN ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE
 FLAT GLASS HAS BEEN USED AS AN ENCLOSING ELEMENT FOR APPROXIMATELY 2,000 YEARS AND IS THUS ONE OF
THE OLDEST MAN–MADE BUILDING MATERIALS.
 BEFORE INDUSTRIALIZATION, FLAT GLASS WAS PRODUCED, E.G., BY MEANS OF MANUAL METHODS SUCH AS
CASTING OR CYLINDER TECHNOLOGY.
 THESE WERE REPLACED BY SHEET GLASS AND PLATE GLASS MANUFACTURING METHODS, WHICH WERE USED UP
UNTIL THE 1960S. MACHINE METHODS HAD THE DISADVANTAGE OF DISTORTION AND WAVINESS.
 IN THE EARLY 1950S, THE ENGLISH COMPANY PILKINGTON BROTHERS DEVELOPED AN INDUSTRIAL SOLUTION FOR
PRODUCING HIGH QUANTITIES OF LARGE GLASS PANES OF A CONSISTENT HIGH QUALITY AND AT A RELATIVELY
MODERATE COST, WHICH WAS AN ALMOST ENTIRELY AUTOMATED FLOAT GLASS MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
 AS A RESULT OF THE OIL CRISIS IN THE LATE 1970S, THE GLASS ARCHITECTURE AT THAT TIME WAS SUBJECT
TO INCREASING CRITICISM. UNCOATED FLAT GLASS WAS CONSIDERED A WASTE OF ENERGY.
 INTERPANE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST COMPANIES TO SUCCESSFULLY MARKET NEUTRAL HEAT PROTECTION
COATINGS. ONE EXAMPLE IS "IPLUS NEUTRAL" (SINCE 1982): IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE FIRST COLOR-
NEUTRAL THERMAL INSULATING GLASS IN GLASS HISTORY.
 THE KEY TO SUCCESS WAS A SPECIAL SILVER COATING. THIS TECHNOLOGY IS NOW THE BASIS FOR THE
MANUFACTURING OF HIGH-QUALITY THERMAL INSULATING GLASS.
TYPES OF GLASSES
FLOAT GLASS
SHATTERPROOF GLASS
LAMINATED GLASS
EXTRA CLEAN GLASS
CHROMATIC GLASS
TINTED GLASS
TOUGHENED GLASS
GLASS BLOCKS
GLASS WOOL
INSULATED GLAZED UNITS
INTRO
FLOAT GLASS IS
MADE OF SODIUM
SILICATE AND
CALCIUM SILICATE
SO, IT IS ALSO
CALLED AS SODA
LIME GLASS. IT IS
CLEAR AND FLAT
SO, IT CAUSES
GLARE. THESE
GLASSES ARE
AVAILABLE FROM
2MM TO 20MM
THICKNESS
RANGES. THEY
HAVE A WEIGHT
RANGE OF 6 TO 36
KG/M2. THESE ARE
USED AS SHOP
FRONTS, PUBLIC
PLACES ETC.
INTRO
TOUGHENED
GLASS IS STRONG
GLASS WHICH
HAS LOW
VISIBILITY. IT IS
AVAILABLE IN ALL
THICKNESSES AND
WHEN IT IS
BROKEN IT FORMS
SMALL GRANULAR
CHUNKS WHICH
ARE DANGEROUS.
THIS IS ALSO
CALLED AS
TEMPERED GLASS.
THIS TYPE OF
GLASS IS USED
FOR FIRE
RESISTANT
DOORS, MOBILE
SCREEN
PROTECTORS ETC.
INTRO
THERE
AR
E SEVERAL
VARIETIES OF
OBSCURE
GLASS, BUT IN
GENERAL IT IS
ANY TYPE OF
ROLLED GLASS
THAT HAS A
PATTERN
EMBEDDED
INTO ITS
SURFACE.
PATTERNS
CAN VARY,
AND PEOPLE
TYPICALLY USE
THE GLASS AS
A FORM OF
DECORATION.
OTHER
TYPES
OF OBSCURE
GLASS
INCLUDE
PAINTED AND
LAMINATED
GLASS.
INTRO
WIRE GLASS IS A
COMMON SIGHT
IN SCHOOLS,
BUSINESSES,AND
HOTELS ACROSS
THE NATION. IT IS
MANUFACTURED
PRIMARILY AS A
FIRE RETARDANT,
WITH WIRE MESH
INLAID IN
THE GLASS TO
PREVENT IT FROM
SHATTERING AND
BREAKING OUT
UNDER STRESS
OR WHEN
EXPOSED TO
HIGH
TEMPERATURES.
INTRO
LAMINATED GLASS
IS THE
COMBINATION OF
LAYERS OF
NORMAL GLASS.
SO, IT HAS MORE
WEIGHT THAN
NORMAL GLASS. IT
HAS MORE
THICKNESS AND IS
UV PROOF AND
SOUNDPROOF.
THESE ARE
USED FOR
AQUARIUMS,
BRIDGES ETC.
INTRO
REFLECTIVE
GLASS IS
ESSENTIALLY
ORDINARY
FLOAT GLASS WIT
H A METALLIC
COATING THAT
CUTS OFF SOLAR
HEAT. THIS
SPECIAL METALLIC
COATING
ALSO
PROVIDES A ONE-
WAY MIRROR
EFFECT,
PREVENTING
VISIBILITY FROM
THE OUTSIDE
AND THUS
PRESERVING
PRIVACY. REFLECT
IVE GLASS IS
USED PRIMARILY
FOR STRUCTURAL
FAÇADE GLAZING.
MIRRORED GLASS
 TO PRODUCE MIRRORED GLASS, A METAL COATING IS
APPLIED TO ONE SIDE OF THE GLASS. THE COATING IS
GENERALLY MADE OF SILVER, ALUMINIUM, GOLD OR
CHROME.
 FOR SIMPLE MIRRORED GLASS, A FULLY REFLECTIVE
METAL COATING IS APPLIED AND THEN SEALED WITH A
PROTECTIVE LAYER.  TO PRODUCE "ONE-
WAY" MIRRORS, A
MUCH THINNER METAL
COATING IS USED, WITH
NO ADDITIONAL
SEALING OR OTHERWISE
OPAQUE LAYER.
 MIRRORED GLASS
IS GAINING A
MORE PROMINENT
PLACE IN
ARCHITECTURE, FOR
IMPORTANT
FUNCTIONAL REASONS
AS WELL AS FOR THE
AESTHETIC EFFECT.
 SHATTERPROOF GLASS
SHATTERPROOF GLASS IS USED FOR WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS, FLOORS
ETC. SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC POLYVINYL BUTYRAL IS ADDED IN ITS
MAKING PROCESS. SO, IT CANNOT FORM SHARP EDGED PIECES
WHEN IT BREAKS.

INSULATED GLAZED UNIT

INSULATED GLAZED GLASS UNITS CONTAINS A GLASS IS
SEPARATED INTO TWO OR THREE LAYERS BY AIR OR VACUUM.
THEY CANNOT ALLOW HEAT THROUGH IT BECAUSE OF AIR
BETWEEN THE LAYERS AND ACTS AS GOOD INSULATORS. THESE
ARE ALSO CALLED AS DOUBLE GLAZED UNITS
 GLASS
AS
LANDSCAPING
MATERIAL
GLASS MULCHES
 Vibrant colors that won’t fade or need
replacing
 Glass mulches are a unique, low-
maintenance alternative to traditional
bark or gravel mulches
 Environmentally-friendly, green
landscaping
 Adds beauty and character to any
outdoor entertainment area

 Clean alternative to logs or lava rocks

 Lasts a lifetime without ever burning,
melting or discoloring
 Enhance your backyard landscape
 Customize your fire pit to compliment
your taste
GLASS USED IN PAVEMENTS
GLASS AS SCULPTURES
 DIFFERENT USES
 SUPPLY OF NATURAL DAYLIGHT
 PROTECTION FROM RAIN, WIND, AND COLD
 TRANSPARENCY OR TRANSLUCENCY
 MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
 HEAT PROTECTION
 SOUND PROTECTION
 OBJECT AND PERSONAL PROTECTION
 FIRE PROTECTION
 TEMPORARY HEAT AND SOLAR PROTECTION
 USE OF SOLAR ENERGY
 MEANS OF DESIGN
 ELECTROMAGNETIC DAMPENING.
 GLASS AS A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT

STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES ARE MOST EASILY

CATEGORIZED BY THE STRUCTURE TYPES THAT
SUPPORT THEM.
 STRONG BACK
 TRUSS SYSTEMS
 CABLE TRUSS
 GRID SHELLS
 CABLE NET
 GLASS FINS
GLASS FOR GREEN BUILDINGS
 REFLECTIVE GLASSES COME WITH REFLECTIVE COATING THAT FILTERS HEAT AND LET OPTIMUM
LIGHT INTO THE BUILDING.
 REDUCE THE HEAT GAIN INSIDE THE BUILDING, AND THUS REDUCES ELECTRICITY AND COOLING
COSTS
 ALLOW OPTIMUM LIGHT (NATURAL DAYLIGHTING) INSIDE THE BUILDING, AND THUS REDUCES THE
COST FOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
• The glass that absorb, refracts or transmits light. It can be made transparent or translucent so it adds extraordinary beauty to the
building.
• Glass transmits up to 80% of available natural day light in both directions without any yellowing, clouding or weathering.
• The glass is fully weather resistance so it can withstand the effects of the wind, rain, or the sun and can retain its appearance and
integrity.
• Glass does not rust so it does not degrade gradually by chemical and surrounding environment effects.
• Glass has a smooth glossy surface so it is dust proof and can be easily cleaned.
• Glass allows natural light to enter the house even if doors/windows are closed so thus it saves energy and also lowers the electricity
bills, brightens up the room and brings out the beauty of the homeland most importantly it boosts the mood of occupant.
• It is an excellent insulator against electricity.It is impossible to conduct an electric current under the influence of an electric field.
• Available in varieties of colours and when we combine the glass sheet in laminated or insulated units, they change in colour and
appearance.
• Glass is 100% recyclable and it does not degrade during the recycling process, hence it can be recycled again and again without loss
of quality or purity.
• The glass is excellent abrasion resistant so it will resist surface wear caused by flat rubbing and contact with another material.
• It is unaffected by noise, air, water and most of the acids hence discoloration, alteration in the degree of shine, softening, swelling,
the detachment of coatings and blistering will not occur. Glass also protects against outside barriers.
• Glass has the ability to make the structure look more stunning, sophisticated and adds beauty to the building. It is used to achieve
the architectural view for external decoration.
• When used in the interiors, glass saves space.
DISADVANTAGES
• Manufacturing of glass is high energy consuming process due to high temperature required for processing the raw
materials, and it is expensive material and ultimately increases the cost of a building.
• The glass is very rigid and brittle materials so when it is subjected to stress, it breaks without significant (strain).
Broken pieces of Glass may be sharp and chances of injury are very high.
• The glass is less impact resistant so the capability of the glass to withstand a suddenly applied load is very poor.
• The glass is affected by external hydrofluoric acid hence sometime etching is appear on glass surface.
• The Glass is affected by alkalis ions. Alkali solution simply dissolves a glass surface and as long as the supply of
alkali is sufficient, this type of corrosion takes place at a uniform rate.
• Glass offers superior transparency of heat hence it is to be balanced with its relatively low R-value (energy saving).
R-value is considered as one of the most important factors for insulating.
• Use of glass also enhances the cost of security.
• The glass is also unsafe for earthquake proven area. Unfortunately, there is no such Glass as an earthquake proof
material but costly treatment makes them withstand against earthquake.
• The glass is poor in terms of heat preservation, leading to higher costs in the operation of air-conditioners.
• Though many feel that once you provide glass in a building façade, you are free from painting expenses for ever
but this is not fine. You may have to spend equally for cleaning of glass. Sometimes it is as costly as expose
painting. Again, you may paint building once in a 5 years but for glass you have to clean every year.
• Glass absorbs heat and hence act as a greenhouse and hence not suitable in warm and hot climates. It will increase
A\C load and more energy consideration for air conditioning.
• Glare is a major problem in glass façade building.
SIGNIFICANCE
GLASS IS THE DOMINATING MATERIAL IN MODERN DAY
ARCHITECTURE WHICH PLACES OPTICAL EMPHASES AND
PROVIDES FOR NUMEROUS TECHNICAL FUNCTIONS.
THE GLASS INDUSTRY OFFERS GLAZING WITH INDIVIDUAL
TECHNICAL FEATURES THAT CAN BE USED FOR HEAT, SOLAR, OR
SOUND PROTECTION, AS DESIGN COMPONENTS, SAFETY GLASS,
OR AS A PART OF BUILDING DESIGN SYSTEMS.
GLASS IS NO LONGER JUST A FILLER ELEMENT, BUT IS RATHER
NOWADAYS ALSO USED FOR SUPPORTING OR ENVELOPING
PURPOSES.
THE MAIN FOCUS IN BUILDING IS USUALLY ON SAVING ENERGY,
ESPECIALLY IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES OF INCREASING PRICES
FOR ENERGY AND RAW MATERIALS. GLASS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT
ROLE IN IT. HENCE PROMOTING THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY.
 CONCLUSION
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME,
GLASS HAS ACQUIRED A
SPECIAL STATUS AS A
SIGNIFICANT BUILDING
MATERIAL. APART FROM
BEING
VARIOU A
FORMS BUILDING
ALSO
MATERIAL IT IS USED
S IN IN THE
BUILDIN QUALITY
TO ENHANCE
FURNITURE,
G ELECTRI
E. THE
APPLIANCES
OVERA G. CAL IN
ITEMS.
LL AN DECORATI
VARIOUS
D
TECHNOLOGICAL VE
INNOVATIONS HAVE MADE IT
A PREFERRED CHOICE
FO
R ARCHITECTS AND
DESIGNERS TO PROMOTE
SUSTAINABILITY IN BUILT