Whether a small shop or a huge commercial complex, every commercial or office space requires windows. The process of installing glass in all commercial buildings is called commercial glazing.
The size of most commercial spaces is usually much bigger than residential buildings, which is why different techniques are used for glazing in commercial buildings. They require more glass, and the installation is more complex when dealing with different fixtures involving glazing.
Due to its complex nature and safety issues, only highly trained glazers with modern equipment are eligible for commercial glazing as per the safety regulations of any commercial building.
1. What Materials are Used in Glazing?
One similarity both commercial and residential glazing have is the use of glass as the main material. However, in commercial buildings, the windows and fixtures require more robust glazing.
Commercial buildings normally use double glazing or sometimes triple glazing for better heat flow inside and outside the buildings, while providing insulation from the noise.
Other options like plastic sheeting are also used as an alternative to glass for commercial use. Some offices opt for plastic glazing, which is cheaper to buy and install and is more durable.
However, glass remains by far the first choice for business owners due to its high performance and appeal.
2. Glazing Applications in Commercial Buildings
From interior décor to the exterior, glazing is used for a wide variety of applications. Glazing for interior décor includes custom mirrors, furniture, railings, skylights, custom glass, door closures, flooring, and shelving.
On the other hand, commercial use for exterior décor is more than just glazing the windows. It can include storefront glass, curtain glass, windows, entrance doors, and security glass.
Types of Commercial Glazing
Double Glazing
- Structure and Function: Double glazing consists of two glass panes separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space. This design significantly reduces heat transfer, making it ideal for temperature control in buildings.
- Applications: Commonly used in office buildings, high-end retail stores, hotels, schools, airports, banks and other commercial spaces to enhance energy efficiency and reduce noise pollution.
- Benefits: Offers excellent insulation, leading to energy cost savings. Also provides soundproofing benefits, which is crucial in bustling urban environments.
Laminated Safety Glass
- Composition: Laminated safety glass is made by bonding two or more layers of glass with an interlayer, typically of polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
- Safety Features: In the event of breaking, the glass shards remain attached to the interlayer, reducing the risk of injury.
- Uses: Ideal for areas where safety is paramount, such as storefronts, balconies, and upper-floor walkways of shopping malls and also in places prone to severe weather.
Tempered Glass
- Processing Technique: Tempered glass is treated with thermal or chemical processes to increase its strength significantly.
- Durability and Safety: It is about four times stronger than regular glass and, when broken, shatters into small, granular chunks instead of sharp shards.
- Preferred Locations: Widely used in high-traffic areas and where the risk of human impact is high, such as indoors, stair railings, and skylights.
Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Glass
- Special Coating: This glass has a microscopically thin, transparent coating that reflects thermal radiation or heat.
- Energy Efficiency: Low-E glass reduces the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes through the glass, without minimizing the amount of light that enters.
- Application: Extremely beneficial in regions with extreme weather conditions, helping in maintaining consistent indoor temperatures.
Tinted and Reflective Glass
- Tinting Process: Involves adding colour to the glass during production or applying a film to the surface.
- Reflective Qualities: Reflective glass is treated to reflect heat and radiation from the sun, reducing glare and heat gain.
- Aesthetic and Functional Use: Popular for its aesthetic appeal and functionality in controlling the internal climate of a building.
Smart Glass
- Innovative Features: Also known as switchable glass, it changes its light transmission properties when voltage, light, or heat is applied.
- Applications: Can be used for instant privacy, solar shading, and energy conservation.
- Flexibility and Control: This provides building occupants the flexibility to control the amount of light and heat entering the space.
3. What are the Advantages of Commercial Glazing
Commercial glazing provides several benefits for commercial glass buildings. For instance, it allows for natural light to pass through the office space, which ensures a well-lit environment. It eliminates the need for artificial lighting while creating a better ambiance for employees.
Storefronts that want to showcase their products can easily flaunt their merchandise with glass doors and windows, which appeals to prospective buyers and the number of sales.
Offices, schools, supermarkets, and shops that use commercial glass have better control over thermal heating. Heat losses can increase your expenses in the shape of energy bills, but quality commercial glass prevents the heat from escaping your commercial space, which keeps the place warm and cozy.
Alternatively, during summer, the glass protects the building from external heat, which keeps it cool during warmer seasons.
Similarly, double glazing also provides insulation from outside noise, which keeps your office space shielded from traffic noise pollution, allowing the employees to work in a peaceful work environment and better productivity.
Crystal Glass provides commercial glass repair and replacement services in Calgary. Our highly trained professionals use modern equipment to ensure safe emergency glass service. If you want reliable glazing service for your commercial space, feel free to give us a call at 310-4527 or email us at chip@crystalglass.ca.
