How to Choose the Right Glass for Your Projects

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Town House in Antwerp / Sculp[IT]. Image © Luc Roymans

Today, improvements in glass processing technology have enabled a range of advanced solutions for architectural projects. With the array of options available, it's crucial to research the specific properties of different glass products. What should you consider when choosing glass for a project? How can aesthetics align with functionality and efficiency? We consulted experts at Cristales Dialum to explore the complexities of selecting the best glass for your projects, ensuring optimal results for your clients.

The Basics: Dimensions and Types of Glass

Glass panels are typically sold at a standard size of 2.5 x 3.6 meters. From this size, the glass can be cut to meet a project's specific requirements. The glass options range from basic colorless panels to those with enhanced thermal, visual, and acoustic qualities.

Jumbo glass panels, measuring around 5.0 x 3.0 meters, are a less common but viable option. At Dialum's state-of-the-art processing plant in Santiago, Chile, panels as large as 6.0 x 3.3 meters can be produced, covering nearly 19 square meters and weighing almost a ton.

Panels exceeding 4.5 meters wide and 2.5 meters high may be classified as monumental glass.

Monumental Glass

Primarily used on first floors, reception areas, or lobbies, Dialum's Monumental Panels offer seamless results due to their size. The choice of frames is crucial to support the panels' weight without overwhelming the structure. While aluminum is a commonly used material due to its cost-effectiveness, larger panels may require steel reinforcement for added stability.

Metallic Frameworks

Wood was the initial material used in carpentry, but steel became preferred in the 20th century during industrialization and Rationalism. Despite the emergence of PVC and aluminum technologies, steel remains highly favored today for its strength and durability. Jansen's steel frameworks combine classic aesthetics with modern style, offering robust support for large glass installations while maintaining a streamlined appearance.

Steel's welding capacity eliminates jointed unions, preventing issues like bending and shifting, thus allowing for more complex designs.

How to choose the most efficient glass fixtures for every project

First, it's crucial to identify the realistic needs of the project. While adding every possible feature to your windows may seem advantageous, it often proves to be an unnecessary and costly approach.

A recommended strategy is to seek integrated solutions that address the primary environmental conditions, such as intense sun exposure or severe cold.

The Importance of Double-Paned Glass in Every Project

Double-paned windows are fundamental for ensuring the thermal efficiency and sun protection required by a structure, particularly based on its location and orientation. For specialized applications, monolithic glass fixtures can be used, provided they undergo thermal treatment.

Solar Protection

Glass Selectivity

Solar rays emit both heat and light energy. In regions with strong sun exposure, it's essential to prevent the structure from overheating while allowing natural light. Glass selectivity is key in this scenario, filtering specific percentages of light and heat. The more selective the glass, the more light, and less heat it allows, significantly reducing cooling costs.

Thermal Protection

Double-Paned Glass

In cold climates, it's vital to retain heat within the structure. Heat typically escapes through windows, so choosing efficient double-paned glass windows can halve heat loss, saving up to 50% in energy costs. More advanced options, like Low-E glass with low emissivity, can save up to 80% on energy costs.

Acoustic Protection

Polyvinyl Panes

In noisy environments, double-paned glass is effective against high-frequency sounds. Adding acoustic Polyvinyl panes can further protect against low-frequency noises. Widening the space between the panes can significantly reduce outside noise in extreme cases.

Anti-Theft Protection and Security

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass, consisting of two panels with a plastic film between them, provides enhanced protection against vandalism. Breaking through requires dismantling both glass panels and the plastic film, making it ideal for skylights or roof windows.

Glass floors often require multiple laminate layers to support foot traffic.

Mechanical Resistance and Reheating

Tempered Glass

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Thermal treatments like tempering or heat-strengthening can increase glass' mechanical resistance up to five times that of non-treated glass. This is ideal for doors subject to constant force. Tempered glass also withstands high temperatures and heat damage, making it suitable for buildings with significant sun exposure.

Solar Control and Design

Screen Printing / Digital Printing

Surface printing applies a paint layer that permeates the glass through heating. This can enhance the glass's appearance or improve solar performance. For example, adding white points can create shaded spots inside the structure. Double-point techniques can be used in light shafts to reflect sunlight while maintaining visibility.

Analyzing each project's specifics ensures effective glass fixture results. In high towers, builders often combine Double-paned, laminated, and tempered glass solutions.

Fire Resistance

Fire Resistant Glass / Firewall Glass

There are two types of fire-resistant glass: one that stops fire and toxic gases, and another that also prevents temperature increases. The latter acts as a barrier, absorbing heat to prevent fire spread for a specific duration (F30, F60, F90, F120).

Important Considerations

The Importance of Norms and Regulations

Regulations provide guidelines for correctly executing processes, whether manufacturing products or designing and constructing buildings. These guidelines prevent arbitrary decisions.

Different countries have respective regulatory bodies, such as IRAM in Argentina, NCH in Chile, EN in Europe, and ASTM in the US. These regulations detail every aspect of design and construction, with certifications available for products meeting international standards, like ANSI SGCC for laminated glass and IGCC for double-paned glass.

If unsure about the applicable regulations, referring to those in Europe or the US can ensure the efficacy of chosen solutions. Reviewing the technical specifications of selected products and seeking support from supply specialists is also essential.

Key Recommendations for Design

• Trust specialists' assessments: As architects, we're not necessarily glass experts. Choosing the wrong solution could lead to long-term issues like high air conditioning costs.
• Understand the project and glass characteristics: Consider factors like location, orientation, function, and specific hours of use.
• The larger the glass, the wider it should be: Alternatively, ensure it has necessary treatments for mechanical resistance.
• Validate the glass's appearance post-installation: Specific conditions can alter the glass's appearance and behavior.

* Dialum's plant in Santiago, Chile, is certified to process various glass types and import from worldwide. Discover their products in the following links:

ACRYLIC GLASS FOR PICTURE FRAMING

Clear, smooth acrylic for picture framing is indistinguishable from glass in a frame, and it’s half the weight of glass and shatter-resistant. For this reason, it is the first choice of many framers. Framing 4 Yourself offers regular, non-glare, or UV protective acrylic glass options, so every framing job is covered.

Our acrylic glass for picture framing is perfect for protecting your most treasured memories.

WHAT DOES ACRYLIC GLASS DO?

Acrylic glass is used widely in picture framing as a substitute for glass. Favored for its lightweight and shatter resistance, acrylic glass is safer to work with and less prone to breakage.

The primary purpose of acrylic glass is to protect artwork, photography, and prints from various environmental factors, including temperature changes, moisture, pollutants, and touching.

Another benefit of acrylic glass is that it’s less susceptible to breakage during the shipping process due to its shatter resistance. In contrast, glass frames are more likely to break during transport.

Framing 4 Yourself’s collection of acrylic glass glazes works to keep your framing projects safe without sacrificing quality.

FRAMING 4 YOURSELF’S ACRYLIC GLASS FOR PICTURE FRAMING

With three different types of acrylic glass for framing, Framing 4 Yourself has everything you need to complete your framing project.

CLEAR ACRYLIC

Our most economical option, Framing 4 Yourself’s clear acrylic, is also the most traditional option as it looks just like glass (albeit lighter and shatter-resistant).

While it filters out more than 50% of UV radiation, clear acrylic glass is the best option for reproducible art such as posters, digital photographs, or art prints in open-ended editions.

NON-GLARE ACRYLIC

Non-glare acrylic is treated with a light surface etch that eliminates glare. Not incredibly popular amongst framers for its cloudy nature, non-glare acrylic still filters out more than 50% of UV radiation.

Non-glare acrylic glass is perfect for posters, digital photographs, or art prints in open-ended editions if placed in direct sunlight.

UV PROTECTIVE ACRYLIC

Framing 4 Yourself’s UV protective acrylic provides an extra measure of protection for treasured art that is likely to increase in value over time. Because UV rays cause art to fade or yellow over time, this protective acrylic keeps your framed memories safe.

Choose UV Protective Acrylic if you’re framing original art, limited prints, or signed prints that you want to hold onto for an extended period.

WHAT ACRYLIC GLASS SHOULD I BUY?

If you’re unsure which acrylic glass works best for your framing project, all you need to do is answer these three questions.

ARE YOU FRAMING A POSTER, DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPH, OR ART PRINT?

Regular acrylic glass provides a clear, protective coating for posters, digital photographs, and art prints that’ll work great and not break the bank.

IS THIS FRAME GOING TO BE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT?

If the frame is in direct sunlight with a glare, choose our Non-Glare Acrylic Glass, as it prevents unwanted rays from affecting the ability to see your framed projects.

IS YOUR ART GOING TO INCREASE IN VALUE OVER TIME?

For more valuable art projects, protecting them from the elements is key which is why we suggest going with UV Protective Acrylic, that’s great for original pieces and limited prints.

NEED MORE HELP WITH ACRYLIC GLASS?

Framing 4 Yourself’s acrylic glass supplies you with the necessary tools to protect and sustain your framed works. Whether you’re a museum or a home-design enthusiast, our wide selection has something for everyone.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website clear ceramic glass.