The type of glass used in a building determines its aesthetics, energy efficiency, and functionality. There are multiple types of glass available for use in commercial settings.
Understanding the functionality of each glass type can help you choose the right option for commercial glass replacement. Here are the options for glass used in commercial settings:
Energy Efficient Glass
Commercial facilities looking to improve their building’s comfort and energy efficiency can benefit from energy-efficient glass options like low emissivity (low-E) glass and insulated glass. Low-E has a metal oxide coating that minimizes heat transfer through windows and blocks harmful UV rays.
Blocking UV rays protects your artwork, carpeting, and furniture from fading. Minimal heat transfer improves your building’s energy efficiency by reducing your dependence on your HVAC system and makes your indoors more comfortable.
Insulated glass panes have multiple glass layers with a spacer between each layer. Manufacturers seal the glass layers together, creating an insulating airspace that glass manufacturers often fill with air, argon, or krypton gas. Insulated glass provides superior sound and thermal insulation.
The multiple glass layers add to the glass’s strength and durability, making it an excellent option for industrial and commercial glass replacement.
Safety Glass
Safety glass is a glass option designed to be resistant to breakage and less likely to injure someone if it breaks. Tempered and laminated glass are common types of safety glass. Glass manufacturers make tempered glass by heating regular glass and then cooling it down rapidly.
The heating and rapid cooling changes the glass’s molecular makeup, making it more resistant to breakage than standard glass.
Tempered glass is safer than regular glass when it breaks. Instead of shattering into sharp shards, it fragments into tiny, pebble-like pieces that are less likely to hurt someone. The glass is also heat resistant, making it ideal for commercial buildings like restaurant settings.
Privacy Glass
Tinted and coated glass are quality privacy glass options for commercial buildings. Glass manufacturers add colorants to tinted glass, giving it a distinct shade, while coated glass has a special coating on its surface.
The tint or coating in privacy glass reduces the glare from the sun by reflecting the sunlight or absorbing it. This glass type improves energy efficiency in commercial buildings by reducing the heat and light entering the building.
Frosted glass is another excellent privacy option. Glass makers use sandblasting or acid etching techniques to turn transparent glass into frosted glass. This glass type is translucent, allowing light to pass into the building while obscuring visibility.
Security Glass
Security glass is a bulletproof option that is ideal for commercial buildings like banks and high-end jewelry stores where security is paramount. Many government buildings also have bulletproof glass on their windows for extra security.
This glass type comprises multiple layers sandwiched together, with a tough layer on the outer side and a softer polycarbonate layer on the inside. The multiple layers make the glass more resistant to shattering. When hit by a bullet, the hard outer layer in bulletproof glass absorbs the force, reducing the bullet’s ability to penetrate the glass.
Get Commercial Glass Replacement Services
There are numerous glass options available for use in commercial spaces offering advantages like energy efficiency, privacy, safety, and security. When getting commercial glass replacement services, evaluate your needs to make sure the glass meets your needs. You can also consult your commercial glass specialist on the best glass for your building.
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