You might think that there isn’t much variation to be found in glass. That is as far from the truth as anything can be. There are multiple types of glass based on their method of manufacture and their uses. Since glass allows for a myriad of uses, it is widely used across a variety of industries. From extensive use in architecture to being used for bottled and jarred packaged goods, there seems to be no end to applications of glass.
Following is a list of the various types of glass that are being extensively used across the globe. Their uses are also listed along with the type.
Float Glass
This is a type of glass that gets its name based on its manufacturing technique. The floating technique used in the making of this glass is that the thickness of the glass is uniform. This type of glass has applications in window panes as well as double glazing. The construction industry sees a lot of use for float glass as it serves the purpose while giving a modern appearance to the building it is installed in.
Solar Control Glass
This is another type of glass that is slowly seeing rising application in construction. With people becoming more conscious about energy consumption and reducing their carbon footprint, solar control glass is seeing increased use. This type of glass reduces the need for internal cooling through air conditioning.
It is mainly used for temperature control. The temperature would be cool in summers, while the house or apartment would be heated in winters. This glass can be used in the skylight or other windows of the house.
Toughened Glass
This is a glass that is created keeping structural integrity in mind. The glass is manufactured by cooling so that its application focuses on the safety of the user. In the case of any trauma encountered by the glass, it will shatter into pieces rather than crack and hamper visibility. Not breaking into shards is a great way to ensure the safety of everyone in proximity. The use of this glass is primarily for shelves, tabletops, glass doors, and external glass barriers in buildings.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is used by people who want privacy in their lives. Tinted glass finds use in windows and doors in both buildings as well as cars. Tinted glass is made so that it blocks peeping eyes from interfering in your private business. No sunlight is blocked, and tired glass doors and windows function as proper windows. Tinted windows are designed to also block harmful rays like UV radiation so that your family is always protected.
Painted Glass
Painted glass has varying aesthetic applications. Architects and construction contractors often use this glass for stylistic and modern looks. Apart from being used in windows and doors, painted glass is also used in tables or as decorative additions to shelves and cupboards or almirah doors. Painted glass is slowly seeing an emerging demand as people are getting more interested in experimenting and finding a signature interior design for their homes. Since it can be altered based on individual needs, it can be safely said that painted glass is here to stay.
Mirrored Glass
This list will never be complete if we fail to mention mirrored glass. This is something that will come into mind immediately if you think about the applications of glass. The best way to describe a mirrored glass is to define a mirror, a reflective surface that provides different levels of clarity to the objects in front of it. Mirrored glass is constructed by applying a metal coating to one side of the glass and then covering it with cardboard or wood for opacity.
Often used as decoration in multiple products, mirrors are a type of glass everyone uses every day. It has an array of applications. Apart from being used as a mirror in bathrooms and dressing rooms, mirrored glass is used in installation in pieces of furniture for aesthetic purposes.
Patterned Glass
Patterned glass is created by using heat to create different designs on the surface of a glass product being manufactured. Heat has to be uniform for a uniformly patterned glass. It can be the manufacturer’s choice if an irregular patterned glass is to be manufactured. Patterned glass can be used in storage bottles in the kitchen or bathroom as it adds to the appeal of the room. If you use a glass bottle for mouthwash, patterned glass can provide an additional eye-catching quality.
On a grander scale, patterned glass finds use in doors and windows when the view to the other side is supposed to be distorted. Patterned glass is in high demand in the construction market because it gives a good look to the room without compromising the intention of keeping something out of sight. Sandblasted glass is a type of patterned glass.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass finds use for safety purposes is made in such a way that it protects the individual from attacks and high impact. It will not break like toughened glass, and that is why bulletproof glass and burglar-proof glass are a type of laminated glass. Unlike toughened glass which shatters on impact protecting the individual from shards, laminated glass is constructed out of multiple layers, which acts as shock-absorbing and would crack rather than break.
Flat Glass
Perhaps the second most common type of glass after mirrored glass. Float glass is widely seen being used in windows and doors of buildings. Flat glass is made as to the first step of making float glass. Like float glass, flat glass types have a uniform thickness. It is often double glazed like Bristol double glazing before being used in construction. It tends to break into shards, so it is only used when safety is not an issue. It is a flat glass which is used in phone screens and electronic screens.
Conclusion
The various types of glass have penetrated our daily lives to such an extent that we cannot imagine our lives without it. From safety to necessity, glass is used extensively, and glass manufacturing has the entire world dependent on it.
