Over the last few years, open glass facade buildings have emerged worldwide. However, the use of glass facades is not only limited to just skyscrapers and tall commercial buildings as residential units and houses can also create open surfaces featuring glass facades.
An open glass facade not only lets sunlight enter the structure, creating a bright atmosphere but also enhances the overall look of the building by making it more appealing.
In this blog Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal has gathered all the information regarding open glass facade buildings.
Types of Glass Façade Buildings
There is a vast variety of glass available for facades which makes it easy for architects and designers to control aspects of performance including insulation, solar, security, and the overall design and style of the structure.
The following are the formations in which the glass facade is used most commonly.
Curtain Wall
It is a type of non-structural exterior covering of a building. Being non-structural, a curtain wall is made using lightweight material, hence reducing the cost of construction.
A curtain wall provides insulation and makes the building soundproof.
Curved Facades
Also known as bent glass, curved glass is a kind of glass that is softened and given a curved shape. It can be curved using two methods – heat-treated bending and gravity bending. If the glass is bent using gravity, it is placed into a mold to achieve the desired shape and afterward cooled down slowly.
Spandrels
Spandrels are opaque glass that is used to cover the columns, floors, vents, electrical wires, HVAC system, and plumbing of the structure. It prevents them from being visible.
Roofs and Skylights
Roof glazing glass is of great use as it can be used throughout the roof of the building or the structure. It reduces the consumption of energy that goes into artificial lighting and lets the natural light/ sunlight enter the structure while providing insulation to the building at the same time.
As light enters the building naturally, it gives the interior of the building a bright ambiance.
Balustrades
In addition to making roofs, glass can also be used to create railings, barriers, and balustrades of a building, making space for natural light to enter the building.
Just like the glass roofs and skylights, glass balustrades also allow sunlight through the structure, hence minimizing the need for artificial lights. Glass balustrades and railings add a fashionable, open-plan feel to the structure.
The functionality of the Open Glass Facade
It is generally assumed that glass facades can weaken the structure of buildings. People think that glass facades are weaker than concrete structures, and they can be really dangerous on rainy and windy days. Some of the common concerns of people are as follows.
What are the fundamental properties of glass to be used for glass facade buildings?
The glass needs to be able to withstand air pressure. Moreover, builders need to add glass pieces properly with a lot of care. Skilled personnel will make sure that the glass is fixed properly in the building and that no gaps are left there.
Is Glass Facade House Design Layouts Common?
Some of the modern houses in Pakistan can be seen now with glass facade designs. Sometimes they use tinted glass to protect their privacy.
Why are skyscrapers built with glass?
As we mentioned before, a glass facade adds luxury to any building or structure. Moreover, the glass finish looks more desirable in comparison to the concrete ones.
In addition to that, there is another interesting fact that tells us why skyscrapers use glass facades; studies have shown that sunlight improves employee efficiency.
Pros and Cons of Open Glass Facade
Following are the pros and cons of open glass facade buildings.
Pros of Open Glass Facade
- It enhances the beauty and outlook of the building
- It lets the natural daylight enter the building and as a result, reduces the need for artificial lights
- The glass used is made weather-resistant, hence it can easily withstand harsh weather conditions.
- It lessens the weight of the building on its foundations.
- Glass facades are low maintenance.
Cons of Open Glass Facade
- Glass facade buildings reflect a lot of light because of their shiny surface of it, which is one of its major disadvantages.
- Open glass facade buildings are not recommended for countries with hot climates, as the glass absorbs more heat and entraps it inside the structure.
- Most glass types are not resistant to earthquakes so open glass facade buildings are not suitable for seismic zones.
Open glass buildings are inspired by the skyscrapers we see in New York, US. They exude value and increase the beauty of the structure.
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