Structural glazing is a type of wall system made up of glass bonded structures where streamlined curtain walls of glass are attached using silicone bonding. In simpler terms, structural glazing involves the use of glass in construction. The glass can be comprised of monolithic, laminated, double, or triple-glazed insulating glass units.
Types of structural glazing
Structural glazing is a fundamental part of façade design. There are four main types of structural glazing:
- Four-sided framed glazing – this is where all four sides of the glass are framed. The frame is built to support the glass and therefore used as a transparent infill panel.
- Two-sided framed glazing – only two sides of the glass are framed and installed in a vertical or horizontal direction.
- Frameless glazing – this frameless design makes the glass look more seamless. The glass is fitted using technology like spider glass.
- Glass fin glazing – glass sheets are used to make the glass façade stronger. In this method, the glass is aligned perpendicularly and bonded with silicone sealants and other special hardware.
Advantages of structural glazing
Below are some of the main benefits of structural glazing:
- The use of glass in construction helps to improve the appearance of your home
- It helps to better the architectural view and value of your home.
- Structural glazing helps to increase property value.
- It increases the space within your home creating an illusion of space hence making your home appear larger than it is.
- Glass assists significantly with thermal insulation, which helps with energy conservation. This is because glass is an excellent thermal insulator.
- Structural glazing improves the lighting of your home because it eliminates the barrier between natural light and your interiors.
- It helps save energy because glass is a poor conductor of heat.
- Structural glazing also helps create a more transparent and open environment.
Ways of upgrading your house through structural glazing
Below are excellent ways in which you can use glass and structural glazing to upgrade the appearance of your house:
Glasshouse extensions
Glass extensions are an incredible way to add more space to your home. They create more room for entertaining guests, lounging, children play area and embarking on your hobbies. A glasshouse extension also provides you with a peaceful space where you can escape the chaos in your home. This product creates an open space that brings the outside in helping create calming energy. Glass house extensions are, therefore, an incredible way to upgrade your home. Structural glazing specialists GlasSpace express “glass house extensions have become one of the most popular glazed additions to homes across the UK”.
Frameless sliding glass doors
Frameless sliding doors are also an excellent way to upgrade your house. These doors are unique and offer a myriad of advantages. First, the doors help to amplify the beauty of your home and feature a sleek modern contemporary design that will make your house stand out. Sliding glass doors also have an eco-friendly advantage, they act as efficient insulators, which in turn assist in reducing the energy consumption in your home. This means spending less money on energy bills. The doors also help to save space because of their frameless and thin design. Frameless sliding glass doors are efficient because they let in light and bring the beauty of the outdoors inside your house.
Glass staircase
Glass staircases help create a focal point when it comes to the interior design and décor of your home. The market is packed with a wide range of staircases that can help make your home stand out. Glass staircases help give your house an ultra-modern and contemporary look. In addition to being stylish, glass staircases are also very robust and durable which may seem far stretch considering their fragile and delicate look. The enhanced visibility creates an attractive and unique finish and the design helps your home look and feel more spacious than it is. The glass opens your home and creates an illusion of space.
Glass roofs
You can also use structural glazing to add more light to your house from above. This can be done in place of roof lights and lanterns. Glass roofs are incredible for areas like the kitchen and bathroom. They allow you to experience the beauty of the sky and improve your lighting during the day.
Each of the upgrades mentioned above will help increase the value of your property. The methods can be used both inside and outside of your house.
