Choosing a Glass Type for a Commercial Building

When designing a commercial building, you may have more options for the glass used on windows and doors and interior offices than you realize. While the type of glass you choose for your building will always be important, if your new building will have an entire façade or front made of glass rather than brick or steel with a few glass windows, it becomes even more important to choose the right type. You also need to consider the safety of glass used to create interior offices of a building. Note a few simple tips to help you decide the best type of glass for your commercial structure.

1. Reflective glass

Reflective glass can give your building a very distinct look as sunlight shines back off its surface. However, reflective glass may be more of a traffic hazard than you realize, as it can cause glare and a distraction to nearby drivers. So be cautious about using reflective glass in areas with high traffic.

2. Insulated glass

This type of glass is made especially to keep heat inside a building. The sun's light will easily shine through the glass but it is made specifically to keep in heat and warmth, something to consider if the building is in a colder climate.

Tinted glass can work much the same way, but to keep sunlight out and keep the building interior cool. Darker tints will reflect sunlight away from the building without creating a glare so that the interior of the building is cooler while the exterior is safer overall.

3. Bullet resistant glass

This type of glass is no longer reserved for banks but can be added to any office where security may be a concern. This can be a good choice for interior offices where money, sensitive paperwork, and other items are stored. You can typically choose the level of resistance or protection you want with bullet resistant glass, so consider your budget versus the amount of protection you may need.

4. Blast resistant glass

This type of glass would be good for exterior use, not just to keep occupants safe from potential terrorist attacks but also earthquakes and even auto accidents. Blast resistant glass will be tempered to withstand shattering under extreme stress or impact.

5. Wired glass

Wired glass will have wires that run through it in order to keep it from shattering during an impact. This is often recommended for skylights and areas where it may be a hazard to have falling glass. If the glass pane should break, the pieces will be held together by the internal wires, making it safer for occupants.

For more information and options, contact commercial glaziers, like those at South Melbourne Glass.

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