Types Of Glasses – 8 [Types, Advantages, and Glass Properties]

There are many types of glasses used in construction for different purposes, and Glass is a hard substance that may be brittle or transparent.

In this process, the fusion process is used to manufacture glasses and is fused with lime, soda, and some other admixtures and then rapidly cooled.

Many types of glasses are used for construction purposes and architectural purposes in engineering, such as annealed glass, heat-strengthened glass, tempered glass, etc. There are also many other types of mirrors.

There are many types of glasses used in construction, such as;

1. Float Glass
2. Shatterproof Glass
3. Laminated Glass
4. Extra Clean Glass
5. Chromatic Glass
6. Tinted Glass
7. Toughened Glass
8. Glass Blocks

Float Glass:

From sodium silicate and calcium silicate float, glasses are manufactured, and this type of glass is flat and transparent. From 2mm to 20mm thickness of the glass is available, and from 6 to 36 kg/m2, its width is available.

In shops front, public places, etc., these types of glasses are used commonly.

Advantages:

There are the following advantages of float glass such as;

1. Without any ripple float, glass is good in planeness.
2. In making mirrors and car glass in good shape, float glass can be used.
3. Float glass is pure with high transparency
4. Float glasses are without air bubbles.
5. These glasses are easy to cut and uneasy to be damaged.

Shatterproof Glass:

For windows, skylights, floors, etc., shatterproof glass is used, and in its making process, some plastic polyvinyl butyric is added. So, when it breaks, it cannot form sharp-edged pieces. These types of glasses are strong and prevent breaks-in.

Advantages:

There are the following advantages of shatterproof glass such as;

1. Eliminate accidents.
2. Prevent breaks-in.
3. These types of glasses reduce the instance of weather-related damages.
4. Reduce energy and insurance costs.

Laminated Glass:

Laminated glass is one of the types of drinks which is the combination of layers of ordinary glass, and that’s why it has more weight than other types of mirrors.

Laminated glass has more thickness and soundproof and is used for bridges, aquariums, etc.

Advantages:

There are the following advantages of laminated glass such as;

1. Laminated glass gives good security that why people use these types of mirrors.
2. These types of glasses are uneasy to break and give safety.
3. It is good in sound reduction.
4. Protection from adverse weather conditions.

Extra Clean Glass:

There are two unique properties in different clean types of glasses: hydrophilic and photo-catalytic. It acts as stain proof and gives a beautiful appearance because of these properties. In addition, extra clean glass maintenance is easy.

This glass provides a very clear view and is a colorless transparent glass and raw material that is free from iron impurities is used in the manufacturing process of these types of glasses.

Advantages:

There are the following advantages of extra clean glass such as;

1. Without the distortion of colors, extra clean glass offers a clear view.
2. Its reflective property is decreased due to low iron content.
3. It provides more heat gain.
4. It increases the aesthetics of the structure due to high clarity in vision.

Chromatic Glass:

In ICUs, meeting rooms, etc., chromatic glass is used, and it can control the transparent efficiency of glass, and from daylight, it protects the interior.

This glass may be thermos-chromatic, which has heat-sensitive lamination, electro-chromic, electric lamination over it, and photo-chromic, which has light-sensitive lamination.

Advantages:

There are the following advantages of chromatic glass such as;

1. In ICUs, meeting rooms, etc., chromatic glass is used.
2. The transparent efficiency of glass is controlled.
3. From daylight, it protects the interior.

Tinted Glass:

Tinted glass is one of the types of glasses, and tinted glass is a colored glass and to produce color glass a color-producing ingredients are mixed into the usual glass mix.

To produce various colors in glasses different types of ions are used such as;

Advantages:

There are the following advantages of tinted glass such as;

1. Sun protection and energy efficiency.
2. These types of glasses improve security.
3. Low maintenance.
4. Increased privacy.

Toughened Glass:

These types of glasses are durable with low visibility and are available in all thicknesses, but it forms small granular chunks when it is broken, which is dangerous.

Toughened Glass is used for mobile screen protectors, fire-resistant doors, etc.

Advantages:

There are the following advantages of toughened Glass such as;

1. These types of glasses are high in strength.
2. Provide safety.
3. Heat resistance.
4. Sound reduction.
5. It is much more durable.

Glass Blocks:

From two different halves, glass blocks or glass bricks are manufactured, and while the melting process of Glass, they are pressed and annealed together.

Glass blocks are one of the types of glasses used for architectural purposes in constructing walls, skylights, etc., and when light is passed through it, they provide an aesthetic appearance.

Advantages:

There are the following advantages of glass blocks such as;

1. Higher energy cost saving.
2. Improved security and privacy.
3. Enhanced curb appeal.
4. Reduced maintenance.

Properties of Glass:

There are the following properties of Glass such as;

1. Transparency
2. Hardness & Brittleness
3. Weather Resistance
4. Insulation
5. Chemical Resistance

Transparency:

Transparency is the property of Glass which creates a visual connection with the outside as you can look from both sides.

Hardness & Brittleness:

Against applied load, the Glass is a hard material as it has excellent impact resistance, and also it is a brittle material and may break immediately.

Weather Resistance:

Glass can withstand the backlash of rain, wind, and sun and can absorb and reflect light, and Glass has a low thermal value.

Insulation:

Against heat, electricity, and electromagnetic radiation, Glass is an excellent insulator, and some special glass has high resistance against ultra-violet, infrared, and x-rays.

Chemical Resistance:

Under different environmental conditions, Glass can withstand chemical reactions, and it has excellent resistance to most chemicals.