Look around anywhere you go and you’ll see glass used in some shape or form. Glass has evolved beyond just a functional purpose, and is now used for aesthetic purposes. Homes and businesses worldwide are turning to structural glass engineers to creatively incorporate glass into their building design to create a unique and elegant appearance. Here are a few of the many ways glass can be used to personalize an appearance in any building.
Patterned Glass
Patterned glass is a structural glass design that incorporates different textures or patterns on the glass when it’s rolled out. The pattern can be placed on a single side or both sides and can be used for both functional and decorative purposes. The glass offers a bit of obscurity, depending on the patterned used, and also provides translucency.
Reflective Glass
Reflective glass is often in the structural glass design of office buildings. A metal compound is coated on the surface of the glass to give it reflective properties in order to reflect light and heat. The metal compound can generally be applied to any type of glass, so you can create both a unique appearance with a functional use as well. The primary uses include windows and doors for commercial buildings, structural glazing and curtain wall glazing.
Glass Bricks
Glass bricks are mainly used in glass engineering for decorative purposes, but they also have functional value as well. The blocks of glass can be used as bricks and are joined together with silicone sealants for a neat appearance. You can be as creative as you want with these, as they can be either smooth or textured on the outside, colored or have decorated surfaces.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass mainly has a functional purpose, as it minimizes glare and absorbs heat. It is available in a few different colors, and can help control energy usage and create more of a comfortable indoor environment.
What’s The Best Glass For You?
The great thing about glass engineering is there are virtually endless possibilities with how you can incorporate it. Even some of the most creative glass structures can have functional benefits as well, but it’s important to work with structural glass engineers to ensure stability with any structure. Whether you want to incorporate glass into your home or office building, you have plenty of options to be as creative and as unique as you desire.
BE Structural has a team of structural glass engineers ready to help design any construction project. With so many opportunities for glass usage, we welcome the opportunity for a new challenge. When you contact us, we will not only provide you with a thorough analysis of a particular glass type, but will also help you visualize the appearance it can create for your space.