Different Types of Glass, Price, Use in Construction (2024)

From the time glass was discovered, it has been used to enhance the aesthetic value of structures and is a fascinating material. Among its many qualities, it is strong, brittle, can be blown and pressed, is chemically resistant, is an excellent electrical insulator, is available in various types, and is easy to clean. Different types of glasses are used in construction depending on their purpose. In spite of its higher cost, glass is becoming an increasingly popular building material. Glass is 100 percent recyclable, which means that it does not degrade during the recycling process and can even be used as a building material. Here are some of the types of glass used in the construction industry.

1. Float glass

When floating molten glass is put on a bed of molten metal, typically tin, float glass is made. This method gives a uniform thick sheet and can produce very flat surfaces. It is an excellent electric insulator and has low expansion and thermal conductivity.

Use in construction:

Float glass is used in residential architecture to construct small-scale windows. It is popular in commercial applications, primarily for facades and glazing. As a result of its even and smooth surface and sparkling transparency, it is a popular material for making glass furniture.

Price:

Transparent plain float glass price ranges from Rs.45 to 250/square feet for 4mm to 19mm thickness.

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2. Toughened glass

A toughened glass is made by exposing regular glass to extreme heat and then rapidly cooling it. The glass becomes more resilient due to this excessive heating and cooling process. Compared to ordinary glass, toughened glass fractures into smaller fragments of similar size and shape. The strength of this glass is four to five times greater than regular glass. It can easily be shaped into various forms as per requirement due to its alteration of chemical and thermal properties. It is low maintenance and can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth or a high-quality glass cleaner.

Use in construction:

Toughened glass is used widely in commercial, residential, hotels, and office buildings for partitions. It is also ideal for making interior doors, windows, facades, and decorative panels. Its unique properties make it the best option for building frameless shower doors, glass shelves, cabinets, glass tabletops, and washbasins. For the construction of glass staircases, escalators, balusters, and handrails, toughened glass is ideal.

Price:

Saint Gobain transparent toughened glass at Rs.145/square feet for 10mm thickness

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3. Laminated glass

Laminated glass comprises two sheets of ordinary glass bonded by a flexible PVB interlayer. The interlayer creates a strong and uniform bond with glass sheets even when the glass gets broken. It is shatterproof glass, so if it breaks, it sticks to the frame and does not shatter. Laminated glass can be produced in a range of thicknesses and with different combinations of glass or coatings to provide several benefits, such as reduced emissions and enhanced insulation. In addition to being thicker, it is also UV-proof and soundproof.

Use in construction:

The hardness of this glass makes it ideal for aquariums, glass floors, animal enclosures, skylights, glass stairs, and glass roofs. The safety feature of laminated glass is exceptionally useful in high-security areas such as banks, money exchange centers, jewellery shops, museums, and art galleries. In disaster-prone areas, where hurricanes and tornadoes occur frequently, laminated glass is the best construction material.

Price:

Saint Gobain transparent laminated toughened glass at Rs.345/square feet for 13.52 mm thickness

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4. Shatterproof glass

Shatterproof glass consists of several layers of glass sandwiched between layers of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). In case of destruction, it does not break into pieces. It cracks like a spiderweb instead of breaking into sharp, jagged pieces if broken. The interlayers of this glass reduce sound transmission and protect the interiors from UV rays.

Use in construction:

Shatterproof glass can protect your home or business from devastating damage from hurricanes, windstorms, tornadoes, and other severe weather. When you find yourself standing on a glass floor, you may have been standing on shatterproof glass, which can support dozens or hundreds of people.

Price:

The average price of Shatterproof glass is Rs.575/square feet in India.

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5. Tinted glass

Adding a colouring ion to flat glass creates tinted glass. The glass retains its basic properties while altering the transmission of solar energy and modifying the colour. Colouring ions like Iron oxide give green, sulphur blue, manganese dioxide gives black, cobalt gives blue, chromium gives dark green, titanium gives yellowish brown, and uranium gives yellow colour shades in the manufacturing of glass. Its availability in vibrant colours increases the aesthetics of a building.

Use in construction:

Offices, hospitals, and commercial buildings use tinted glass for curtain walls. It is also ideal for storefronts, atriums, skylights, and interior design projects.

Price:

Saint Gobain plain tinted glass ranges from Rs.60-140/square feet for 3 to 5mm thickness.

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6. Self-cleaning glass

The self-cleaning glass has a special hydrophilic and photocatalytic coating that uses light UV rays to activate its properties. By breaking down organic dirt, the photocatalytic action prevents it from sticking to the glass after it lands on it.

Use in construction:

There are many ways to install self-cleaning glass in residential construction, such as roof windows, bay windows, conservatories, roofs, patio doors, and glazed facades. It is a correct choice for areas that are difficult to reach for cleaning.

Price:

The average price of Self-cleaning glass is Rs.50/square feet in India. It ranges from Rs.80-145 for self-cleaning glasses of higher quality.

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7. Back painted glass

The glass that has paint on one side is known as back-painted glass. It is also known as lacquered glass. Back painted glass can be cut and polished after manufacturing if the dimensions need to be adjusted. Various colours and patterns are available in this type. From a range of pastels or striking colours, there is a back painted glass for every mood and personality. As the paint is behind a sturdy glass surface, it never has direct contact with heat, humidity, or moisture, which makes it maintenance-free. Multiple layers of paint make the glass durable, long-lasting, and strong.

Use in construction:

Back-painted glass replaces the surfacing materials such as tiles and laminates in the interior design industry. It is commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms as it has a great capacity to endure heat and humidity. It can be used in making furniture, wall claddings, and room partitions in commercial spaces. Also, in commercial spaces like stores, restaurants, entertainment areas, and shopping malls, back-painted glass can be used.

Price:

The average back-painted glass price is Rs.200/square feet in India.

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8. Glass blocks

Also known as glass brick, the glass block is a construction material made from glass. It appears in various colours, sizes, textures, and forms. Glass blocks provide visual obstruction while bringing in the light. The typical glass box sizes are 4 x 8″, 6 x 8″, 8 x 8″, and 2 to 3 inches thick. Glass blocks are not load bearing; they are kept together and joined by a cement-based mortar of reinforcing rods of steel in it.

Use in construction:

Glass blocks are used in walls, skylights, and pavement lights. They are used in windows of the basem*nt and wall panels of bathrooms. Glass blocks can be used for interior partition walls, exterior facade, decorative elements, stairwells, ceilings, and floors.

Price:

Glass box price ranges from Rs.160 to 205 per piece for the glass box size of 8” x 8” and 2-3 inches thick.

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References:

  1. “Back painted glass: An easiest way to create a luxurious effect” (2020) Aisglass.com. AIS Glass, 3 February. Available at: https://www.aisglass.com/back-painted-glass-an-easiest-way-to-create-a-luxurious-effect/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  2. BuilderSpace (2021) 10 types of glass used in construction, BuilderSpace. BuilderSpace.com, LLC. Available at: https://www.builderspace.com/types-of-glass-used-in-construction (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  3. Business Directory, India Business Directory,companies directory in India (no date) Indiamart.com. Available at: https://dir.indiamart.com/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  4. How is tinted glass made: A quick guide (2022) SmartFilm AZ. Available at: https://www.smartfilmaz.com/how-is-tinted-glass-made/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  5. Ibbotson, K. (2021) Advantages of installing shatterproof glass in buildings, Professional Decluttering and Organising Service. Available at: https://www.atidymind.co.uk/advantages-of-installing-shatterproof-glass-in-buildings/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  6. “Laminated glass: All you need to know” (2019) Aisglass.com. AIS Glass, 17 November. Available at: https://www.aisglass.com/laminated-glass-all-you-need-to-know/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  7. Mahajan, B. (2021) “Glass as A Building Material,” Civiconcepts. Bhushan Mahajan, 13 May. Available at: https://civiconcepts.com/blog/glass-building-material (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  8. Neenu, S. K. (2021) Glass blocks in construction, The Constructor. Available at: https://theconstructor.org/building/building-material/glass-blocks-construction/559217/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  9. What is float glass: properties & Co (no date) Dreieck-design.com. Available at: https://www.dreieck-design.com/en/guide/floatglass/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
  10. Wikipedia contributors (2022) Main Page, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Main_Page&oldid=1108085777.

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FAQs

What are the types of glass used in construction? ›

There are mainly three types of glass; annealed glass, heat-strengthened glass and toughened glass.

What is Type 1 and Type 2 glass? ›

The difference between type II and type I glass containers is that type II glass has a lower melting point. They are great at protecting the contents from weathering. However, type II glass is much easier to mould yet less likely to withstand hot environments.

Which glass is best quality? ›

RhinoShield brand tempered glass is best. It is one of the top-rated and best-selling tempered glass.

What are the 10 uses of glass? ›

Tableware (drinking glasses, plate, cups, bowls) Housing and buildings (windows, facades, conservatory, insulation, reinforcement structures) Interior design and furnitures (mirrors, partitions, balustrades, tables, shelves, lighting) Appliances and Electronics (oven doors, cook top, TV, computer screens, smart-phones)

What type of glass is used in most construction applications? ›

Float glass, also known as soda-lime glass, is the most widely used type of glass in construction.

What is Type 1 glass used for? ›

TYPE I GLASS / TYPE 1

Also known as "neutral," type 1 is a borosilicate glass with good chemical resistance. It is used for pharmaceuticals requiring the least reactive containers. Small volume parenterals and diagnostic reagents.

What are the 3 parts of glass? ›

Commercial glass composition

Such glasses are made from three main materials—sand (silicon dioxide, or SiO2), limestone (calcium carbonate, or CaCO3), and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).

What type of glass is used in commercial buildings? ›

Tempered glass is usually a legal requirement for commercial buildings. It's stronger than the glass used for homes. It's less harmful when broken because it shatters in small pieces. It's another factor that makes it different from residential glass, which breaks into larger shards which can be more dangerous.

What are the 4 properties of glass? ›

The main characteristics of glass are transparency, heat resistance, pressure and breakage resistance and chemical resistance.

What kind of glass is used in houses? ›

Low-E Glass

Low emissivity or Low-E refers to a surface condition that emits low levels of thermal energy. Thus, low-emissivity glass reflects thermal radiation or UV rays, and it is used in houses for its energy efficiency.

What is type 1 type 2 and type 3 glass? ›

Type I – borosilicate glass. Type II – treated soda-lime glass. Type III – regular soda-lime glass.

What is class 3 glass? ›

The last classification, class 3 is equivalent to an adult pushing firmly against the glass or a child running into it, the drop height for this class is 190mm.

What is glass classification? ›

Glass is an amorphous solid. Although the atomic-scale structure of glass shares characteristics of the structure of a supercooled liquid, glass exhibits all the mechanical properties of a solid.

What type of glass is unbreakable? ›

If you're interested in unbreakable glass that truly lives up to its name, polycarbonate panels are the type you want. Polycarbonate panels are significantly more difficult to break than both standard glass windows and laminated glass mentioned above.

What is 11D tempered glass? ›

11D Big Curved Edge Full Glue, Clarity and High-Response Touch Preserve, Fast exhaust, 9H hardness for maximum protection, Ultra thin but strong hardness, This tempered glass screen protector is chemical processed real glass, it features high transparency, high sensitivity and delicate touch feeling.

What glass is stronger than steel? ›

The new metallic glass is a microalloy featuring palladium, a metal that counteracts the intrinsic brittleness of glassy materials.

What are the 4 things that glass is made of? ›

The exact composition of glass may vary to meet specific applications requirements but the most commonly use type of glass, soda-lime glass, is made of silica sand, soda ash, limestone, dolomite and glass cullets (recycled glass).

What type of material is glass? ›

Glass is an amorphous material that lacks a long range periodic crystalline structure. Glasses can be formed through several methods but the most common method involves heating raw materials into a molten liquid and then rapidly cooling the liquid in such a way that the atoms remain in a randomly arranged atomic state.

What are uses for glass in engineering? ›

Besides the window-type applications, glass fibers are uses in insulation, sound deadening, as fillers in plastics, and as reinforcement in plastic laminates. Glasses can be used to transmit or shield radiation. Moreover photosensitive glasses for fluidic devices are used in machine controls.

What are the 3 types of glass fracture? ›

Terminology

Hackle is a line on the crack surface running parallel to the local direction of crack spreading. Radial cracks are fractures extending outward from the point of impact. Ream is an imperfection; nonhom*ogeneous layers of flat glass. Wallner lines (ridges) are rib-shaped marks with a wave-like pattern.

Why glass has high hardness value? ›

This high value is due to the strong chemical Si–O bonds of silicon dioxide. Imperfections of the glass, such as bubbles, and in particular surface flaws, such as scratches, have a great effect on the strength of glass and decrease it even more than for other brittle materials.

Which glass is used for wall? ›

Used for walls and partitions, laminated glass is common in high security buildings, businesses, and law enforcement vehicles. While transparent, laminated glass reinforces the safety of homes, offices, and drivers worldwide. The extra layer of plastic can be tinted or clear and helps with soundproofing.

Which glass is best for House? ›

So as far as safety is concerned, tempered glass is a great choice for your home windows. Clear float glass is also widely used for windows in Indian homes given its superior light transmission and optical clarity. This is a basic type of glass which is used for windows in domestic housing.

Which glass is used in flooring? ›

The most common type of glass used for glass flooring is the highly sturdy and durable tempered (or toughened glass). Tempered glass is tough and impact-resistant to lower the risk of impact-related damage.

What is type 2 glass? ›

Type II glass is a form of soda-lime glass, also called soda-lime-silica glass, by far the most common kind produced industrially. As the name suggests, its main ingredients besides sand are soda (sodium carbonate) and lime (calcium oxide).

What is Type B glass? ›

Class B glassware is typically manufactured from soda-lime glass, which is suitable for most materials but not for long-term chemical holding or exposure. Due to its soda-lime material, Class B glassware isn't as resistant to chemical and thermal conditions.

What is PCR glass? ›

PCR, which stands for post-consumer recycled content, means it is reclaimed from the end-user then crushed, melted down and used again. (Other recycled content in glass comes from broken or reclaimed scrap within the glass manufacturing process itself.)

How many glass types are there? ›

Nearly all commercial glasses fall into one of six basic categories or types. These categories are based on chemical composition. Within each type, except for fused silica, there are numerous distinct compositions. Soda-lime glass is the most common (90% of glass made), and least expensive form of glass.

What is glass in building construction? ›

It is most typically used as transparent glazing material in the building envelope, including windows in the external walls. Glass is also used for internal partitions and as an architectural feature. When used in buildings, glass is often of a safety type, which include reinforced, toughened and laminated glasses.

What is in tempered glass? ›

Simply put, tempered glass is a glass that has went through thermal treatment by hydrofluoric acid, thus resulting in a stronger, more scratch resistant and shatterproof material.

Which glass is best for rooftop? ›

Also known as tempered or safety glass, toughened glass is the quintessential glazing option for various fenestration solutions. This is because it is 4-5 times stronger than standard glass or annealed glass. Toughened glass is also highly durable and sturdy.

What is structural glass called? ›

Pigmented structural glass, also known generically as structural glass and as vitreous marble, and marketed under the names Carrara glass, Sani Onyx, and Vitrolite, among others, is a high-strength, colored glass.

What glass is used for high rise buildings? ›

Heat-Strengthened Glass

Thus, it has some of the strength of tempered glass, but without the optical distortion. This makes heat-strengthened glass the best choice for windows in high-rise buildings, which must be able to resist high winds, while still providing optical clarity.

What is glass formula? ›

The basic building block of silica has a tetrahedral pyramid shape with silicon at its centre linked symmetrically to four oxygen atoms at its corners: it has the chemical formula SiO4 and is negatively charged.

Is a glass waterproof? ›

Waterproof is something that doesn't let the water go inside.  For example: rubber, metal, glass, plastic.

What is glass density? ›

The density of glass is 2.5, which gives flat glass a mass of 2.5kg per m2 per mm of thickness, or 2500 kg per m3. The compressive strength of glass is extremely high: 1000 N/mm2 = 1000 MPa.

What is the weakest type of glass? ›

Generally, annealed is the weakest glass, followed by heat-strengthened (approximately twice as strong as annealed) and fully tempered (approximately four times as strong as annealed).

Is there bullet proof glass? ›

In reality, bulletproof glass does not exist, and it's not always made of glass. Most bullet-resistant glass products are actually made of polycarbonate, acrylic, or glass-clad polycarbonate. The level of protection offered will depend on the material used, how it is manufactured, as well as its thickness.

Which glass is strong as diamond? ›

The (tentatively named) AM-III, a transparent, somewhat yellowish material made entirely of carbon, reached 113 gigapascals (GPa) in a Vickers hardness test.

What type of glass is used for ceiling? ›

Both laminated and tempered glass works well for roof lights, but tempered glass is better in terms of strength as well as cost value. Laminated glass is a bit expensive so tempered glass takes the lead here. To add some extra aesthetic appeal, you can go for tinted tempered glass.

What kind of glass is used for doors? ›

Building codes and federal safety regulations will require that the glass in your front door, and for that matter all doors, uses a safety glazing product, such as tempered or laminated glass.

Why is glass used in construction? ›

Glass can absorb, refract or transmit light. It has the ability to make any building look more stunning and modern. Using glass in building facades and interiors enhances the ambience. Interiors appear larger and more open, with abundant natural lighting.

How many types of construction windows are there? ›

Windows are classified as Fixed windows, Sliding windows, Pivoted windows, Double-hung windows, Louvered windows, Casem*nt windows, Metal windows, Sash windows, Corner windows, Bay windows, Dormer windows, Clerestory windows, Lantern windows, Gable windows, Ventilators, and Skylights. 2.

Which glass is best for walls? ›

Used for walls and partitions, laminated glass is common in high security buildings, businesses, and law enforcement vehicles. While transparent, laminated glass reinforces the safety of homes, offices, and drivers worldwide. The extra layer of plastic can be tinted or clear and helps with soundproofing.

Is glass expensive in construction? ›

Glass walls are generally more expensive than walls made of traditional materials like bricks or drywall. However, the total cost of installation becomes lower for glass as the building gets taller. While the cost of the walls themselves remain constant, glass walls are much easier to lift than individual bricks.

Which glass is used for roof? ›

Laminated safety glass is often recommended for roof glazing, although toughened glass is sufficient for some overhead glazing applications.

Which type of glass is used in roof? ›

Glass roof is composed of laminated or tempered glass tiles. These clear tiles have excellent impact resistance and durability.

What are 3 windows called? ›

Picture the three sides of a bay window, and you'll understand what triple casem*nts are. They are a beautiful addition to any home and a great way to add some extra drama and style to a room. They look beautiful above a large kitchen counter or stove.

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