GLASS

BUILDING MATERIAL

NAME :KUNAL PANCHAL

FIFTH YR. DIV: C
ROLL NO 18
B.V.C.O.A.
 Glass has been used for
hundreds of years in
architecture. Glass forms a
major part of the outer
envelope of buildings. It is also
used internal partitions and
door and windows

According to ‘Jelena Savic et al.‘ (2013) (Published in

architectural glass: types, performance and legislation), ‘the
transparency and translucency of glass ensure aesthetic
beauty to architecture. It helps to create elegant spaces in
any part of the building. The way in which light transmits
through a glass in a building is so stunning that it has evolved
into a powerful tool for an architect. Nowadays, glass is an
essential part of many facades and roofs.’ No other material
can replicate the aesthetic quality of a glass. It kicks in new
opportunities for designer and architects to outline the
designs creatively. It forms an essential part of the building
designs driving the designers to use it widely.
Glass is one such fascinating material which not only adds
aesthetic value to a building but also retains its quality after
recycling. It is one of the versatile and oldest materials in the
building industry. Glass has its properties as a transparent
glazing material in construction. It has architectural
applications in doors, windows, partition, etc. Being an
open hard substance created by transforming heat to sand
or quartz, glass forms an inorganic, transparent or
translucent material which can be molded into any shape.
It is a mixture of raw materials like Silica, sodium potassium
carbonate, lime or lead oxide, Manganese oxide which is
grounded, sieved and mixed in specific proportion and
melted in the furnace. It makes an excellent medium
possessing diversified uses and properties. Just like every
building material has its share of advantages and
disadvantages, so does glass.
 ADVANTAGES OF GLASS
01. VISIBLE TRANSMITTANCE
Glass absorbs, refracts or transmits light. It can be made
transparent or translucent, so it adds extraordinary beauty to
the building. It transmits up to 80% of available natural
daylight in both directions without any yellowing, clouding or
weathering.
02. WEATHER AND RUST RESISTANT
The glass is fully weather resistant so it can withstand the
effects of the wind, rain, or the sun and can retain its
appearance and integrity. Additionally, glass does not rust.
So, degrading gradually by chemicals and surrounding
environment is not the case with glass.
03. DUSTPROOF AND WATERPROOF
Glass has a smooth glossy surface, so it is dustproof and can
be cleaned efficiently. Also, it is waterproof.
04. TRANSPARENCY
The glass allows you to connect with the outer world visually.
Even when the door or windows are closed, it will enable the
light to flow in. Thus, it saves energy and reduces electricity
bills. It brightens up the room and enhances the beauty of
the home. Most importantly, it boosts the mood of
occupants.
05. INSULATOR OF ELECTRICITY
INSULATOR OF ELECTRICITY: It is an excellent insulator against
electricity. It is impossible to conduct an electric current
under the influence of an electric field. In the absence of free
electrons, it ensures that you are safe from any electrical
hazards.
06. COLOUR AVAILABILITY
It is available in wide range of colors, and when we combine
the glass sheet in laminated or insulated units, it changes in
color and appearance.
07. EASILY MOULDED
Glass is a translucent material which is produced by
application of heat into the sand. So, it can be blown, drawn
and pressed to any shape and thus used for general glazing
purposes in building, shop fronts, building doors, windows and
workshops. Additionally, it is positioned in furniture after being
laminated with plywood or metal sheet. Hence, it is one of the
most versatile materials used in the construction of buildings
08. AESTHETICALLY APPEALING
. Glass provides an ideal way to showcase a product. Glass
can make the structure look more stunning, sophisticated and
adds beauty to the building. It is used to achieve the
architectural view for external decoration.
09. RECYCLABLE
Glass is 100% recyclable, and it does not degrade during the
recycling process; hence, it can be recycled repeatedly
without compromising on quality or purity.
10. SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL
Glass respects the environment. As it can recover itself many
times, it is one of the sustainable materials also. The integrated
system of recycling provides cost-savings and a reduction in
carbon footprint, which ultimately results in use of lesser
natural resources.
11. UV STABLE
The glass is UV stable since it is not attacked by ultraviolet
radiation and hence cracks, discoloration or disintegration will
not occur.
12. ABRASION RESISTANCE
The glass is excellent abrasion resistant material so it will resist
surface wear caused by flat rubbing and direct contact with
another material.
 DISADVANTAGES OF GLASS

01. COST
Manufacturing of glass is a highly energy consuming process
due to high temperatures required for processing the raw
materials. It is an expensive material that ultimately adds to
the cost of construction.
02. BRITTLENESS
The glass is very rigid and brittle material. When it is
subjected to stress, it breaks without significant strain. Broken
pieces of glass may be sharp, and chances of injury are very
high.
03. IMPACT RESISTANT
The Glass is less impact resistant, so the capability of the
glass to withstand an immediately applied load is very poor.
04. ETCHING ON GLASS SURFACE
The Glass is affected by external hydrofluoric acid, and
hence etching appears occasionally on the glass surface
05. CORROSION DUE TO ALKALI SOLUTION
The Glass is affected by alkalis ions. Alkali solution dissolves a
glass surface, and as long as the supply of alkali is sufficient,
this type of corrosion takes place at a uniform rate.
06. HEAT TRANSPARENCY
Glass offers superior transparency of heat; hence, it should
balance with its relatively low R-value (energy saving). R-
value is one of the essential factors for insulating.
07. INCREASING THE COST OF SECURITY
Use of glass also raises the cost of security.
08. UNSAFE FOR EARTHQUAKE-PRONE AREAS
It is too dangerous for the earthquake-prone zones.
Unfortunately, there is no such Glass which could be an
earthquake-proof material
09. LOW HEAT PRESERVATION
The glass is inadequate in terms of heat preservation,
leading to higher costs in the operation of air-conditioners.