Glazing technology has definitely come a long way and this method was used to create large panels by holding together multiple small panels to form windows. It took about centuries to develop a process necessary to produce glass without any imperfections and there were more decades added before structural glass could get any significant importance.
Today, the world is filled with office buildings and skyscrapers with facades made mostly entirely of glass and there are also glass bridges which are built that are safe to walk on. This is only possible due to technological advances such as structural glazing to produce structural glass. Well, what is structural glass and where is it commonly used? If you are also curious about these questions then here is a blog detailing everything about structural glass and what are the advantages of structural glazing.
What is Structural Glass?
When put in simple terms, structural glazing refers to the glass that is used in the design of a building. This involves large glass panels that often bear weight to the structure and also includes the frameless sliding doors which consist of high-strength, load-bearing glass floors. In other words, there are various types of walls or floors that consist of glass that are bonded or anchored back to the structure without having to use aluminium pressure plates or caps.
A structural floor is designed such that it can easily withstand a walk-on load across the surface whereas a frameless glass balustrade installation is designed in such a way that it can withstand the required line load in a perpendicular direction.
No matter what the use or purpose of a frameless glazing element, correct structural engineering, fixing details, and glass specification are essential while ensuring the installation is secure and safe. Any company that is going to undertake an architectural glass installation should have a proven and self-evident history regarding the completion of high-quality architectural glass projects before they are assigned any job.
Structural Glass use in Architecture
When it comes to structural glass use there can be many ways in which it can be utilised. Whether it is a traditional home or a modern building, you would still need structural glass use in some parts of the home. Well, if you are wondering in which ways you can use structural glass in your architecture projects here are a few ways listed out that can change the entire look of your project.
Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding doors are one of the most effective ways to create a seamless practical and visual bond between the exterior and the interior part of the structure. They are not just elegant and secure but also provide one of the most aesthetically striking ways in which you can create an access point to the entry and exit of a commercial property or a home.
Glass Roofs
A glass roof is one of the ideal ways in which you can flood the interior of a space with a lot of natural light which is also one of the most important benefits of structural glazing. Roofs can be an opening or they can also be fixed and they can also be completely frameless which offers a totally unobstructed view of the sky above.
Glass Walls
With the help of structural glazing, there is no limit when it comes to the size of a glass wall which means that you can extend the glass structure to an entire wall. These are quite attention-grabbing structures that can highly elevate the aesthetic of a property and turn it into a modern luxurious space.
Glass Extensions
When you combine a number of structural glass installations such as roofs, sliding doors, and walls it is possible to design an entirely new section of the property that will serve as structural glass extensions to your original home. This is a wonderful way in which you can expand the available space in your home along with a lot of benefits of structural glass.
Minimal Glass Windows
Sometimes the humble window is all you need for designing a room. With structural glazing though you can decide on the design and the style of a glass window that can be completely transformed as compared to the traditional style. Minimal glazing can also be utilised to create windows with frames that are almost invisible.
Advantages of Structural Glazing
Like any building technique or material, there are a lot of advantages of structural glazing. One of the significant advantages of structural glazing is that it can be deployed in various challenging locations that are stated to be unsuitable for glass or regions that are highly prone to earthquakes and need strong glass to hold the structure. Apart from this main advantage here are a few others that might amaze you.
Better Connectivity with the Natural Environment
The massive panes of glass with structured glazing make it possible for occupants in the buildings to have a more intimate relationship with their natural surroundings while also being protected from the elements that might cause harm.
Insulation along with Energy Efficiency
Technology advancements have helped the insulating properties of structural glass. We now have thermal glass which controls the solar heat gain while maintaining a comfortable ambient temperature. The silicon that is used to connect the glass panels also consists of benefits such as a lack of exposed exterior metal which also reduces the amount of thermal bridging. Also with double and triple glazing one can improve the thermal performance for colder climates.
Increased Presence of Natural Light
More the natural light the better the interior would look while also saving a lot of energy. This can be done by using massive swathes of glass which also provides unobstructed sightlines which wouldn’t have been possible without strengthened glass. Natural light also has a lot of positive effects on health and also other applications.
Architectural Flexibility
No matter if you are using structural glass fixtures or large glass walls, they can add a wonderful design flare to any project which is often deployed to help remediate older or heritage buildings. The versatility of load-bearing glass also opens up various architectural options to create unique and massive glass structures or features.
Structural Glass Design Example
Structural glass is mostly used in constructing curtain walls for skyscrapers. Glass facades however have also become one of the most famous parts of city centres around the world. Structural glass also provides these towering structures a sleek and seamless look while also providing adequate insulation and protection from external elements. Here are a few real-life examples where structural glass is used.
The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, New York
Positioned right at the centre of the General Motors Plaza, this 32-foot glass cube is both an entrance to the store along with being an icon in itself. Entirely free of structural steel, the cube is itself a self-supporting structure. As an entry, this precise cube floats over the plaza with a glow of activity rising from above. Visitors are drawn to this cube with a glass elevator and a spiral glass staircase that wraps around it. Throughout the store, there is also a sense of lightness where daylight pours in which creates a soft ethereal glow.
The Louvre Pyramid, Paris
The Louvre Pyramid in Paris is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. This Glass pyramid was opened to the public in 1989 where about 10 million visitors come every year. While the initial structure was planned with transparent glass, it was hard to find clear glass since it had a faint bluish or greenish tint. This is why a French manufacturing company named Saint-Gobain created a new glass named Verre Diamant. This was a 21,5 millimetre extra clear laminated glass.
There are about 1,800 square meters of glass in the pyramid which consists of 675 rhombus-shaped glass segments apart from also having 118 triangles. All of these rest on a structure that is composed of 6,000 metal bars while also bearing the total weight of the Glass pyramid which accounts for 200 tons.
The Burj Khalifa, Dubai
It is quite an understatement if we say that Burj Khalifa represents a state-of-the-art design. Right from its initial concept through completion there has been a combination of several technologies and innovative structural designs being included. As for the exterior cladding, there has been the usage of reflective glazing with aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrel panels. Close to about 26,000 glass panels, each individually hand cut, have been used for Burj Khalifa. And there were over 300 specialists that were involved in making this. The curtain wall of Burj Khalifa can be compared to 17 football fields. It has also been designed in such a way that it can withstand high Dubai summer heat.
The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum located in Bilbao is a masterpiece of architecture. It was designed by Frank Gehry and is a work of art that stands out from other buildings in the city. The unique architecture is what invites thousands of visitors every year. The design consists of a series of interconnected volumes. These volumes are covered with orthogonal coated skin and some with organic skin with a titanium skeleton. There is also a glass skin attached that connects all of these volumes.
The Glass House, Connecticut
The glass house located in Connecticut was built by Philip Johnson. This house with its own perfect proportions and with simplicity is considered to be one of the most brilliant works of modern architecture. The house encompasses 18-foot-wide floor-to-ceiling sheets of glass between black steel piers and stock H-beams that have anchored the glass in place. Apart from this the house also consists of brilliant features, such as the clear glass panels which create a series of lively reflections along with those of surrounding trees and people walking inside or outside the house.
Conclusion
Structural glass in itself is an innovative building material that takes advantage of all that modern technology has to offer. The specially reinforced glass which is used is strong enough to walk on and bear its own weight. Not to mention how the flexible silicon adhesive provides a smooth aesthetic and seamless feel without any need for framing. So if you are also wondering whether to get structural glass for your household, well, now you might have found your answer!
FAQ’s
- How does structural glass differ from conventional glass in architecture?
Structural glass can be defined as a building material whereas conventional glass is much more commonly used for decorative purposes.
- Can structural glass be customised to fit specific architectural designs?
In terms of customization, structural glass can provide endless opportunities/ It can be designed to fit any shape and size or can even be printed with images or patterns which adds a unique touch to the space.
- Can structural glass be used in earthquake-prone regions?
Laminated glass performed really well when it comes to earthquake-prone regions because the plastic interlayer tends to hold most of the glass fragments from cracking and reduces the potential of it falling down.
- How do engineers ensure the safety and durability of buildings with extensive structural glass components?
While the use of structural glass for architectural designs is actually great not just for aesthetics but also for durability ensuring its safety is important. This is why architects usually need to meet the strict DIN and EN requirements that are assigned by law to ensure the stability and safety of the structure.