Architectural Systems
Architectural Glass Solutions
Glass is where most of the envelope's performance is decided. Frame selection sets the sightline; the glazing build-up sets the thermal, solar, acoustic and safety behaviour.
What it is
Architectural glass reaches a project as a build-up: a sequence of substrates, coatings, interlayers and cavities selected to satisfy several requirements at once.
Reliance coordinates glass supply as part of the system it sits in, so the build-up, the frame and the hardware are specified against the same criteria.
Where it is used
- —Façade and curtain wall glazing
- —Window and door systems
- —Balustrades, railings and structural glass applications
- —High-performance and low-energy building envelopes
What it resolves
A single build-up has to answer thermal transfer, solar gain, glare, acoustics, safety and sometimes fire or security requirements.
Those requirements pull against each other. Resolving them is a selection exercise, not a product purchase.
Configurations
Insulating glass units
Sealed cavity units with spacer and gas fill, the standard basis for glazed envelope performance.
Laminated glass
Two or more plies bonded by an interlayer, used for safety, acoustic and post-breakage retention requirements.
Tempered and heat-strengthened glass
Heat-treated substrates for increased strength and controlled breakage behaviour.
Coated glass
Low-emissivity and solar-control coatings selected against the orientation and climate.
Vacuum insulating glass
Evacuated cavity construction for slim, thermally efficient build-ups.
The View Glass Solutions / Dedicated architectural glass platform
Architectural glass, explored in greater depth.
For deeper exploration of architectural glass, processing, applications and technical considerations, continue to The View Glass Solutions. Reliance Fenestration coordinates glass within complete fenestration and façade packages — see curtain wall and façade systems, window systems and quality assurance.
Visit The View Glass Solutions↗(opens in a new tab)theviewglass.com
Specification considerations
- —Orientation, climate and solar exposure
- —Thermal target versus daylight and glare control
- —Safety glazing requirements for the location in the building
- —Acoustic requirements on urban and transport-adjacent sites
- —Size, weight and handling limits through the supply chain
Standards and documentation
Safety glazing, structural glass and heat-treatment requirements differ by jurisdiction. Reliance establishes which standards govern the project and requests the manufacturer's documentation for the specified build-up.
How Reliance supports supply
- —Build-up coordination with the frame and hardware specification
- —Manufacturer evaluation and documentation review
- —Inspection coordination and glass-specific protective packing
- —Consolidation, export documentation and delivery to port or site