Glass is a versatile material that plays a crucial role in countless industries, from modern architecture to everyday household items. At Performance Glass, we take pride in offering a broad range of glass types tailored to meet the demands of a wide range of projects. In this blog post, we provide insights into the different types of glass available and their uses.
The Different Types of Glass
Before ordering glass for your project, you should understand the different types of glass, and their uses. From flat glass to decorative glass, we’ll explain how each is used.
Flat Glass
What is Flat Glass Used For?
Flat glass is the foundation for many of the ordinary glass types you see in everyday life. At Performance Glass, flat glass is often processed further to create double glazing or other specialised glass for residential and commercial applications. It is a popular glass type and serves as the base material for numerous products, including double glazed units, appliances, windscreens, and electronics.
Toughened Glass
Safety glass, including toughened glass also known as tempered glass, is designed for durability and safety. The manufacturing process creates internal stresses that make it much stronger than standard glass. If it does break, safety glass shatters into small, blunt fragments, making it ideal for areas where safety is a priority.
What is Toughened Glass Used For?
Toughened glass is commonly used in areas requiring enhanced safety and strength, such as in window glass, doors and roof lanterns. Safety glass is also a preferred material for shower doors due to its safety features.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is a safety-conscious type of glass which many use in high-traffic areas. It consists of layers of glass bound together by an interlayer, meaning that even if the glass shatters, the fragments remain in place.
What is Laminated Glass Used For?
Laminated glass panes are a go-to solution for shop fronts, car windscreens, and areas where security is a concern.
Fire-Rated Glass
Fire-rated glass has a special design to withstand high temperatures and prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different areas of a building.
What is Fire-Rated Glass Used For?
It is primarily used in fire-resistance-rated walls, doors, and windows to enhance safety in both commercial buildings and residential spaces.
Blinds in Glass
Sealed within the glass unit, blinds in glass not only provide a sleek appearance and ease of maintenance but also allow natural light to enter while enhancing privacy and integrating seamlessly with doors and window glass.
What are Blinds in Glass Used For?
Blinds in glass help to maintain privacy and prevent glare from the sun. These are particularly common in doors with large glass panels such as bifold doors. You can use them in both domestic and commercial settings, such as hospitals.
Oversized Glass Units
Oversized glass units are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary architecture, offering plenty of natural light and an uninterrupted view of the surrounding landscape.
What are Oversized Glass Units Used For?
Oversized glass units are commonly used in architectural and design projects where large openings or expansive views are desired. These types of glass are ideal for creating stunning glass walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and spacious glass doors.
Acoustic Glass
Acoustic glass is a specialised type of energy-efficient glass designed to reduce noise transmission between spaces. It typically consists of multiple layers with a sound-damping interlayer, effectively absorbing sound waves and minimising external noise.
What is Acoustic Glass Used For?
Acoustic glass is commonly used in environments where sound control is essential, such as in residential buildings, offices, schools, and hospitals. Its primary applications include windows, doors, and partition walls, providing a quieter and more comfortable atmosphere for occupants.
Decorative, Mirrored Glass and Tinted Glass
At Performance Glass, we specialise in manufacturing high-quality, bespoke glass solutions tailored to your project’s specific needs. Alongside high-performance tempered and laminated glass, we also supply decorative or patterned glass options to suit every bespoke design.
We offer a wide range of decorative glass solutions including:
– Switchable Glass
– Conventional and Structural Glass Balustrade
– Standard and Coloured Mirrored glass and Reflective Glass
– Sandblast Designs
– Any Colour Glass Cladding
Glass For Every Possibility
Now that you’ve explored the different types of glass and their uses, you may have an idea of what your project needs.
No matter what you are looking for, at Performance Glass, there is a solution for you. With our different types of glass including energy efficient solutions, coated glass, or large scale glass for commercial buildings, we can help.
With our focus on both rapid delivery and premium products, we ensure that your project, whether large or small, receives the best in glass technology and customer support. Our manufacturing process ensures absolute precision in crafting every glass type to your needs. If you’re looking for expert advice or a custom glass solution, contact us here at Performance Glass today on 01422 861116.