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Energy efficiency and glass

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Energy efficiency and glass

Energy efficiency and glass

Float glass wasn’t mass-produced in the US until the 1800’s, and it didn’t take long for people to figure out that glass isn’t very energy-efficient. The first attempt to make insulated window glass was patented in 1865! The first insulated windows used a double-pane arrangement with an air-gap sealed by thin rope and tar. The approach is still used today, but the materials have changed a lot!

Energy efficiency drives glass improvements

As a building material, glass is very attractive, but ordinary glass doesn’t lend itself to energy efficiency. Because energy is at a premium, energy losses just aren’t acceptable today, so the quest for energy efficiency tends to drive glass technologies.

Following the attempt to create insulated glass in the mid-1800s, there were no major improvements in glass fabrication or glass technology for about 100 years. The earliest glass coatings were developed in the 1960’s. They didn’t gain a whole lot of traction, but glass manufacturers began to develop low-emissivity glass and coatings in the mid-1970s as a reaction to the energy crisis at that time. Initially, much of the glass research and development was being carried out in Europe, but by the late 1970s, more glass research and development was being conducted in the United States.

In addition to research on coatings, new techniques were being developed for applying coatings to glass. By the mid-1980s, the glass industry had settled on the use of silver in creating reflective (low-e) glass. A process known as “sputtering” was used to apply the coatings to the glass surface.

By 1990, about 20% of residential window glass was classified as low-e, even though the primary driver of the technology – the energy crisis of the 1970s – had long since passed. Low-e glass offered the primary benefit of energy efficiency, but the premium glass was developing a following because it made new homes more comfortable.

The key to energy efficiency and glass is to reduce the amount of UV light that successfully penetrates the glass. By reducing UV (and infrared) light penetration, you can control the build-up of heat in a confined space without completely sacrificing transmissible light. Glassprimer™ glass paint is designed to create a permanent bond with all kinds of glass, so no matter what kind of glass you use, Glassprimer™ glass paint can help improve the energy efficiency of glass.

If you’d like more information about working with Glassprimer™ glass paint, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Eduardo Hanazaki, via FreeImages.com

Transporting glass safely over long distances

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Transporting glass safely over long distances

Transporting glass safely over long distances

In an earlier post, we looked at methods for transporting glass safely. The post only took into account short-distance transportation – from the glass shop to the worksite, for example. But how does glass get from place to place over long distances, and what challenges can arise when transporting glass?

Transporting glass isn’t for sissies!

Transporting glass over long distances or in bulk requires specialized equipment inside a truck. Breakage is always a major concern, since it can range anywhere from 0.5% to a whopping 40%!. Packaging makes all the difference in the world. Great packaging means few losses. Clever approaches to transporting glass can increase the amount of glass that can be transported in a single load, reduce the losses during transport, and reduce the effort required to move glass from place to place.

One way in which glass fabricators minimize the dangers involved in transporting glass is by regionalizing glass production. By minimizing the distance needed to transport glass to major markets, glass manufacturers can reduce losses and simplify the process of transporting glass. Nearly 50 major glass manufacturers in the US operate about 100 fabricating facilities for plate glass production.

Fortunately, glass production does not require specialized locations, nor is it environmentally unfriendly. Most states have at least one significant glass manufacturing facility, however most glass production facilities specialize in creating a limited range of glass types. Additionally, many production facilities are certified to make glass for major glass companies like Guardian and PPG. A sheet of float glass may be sold under a specific brand name, for example, but it may be created in the same facility as a competitor’s glass.

The biggest issue in transporting glass is not how the glass is transported or how far the glass has to travel, but who is transporting glass. The trucking industry as a whole is facing a huge labor gap. That is, there are far more open jobs than people to fill them. Truck driving takes some specialized training, and transporting glass is a niche specialty, so general carriers tend to avoid transporting glass because they are not set up with the right equipment and personnel to move large volumes of glass.

Fortunately, most individuals don’t need to worry about the long-distance concerns related to transporting glass. If you need to transport glass, or arrange for the transportation of glass over a long distance, you’d be wise to look for a carrier that specializes in transporting plate glass. While transporting glass may be expensive, an experienced glass carrier can make sure your glass gets from Point A to Point B in one piece!
Photo Credit: Piotr Kotkowski , via FreeImages.com

Laminated glass artwork

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Laminated glass artwork

Laminated glass artwork

As a building and decorating material, glass is exceptionally versatile, but it can also be used in an artistic capacity. One application that qualifies as both architectural and artistic is laminated glass. Laminated glass consists of at least two panels of glass that are bonded together. Here are a few examples of laminated glass and how (and where) they can be used.

Laminated glass has been around for awhile

Laminated glass is actually a form of safety glass. In this form, two layers of glass are bonded together with a thin vinyl film. If one or both of the glass panels breaks, the film keeps the broken glass contained. Laminated glass has been used in automobile windshields for about 100 years.

As an art form, laminated glass can be combined with a variety of items in the interlayer – the space between the two glass panels. Photographs, ink, fabric, paints and other materials can be bonded between the glass and multiple glass layers can be laminated together to make a unique artistic application.

Artistic laminated glass has been used in Europe for years, in both commercial and residential applications. Laminated glass artwork can combine a number of different techniques and materials, including tinted glass, painted glass, etched glass and sandblasted glass to create a unique yet practical artistic application.

Artistic laminated glass is sometimes called “glass applique.” Although the technique can create a finished product that resembles stained glass, it does not have the black lines that characterize stained glass works. Artistic laminated glass can be used in both commercial and residential settings, as well as both interior and exterior designs.

Some manufacturers have created film laminates that can be applied to the surface of the glass. The films create patterns and colors, but this isn’t really the same thing as laminated glass. True laminated glass bonds glass together and uses the interlayer as a decorative space.

If you’d like more information about artistic laminated glass, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Frans de Wit, via FreeImages.com

Interior glass trends for 2016

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Interior glass trends for 2016

Interior glass trends for 2016

It’s no secret that interior designers for both commercial and residential spaces are increasingly turning to glass as a decorating surface. What’s driving the move toward glass and what can we expect in the coming year?

Interior glass demand is growing

Light, light, light. There’s no denying it; there’s just something irresistible about natural light. With light comes heat, but technological improvements have made it easier and more cost effective to incorporate insulated glass, reflective glass and low-e glass in structures. Designs that use glass to control the amount of light and heat that enter (or leave) the building will continue to dominate the architectural landscape, largely because they support the drive toward optimizing energy efficiency.

Windows aren’t the only use for interior glass. Expect more stairs, walls and even floors. Nothing transmits light like glass, and use of glass throughout the interior of a space can help ensure the maximum distribution of natural light.

More decorative glass. With glass, there’s no need to argue about form or function, because glass will provide both. When natural light isn’t available, translucent glass, low-iron glass and painted or etched glass can help distribute light efficiently in interior design. In addition to windows and window walls, the use of glass as a cladding material will only increase. Color-rich environments, made possible with techniques like tinting and backpainting make glass an entirely versatile material in interior design.

Printed glass. New printing techniques and materials have created new options for decorating glass. UV-curable inks eliminate the need for heat curing, reduce production time and costs, and provide exceptional color depth. Special primers like Glassprimer™ glass surface molecular activator help to ensure that printed inks will enjoy a long lifespan, even in the most demanding commercial environments.

If you’d like more information about the latest trends in interior glass, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Colin Hughes , via FreeImages.com

More about specialty glass

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More about specialty glass

More about specialty glass

The last post discussed two common types of specialty glass – patterned glass and tinted glass. Today, let’s look at two additional types of specialty glass – reflective glass and insulated glass – how they’re made and what they’re used for.

Two less common types of specialty glass

Reflective glass. Reflective glass is a specialty glass that features a reflective, transparent metallic outer layer. The coating reflects solar radiation and reduces the visible transmission (VT) of the glass. This reduces glare and the overall intensity of the transmitted light, but it also reduces the solar heat gain co-efficient (SHGC) of the glass.

In practical terms, this means reflective glass is better at keeping a room cooler during the summer than it is at preventing heat loss through the window during the winter. Reflective glass can make a significant contribution to reducing energy consumption in buildings that receive a lot of solar radiation – such as those in the Southwest.

Reflective glass also has “one-way” transmission properties. The glass is “see-through” in only one direction, so when used on the “skin” of a building, it offers privacy to the people inside, while still allowing light to pass through the glass.

The metallic layer in reflective glass is usually made of silver and a metal-oxide alloy, deposited in multiple separate layers. Reflective glass can be tempered, laminated and double-glazed. It’s important to remember that reflective glass is essentially a mirror and can focus (or intensify) the sunlight that hits it. In one instance, the reflected sunlight from a building in London was strong enough to damage vehicles parked nearby.

Insulated glass. Insulated glass is used in new and replacement residential windows. Insulated windows are made from multiple panes of glass that are bonded together in a single window frame. Usually a small space between panes is filled with ordinary air, or with an insulating gas such as krypton or argon. A triple-pane insulated glass window actually has 6 surfaces and two insulating spaces, which reduces heat losses and makes the window stronger.

Improvements in window technology are critical to achieving gains in the overall energy efficiency of homes and buildings. By combining specialty glass with different materials, glass coatings and construction techniques, engineers can significantly increase the energy efficiency of windows.

If you’d like more information about specialty glass and how Glassprimer™ glass paint can contribute to energy efficiency, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Bill Davenport, via FreeI

Types of specialty glass

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Types of specialty glass

Types of specialty glass

The last post discussed types of safety glass, and an earlier post looked at different types of “ordinary” glass. Today, let’s look at different types of specialty glass, how they’re made and what they’re used for.

Two common types of specialty glass and how they’re made

Patterned glass. Patterned glass is sometimes called textured glass, decorative glass, pressed glass or obscured glass. It’s typically translucent and has a physical (raised) pattern on at least one side – sometimes both. Patterned glass often has a pebbled appearance. It’s used to create privacy in spaces where transmitted light is also desirable, so you may see it on private office doors, bathroom doors and windows. You may also see it used for shower enclosures.

Patterned glass is manufactured similarly to float glass, except that one of the rollers that moves the glass during production has a pattern on it. The pattern is pressed into the glass as the glass “floats” by. Patterns are usually created on one side of the glass, but by using two patterned rollers instead of just one, glass manufacturers can create two-sided patterned glass.

Patterned glass can be tempered, laminated or and/or double-glazed. It is also cut and installed just like ordinary plate glass. The pattern on the glass determines the level of obscurity the glass provides. It also comes in a variety of thicknesses and can be tinted.

Tinted (colored) glass. Tinted glass is fairly common, so it seems a little strange to call it a type of specialty glass – but it is! Tinted glass can come in virtually any color, but red, amber, blue, green and gray (or black) are the most common.

Tinted glass can be clear, translucent or opaque and can be combined with other glass manufacturing techniques, like patterning, etching or frosting, and tempering. Tinted glass is manufactured just like ordinary float glass. The coloration comes from different metal oxides that are added to (or found in) the components that are used to make glass. Tinted glass offers some UV-light protection, reduces the transmissibility of visible light, and tends to reduce the buildup of heat from solar radiation.

Glass can also be tinted by bonding a thin-film laminate to the surface of clear glass. Thin film laminates give the window a tinted appearance, but do not offer any UV-protection.

The next post will look at reflective glass and insulating glass – two other types of specialty glass. If you would like to learn more about ways to decorate glass, or mimic the look of privacy glass, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Ruth Livingstone, via FreeImages.com

Types of safety glass

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Types of safety glass

Types of safety glass

In an earlier post, we looked at some common types of glass and how they’re made. In this post, we’ll look at some types of safety glass, and where they can are used.

The most common types of safety glass

Tempered glass. Tempered glass (also known as toughened glass) is the most common type of safety glass. The tempering process balances the compression of the outer surface with tension on the inner surfaces of the glass. This improves the strength and impact resistance of the glass. Glass can be tempered by a carefully controlled heating and cooling process, or by a chemical process. It also changes the way the glass responds to a catastrophic impact. Tempered glass breaks into cubes, rather than shattering into shards, the way ordinary plate and container glasses do. Tempered glass has been used in automotive windows, and in architectural applications like doors and windows. Tempered glass is also used in furniture, “ovenproof” cookware (e.g., Pyrex), shower doors, and other applications where shattered glass would be particularly dangerous. Tempered glass is recommended for use in kitchens that feature backpainted glass. Tempered glass can safely be used in areas where the temperature exceeds 400° F, so it can be used safely around stoves and ovens.

Georgian wired. Georgian wired is another type of safety glass that incorporates a thin-gauge wire mesh. The wire mesh used in Georgian wired glass may be as small as ½” or as large as ¾”. Usually, the glass is ¼” thick, and is fire-rated for 45 minutes. Georgian wired glass is not classified as a “barrier to heat,” but it is intended for openings (including windows and doors) that do not require an impact safety rating. The advantage of Georgian wired glass is that if the glass is shattered, the wire will hold the glass in place. The wire mesh does reduce the transmission of visible light through the glass by about 25%, so that may be a consideration for areas where maximum light transmission is desired or required. Other forms of safety glass may offer better impact protection, heat resistance or fire ratings.

Laminated glass. Laminated glass, which was initially developed more than 100 years ago, is a layered type of safety glass, and incorporates a vinyl film between the glass layers that holds the glass together in the event the glass is shattered. The film is usually made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyvinyl butyral. Laminated glass is used in windshields, glass doors and windows, buildings where hurricane resistance is required, skylights and in other places where shattered or flying glass would pose a serious danger to people. Laminated glass also has UV-blocking and sound-insulating qualities.

These are the most common types of safety glass. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used with all types of safety glass. If you’d like more information about using Glassprimer™ glass paint, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Susan Fernbach, via FreeImages.com

Glass printing options

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Glass printing options

Glass printing options

Traditional printing processes rely on liquid ink. The paper (or other media) absorbs the ink. Glass isn’t absorbent, so glass printing is a challenge. Traditional inks and paints don’t work well, leaving few viable options for printing on glass.

Glass printing techniques

Silk screening. The traditional, tested method of glass printing is silk screening. The technique creates an image that’s clearly visible from a distance. Close inspection reveals that the image is made from millions of tiny dots. Depending upon the size of the screen, silk screen printing can offer coverage off varying percentages. The standard screen provides 60% coverage.

Silk screen printing was invented more than 100 years ago, and involves placing ink on the surface of the glass through a mesh screen. Once the ink has been applied to the glass, the glass and ink are fired to allow the ink to adhere firmly to the glass. Images with multiple colors require a different screen for each color, and the glass must be fired each time a new color is added to the image. The process is time-consuming and is prone to registration and coloration errors.

A related technique is screen transfer printing, where the image is transferred from paper to the glass. As with silk screening, screen printed transfers must be fired once they’ve been applied to the glass in order to permanently bond the image to the glass, and multiple screens may be required to form a single image.

Digital ceramic ink printing. Digital ceramic ink is applied using a flatbed inkjet printer. The ink is precisely controlled and dries on contact with the glass. This allows the printer to eliminate unwanted color blending, and provide precise control over the thickness of individual paint droplets. Once the paint is applied, it’s fired to create permanent adhesion with the glass surface.

UV Inkjet glass printing. UV inkjet glass printing represented an evolution in glass printing techniques. An earlier glass printing technique bonded an image printed on a clear substrate to the glass. UV inkjet glass printing uses an inkjet printer to deposit UV-curable ink directly on glass. Prior to the application of ink, the glass surface is treated with a special primer, like Glassprimer™ glass surface molecular activator. Once the primer and ink have been applied, the ink is exposed to UV light and permanently bonded to the glass. A similar technique uses heat-curable inks that are baked after being applied to glass. The advantage of UV-curing is that it is virtually instant and does not require firing.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass surface molecular activator, for use with UV-inkjet glass printing, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass surface molecular activator, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Mads Buddig, via FreeImages.com

The trick to transporting glass

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The trick to transporting glass

The trick to transporting glass

Glass is a pretty durable material – once it’s installed – but transporting glass can be tricky, especially if you need to transport large panes of glass for a decorating project. Here are a few tips for handling large pieces of glass.

Transporting glass accounts for the higher cost of prepainted glass!

Backpainted glass has become very popular as a home decorating material. Prepainted glass is available, but at significantly higher cost than you’d pay if you paint the glass yourself. Transporting glass accounts for some of the cost involved. Anytime you move glass, you run the risk of breakage and surface scratches, so the increased cost of prepainted glass reflects the risks and precautions associated with transporting a “finished” product.

If you choose to create your own backpainted glass, transportation of the glass will be the first order of business. Ordinary “float” glass should be handled with extreme care, not only because it’s fragile, but also because the edges of the glass may be rough cut, and can cause some nasty injuries.

For smaller pieces of glass, cover the edges gently with masking tape before transporting it. Don’t worry about pressing the tape securely to the glass. (That’s a good way to get cut!) Even loosely applied tape will help protect against injuries.

Cover the surface of the glass with cloth or thin foam packing sheets, which you can find at office supply stores and package-shipping services. This will provide some protection against surface scratches. It will not prevent breakage, but it will contain the mess should something unfortunate occur!

Glass needs support, so covering the glass on both sides with something with a little rigidity will help. Smaller panes of glass are often transported in a cardboard “sandwich,” which will offer some protection from breakage.

It seems counterintuitive, but the safest way to move glass is by putting it in an upright position. You’ll need to brace the glass to keep it rigid and upright while it’s being moved. You will only be able to use a standard vehicle to transport small panes of glass. Most passenger vehicles won’t accommodate an upright sheet of glass that’s more than about 2 feet high and a few feet in length.

If the pane you’re moving is large or long, consider having the glass shop deliver your piece. In addition to being awkward, large sheets of glass are heavy! A glass shop will have vehicles that are specially designed to support large glass sheets during transport. If the glass breaks during transport, the glass shop will replace it. On the other hand, if you’re transporting glass yourself and it breaks, replacement will be up to you!

One of the benefits of using Glassprimer™ glass paint is that you apply the paint after the glass has been transported. Glass is most vulnerable to damage when it’s being moved. By creating your own backpainted glass, you avoid the risk of transportation-related scratches and breakage.

If you’d like more information about working with Glassprimer™ glass paint, please check out the rest of our website. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Patrick Moore, via FreeImages.com

Glass staircases in interior design

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Glass staircases in interior design

Glass staircases in interior design

People associate glass with fragility, so they don’t consider it to be a viable material for decorating, much less structural applications. Glass is very good at keeping secrets, one of which is that it can be used in a variety of architectural applications, including floors, bridges and staircases!

What goes into a glass staircase?

Glass staircases can incorporate glass into the railings, but glass can also be used to create the treads – the business side of a staircase! Chemical treatment, tempering and laminating glass can make the glass strong enough to stand up to the demands placed on staircases. These treatments are so effective in strengthening the glass that staircases made of glass can be nearly 10 feet wide! At that width, glass staircases can be incorporated safely and easily into both residential and commercial spaces.

Glass staircases can be straight, curved or helical and can incorporate a variety of materials. They can also be made entirely of glass, or surrounded by glass. Any part of the staircase can be made of glass – including the stringers and treads. Typically, glass staircases don’t have risers. (Technically, they’re not necessary.) Some of the most dramatic glass staircases are cantilevered, which means the treads project directly from the support wall and appear to have no other support. Cantilevered stairs usually have no railing on the open side, although for safety reasons, they may have a railing attached to the support wall, giving the appearance of an “open” staircase.

Glass staircases are exceptionally elegant, and appear to “float” upward. Because the major elements of the staircase are transparent, designers can employ a number of lighting effects to change the appearance of the staircase. They blend seamlessly into any color scheme, and are at home in any modern design.

In addition to being “painted” with light, glass staircases can be painted with paint! Designers can use Glassprimer™ glass paint to create colored, opaque, translucent and frosted effects that complement the décor of any home or business. If you’d like more information about decorating with glass paint, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: A C, via Flickr.com