The clean lines and contemporary looks of glass have made it an increasingly popular choice of material when enhancing the design of your property or making more space.
With structural glass the options extend way beyond traditional ideas of glazed doors, windows and conservatories.
Instead, structural glazing opens up a new world of bespoke glass designs for both a modern look, or to create an unobtrusive extension to a period property.
Used to create stunning glass walls, convention-defying glass floors and ceilings filled with natural light, structural glazing is a perfect partner to innovative building designs.
What is structural glass?
The difference in structural glazing lies in its strength, which is what allows it to be used as a weight-bearing material.
As opposed to traditional windows and doors that fit into an existing structure, structural glazing is used to form the structure.
This is made possible through the technical innovations that have transformed the uses and purposes of glass. Structural glass is laminated, thermo-treated glazing panels that have been designed and created to hold a structural weight.
The specification of the project will affect the specification of the glass, for example, the demands on structural glazing used in a glass wall will be different to that used in a floor.
As opposed to a traditional conservatory where glazed panels are supported by a brick wall, a glass extension will use structural glazing for the entire structure with no use of bricks.
How is structural glazing supported?
A glass extension is the perfect way to maximise the view from your home or to make the most of natural light.
To achieve this, visual supports are, as a rule, kept to a minimum with slimline aluminium structures, steel hinges or reinforced glass used to secure the panes of glass.
A huge bonus of using these strong materials is that they also offer excellent longevity and provide the same durability as standard building materials used in the construction of a property.
Glass extensions, walls, doors, ceilings and roofs are secure and robust and offer a high-end, luxury finish to any property.
Why choose structural glass?
Glass can transform a building into a showstopper. Nothing opens up the outdoor of a home like a seamless glass wall, making the outside truly part of the inside.
Bringing a glamourous cutting edge, glass-styling works in staircases, corridors and ceilings from an interior perspective.
Glass ceilings are an excellent way to bring more light into your home, especially if you are flanked on both sides by neighbours whose homes block light from the side.
In a long room, a glass ceiling is an excellent way to help disperse extra light within the interior.
If you want to add extra space to your home but do not want to risk losing light, a glass extension is the perfect choice.
All that natural light will also help to keep electricity bills down.
It’s not all about the light though, the use of structural glass is a good way to maximise the heat from sunlight, helping to keep your home warm – and your bills down.
If you are looking to extend your home but are struggling to find a brick design that compliments your property, or want to make alterations to a period property, a glass extension will allow you to expand without introducing an obtrusive design.
In a period property, the use of structured glass can help to avoid important or valuable parts of the property being obscured or covered up.
Structural glass is sure to make whatever changes you introduce a standout highlight of your home.
Safe, aesthetically excellent and the ideal way to open up your home to the natural light of the outdoors, structural glass will afford your home a luxury edge – and let you enjoy luxury living.
Speak to the structural glazing experts
Sightline offers a range of bespoke structural glass solutions to help you bring the outside in. Our team of specialists will be able to advise you on the design, manufacture and installation of structural glass.
To find out more about how Sightline’s structural glass could transform your building project please get in touch.
