Structural glazing can be expensive – especially if specified in large sheets. As well as budget considerations, access will need to be accessed. If access to the site is difficult, this may restrict the size of the panel that can be delivered and therefore installed.
In structural glazing, bonding of glass is done to the structural framing members of the building while a curtain wall is an outer covering of a building with non-structural outer walls.
Structural glazing is an innovative building material that takes advantage of all modern technology has to offer. The specially reinforced glass used is strong enough to walk on and bear its own weight, and the flexible silicone adhesive provides a smooth, seamless aesthetic and eliminates the need for framing.
Structural glazing systems come in various forms, including two-sided (butt-joint) and four-sided systems. Two-sided systems typically support the glass panels along two opposite edges, while four-sided systems provide support along all edges.
Whereas architectural glazing is often a glazing addition to the overall building it is attached to, structural glazing is often an instrumental building material that contributes to the overall structure of the property it is attached to, becoming a part of your living space.
Double glaze, also known as dual-pane windows, use two panes of glass separated by a spacer and air space within an opening to improve insulation against heat transfer and sound transmission. Dual-pane windows are the most common energy efficient glazing type on the market today.
How Thick Can Structural Glass Walls be? As a rough guide, thicknesses can range from 6mm to 24mm. Under compression, 1cm cube of a typical structural glass can withstand up to 10 tone loads before breaking. However, the thickness is determined by the role required of the glass.
Structural Glazing With Toughened Glass
Toughened glass, also known as tempered glass, is a type of safety glass that undergoes a thermal tempering process. The glass is heated to a high temperature and then rapidly cooled, which results in increased strength and resistance to breakage compared to regular glass.
Structural glazing is traditionally used in glass skyscrapers but now has many other applications, from glass floors to minimal glass windows with no discernable frame.
The per linear foot cost of windows walls starts from $700 and can go as high as $1,600. Since the walls are custom-made, they come with a hefty price tag. The cost increases by adding vertical and horizontal aluminum framing and other components such as light and panels.
Common Challenges Faced on Glass Facade Maintenance
Water spots from rain, mineral deposits, bird droppings, and other external impurities can all cause unpleasant stains. Weather fluctuations can cause structural damage, and without regular maintenance, these issues might worsen over time.
Raw materials for making virgin glass also release greenhouse gases during the melting process, adding to its environmental footprint. According to the International Energy Agency, the container and flat-glass industries emit over 60 megatonnes of CO2 per year.
Triple glazing is often the highest rated for energy efficiency, making it the most effective at helping you save money on energy bills. Triple glazing can also help prevent outside noise travelling into your home when your windows are closed.
In two-sided structural glazing, two sides of the unit are held mechanically while the other two are held by applying a structural sealant (remember, not all sealants are approved to be structural sealants). In four-sided structural glazing, all four sides of the unit are held in the building via the sealant.
Mullions are interspaced at each floor so that each floor takes only the weight of its frames, which allows for better expansion and contraction. The system is engineered with the advantage of being flexible. It can move up or down, left or right, greatly reducing the impact of earthquakes.
Simply put, structural glazing is term used to describe glass that is integral to the design of a building: It involves large glass panels, which usually bear some weight in the structure. Structural glazing can be used to create huge glass installations with minimal obstruction.
The thickness of glass installed for skylight purposes commonly ranges between 4-6mm with a high-quality polished edge finish. When determining standards for skylight glass installation, areas such as heat loss, safety and security, glazing types and framing systems must be considered.
Curtain wall systems typically use aluminum frames, while structural glazing systems use glass as the primary structural element. Additionally, curtain walls often include other materials such as metal panels, stone, or brick as infill panels.
The standard thickness for each pane of double glazing is around 4mm. The overall unit size can range from 12mm to 28mm in thickness. The space between the two panes of glass can vary between 6mm to 20mm. A wider gap between the panes means a more effective insulator.
Glass Thickness
6mm (1/4″): supports approximately 60-70 lbs per square foot. 8mm (5/16″): supports approximately 85-100 lbs per square foot. 10mm (3/8″): supports approximately 110-130 lbs per square foot. 12mm (1/2″): supports approximately 150-170 lbs per square foot.
This is a 3/8″ clear tempered glass shower door with four members of our installation team standing on it. It will bow, but not break! Technically speaking, tempered glass has a minimum surface compression of 10,000 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) and minimum edge compression of 9,700 psi, according to ASTM C1048.
In contrast, expensive double glazing typically incorporates high-quality materials, such as advanced glass coatings and robust frame materials like uPVC or aluminum. These premium materials not only contribute to better insulation but also ensure the windows withstand the test of time.
Annealed glass is the weakest glass. It is half as strong as heat-strengthened glass. Tempered glass is 4-5 stronger than annealed glass.
Many factors need to be considered when selecting a glazing material. The life of the material, its strength, its weight, initial cost, light transmittance, thermal conductance, maintenance issues and flammability are all very important factors.