Glass Façade Overview
A glass façade is an exterior elevation of glass that wraps the external of a building. The origin of the word façade is from old French and means ‘front face’. Glass facades offer benefits like energy efficiency, natural lighting, and aesthetic appeal. Façade glass is used in construction of building facades, typically made from tempered or laminated glass.
Structural Considerations for Glass Façades
The Curtain Wall handles all imposed loads on it and keeps air and water from penetrating the building. High-performance materials like tempered or laminated glass are frequently used in glass façades. In structural glass facades, the glass panels themselves provide the main structural support.
Facade Glazing Systems
The term ‘glazing’ refers to the glass component of building’s façade or internal surfaces. Wood, aluminium, or combinations of these materials are used for facade glazing systems. Stick Curtain Walling (SWC) may be defined as non-load bearing walls, usually suspended in front of structural steel or concrete framing. Glazing performs the function of thermal insulation of the building wall structure.
Choosing Façade Glass
Factors in choosing façade glass include energy use, safety, security, acoustics, and looks. Proper installation by trained professionals ensures performance. Evaluating glass samples up close is crucial to choose the right product. Structural glass takes building loads without frames, and framing systems need maximum size and weight regulation.