Archives: June 2020
Glass is a primary component of buildings for about the last 100 years or so. Glass has certain properties that make it ideal for inclusion into residential, commercial and institutional structures. It is transparent which is a main property of glass, allowing light in and a look outside. Glass can be made to be transparent from both sides or just one. You can see out, but one-sided glass provides privacy disallowing anyone to see into the room. The outside behaves like a mirror. Strength is an issue with glass. It is measured by the “modulus of rupture value”. Basically, a brittle material, glass is made stronger by the underlying formula or the use of laminates in the construction.
Wall & Window Glazing
To be useful a material must be workable. Cut to shape and sized to fit, glass can be worked like many building materials given the proper tools and know-how. Glazing is the term the refers to the panels containing fix frames of wood or metal and fixed into the curtain (outside) walls. Glass is not the only glazing material. Polycarbonates are also important and is the lightweight shatter resistant material used in eyeglasses.
Dry VS Wet Glazed Systems
Dry glazed panes compression stress is applied to fix metal panels or glass into the glazing pockets of the frames. The compression forces depend on using rubber gaskets and occasionally structural tapes. In most cases the rubber gasket are placed on either side of the glazed element and the panels can be either glazed externally or internally. With wet glazing the infill element is attached to the frame using a silicone sealant. The sealant bonds to both the frame and element, essentially it acts like an adhesive. This is done in a factory setting as adhesion is affected by the presence of particulates, i.e. dust and dirt in the air.
Tempered & Dual Pane Glass
Point supported tempered glass with holes to accommodate bolts and brackets to support the glass. Glass is tempered by exposing to a high degree of temperature during processing, avoiding the damages when in service. Dual skin or dual pane have of dead air (nitrogen in factory panels) to help insulate and control energy. In large building applications the air is heated and moved by fans to manipulate the energy management of a building from the sun.
Common Types of Windows
Windows come in various type for different building applications and are separated between residential systems and commercial applications.
Fixed windows are immovable and cannot be open. Popular in high entry ways and commercial applications.
Movable windows include sliding, pivoting or double hung (vertical sliding windows).
Sliding windows move from side to side to open while pivoting windows of a central pivot point the allows the windows to turn to be opened.
Casement windows are hinged or have pivots on the outside edges that allow them to be swung open for air flow.
Glass Replacement, Repairs & More in Los Angeles, Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, Sherman Oaks & Greater North Hollywood, California
In areas that depend on natural ventilation movable solid nontransparent louvers are used and can be open various amounts to adjust ventilation currents. There is more to glass and glazing than included in this introduction to basics. For more information or a quote to repair, replace or install window or bathroom shower enclosures contact the experts at Rohan Glass Company.