Considered primarily as a window material, glass has evolved to become an essential element of modern architecture. Its use in construction offers a multitude of functional and aesthetic advantages, contributing to the creation of iconic structures around the world.
In this article, we look at the key reasons for the growing use of glass in building, and the different uses SADEV offers.
Glass has always played a leading role in architecture and construction. Its aesthetic use, its ability to let in natural light and its energy-efficiency benefits make it a preferred choice for designers and builders.
The advantages of using glass
Durability, longevity and safety
Glass is a durable material that resists fading and corrosion. When properly maintained, it can retain its beauty and functionality for decades. This means less construction waste and fewer resources consumed in replacement. In terms of safety, toughened glass, laminated glass and bullet-resistant glass are used to enhance building security, offering protection against intrusion, weather and even gunfire. Glass is also an infinitely recyclable material. The glass industry actively recycles its materials, making it an environmentally-friendly choice.
Energy efficiency
Glass is now designed to provide effective thermal insulation. Low-emissivity glazing and double-glazed windows reduce heat loss in winter and limit excessive heat in summer. This translates into lower energy consumption for heating and cooling, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Recyclable glass
Glass’s recyclability makes it the material of choice for new environmental standards. The use of recycled glass (also known as cullet) in the manufacture of new glass products reduces demand for raw materials and saves energy.
Natural light and comfort
One of the most obvious advantages of glass in construction is its ability to let light in. Glass windows and glazed facades reduce dependence on artificial lighting during the day, creating a bright and pleasant indoor environment. This natural luminosity promotes the well-being of occupants.
Design innovant
Glass also offers exceptional design flexibility. Architects can play with the shape, color and texture of glass to create unique and expressive buildings. Iconic structures such as the Franck Gehry-designed Fondation Louis Vuitton in France demonstrate how glass can be used to create spectacular visual effects while blending harmoniously into the urban environment.
By judiciously integrating glass into buildings, we can create more sustainable, comfortable and beautiful living spaces. Helping to combat current environmental challenges such as climate change.
At the end of the day, glass is much more than a building material; it’s an invaluable ally in our quest for a greener, brighter future.
The uses of glass
Advances in glass technology have enabled the development of energy-efficient products. Low-emissivity glazing and solar control glass help reduce energy consumption by regulating the heat and sunlight entering buildings.
Applications that SADEV has successfully integrated into its solutions.
Photovoltaic and low-carbon glass
It’s now possible to combine glass and solar energy with “photovoltaic glazing”. Photovoltaic cells absorb the sun’s rays and redirect them to the edges of the glass, creating electricity. This technology has since evolved, enabling customized printing.
Photovoltaic glass facades have appeared in recent decades, such as the Hikari tower in central Lyon, France.
Ranges of glass with a reduced carbon footprint have also emerged in construction. These products are designed for low-carbon buildings and to reduce the CO2 footprint of companies. Their technical performance and appearance remain identical, and they can be used for a wide range of applications (insulation, acoustic, etc.).
Solar shadding system
Still on the facades of buildings, sun exposure can be managed to regulate thermal comfort using solar shadding system. These sunshades are used to reduce discomfort caused by the sun’s rays, whether oriented horizontally or vertically. IMREDD University in Nice, France.
The solar shadding system can be made of metal, wood, concrete or glass, and some are even automatically adjustable according to the position of the sun. These glass louvers can also incorporate photovoltaic cells.
SADEV offers different solar shadding solutions under the ICARE brand, with dedicated support for every project.
Glass cladding
This cladding system is being developed for the external insulation of buildings, combining the efficiency of traditional insulation methods with the aesthetic advantages of glass. This method offers the most up-to-date design possibilities, with silk-screen printing, laminating, photovoltaics and much more…
SADEV offers both a drilled Variance P system and a pinched Variance C system.
This SADEV solution was used in the renovation of the former PARISTECH university, with alternating levels of glass creating a dynamic effect that is as discreet as it is effective.
Curtain walls
In today’s architecture, the curtain wall is an essential element that combines design and performance to create luminous buildings.
Glass is a fundamental component of this solution, enveloping a building while guaranteeing its water and air tightness.
Curtain walls are not just aesthetically pleasing: they also contribute to a building’s energy efficiency, meeting current thermal standards such as RE2020. Certain types of glazing maximize solar gain in winter and repel heat in summer.
The choice of glass therefore has a direct impact on a building’s energy costs and the well-being of its occupants.
The future of glass in the building industry is bright, with many innovations and trends emerging that emphasize the use of glass.
Here are just a few of the trends and potential developments for the future of glass in buildings: intelligent and interactive glass, ecological architecture, etc.
Glass will continue to play an important role in the construction industry, thanks to its unique properties and its ability to meet growing needs for energy efficiency, sustainability and innovative design.
Technological advances and architectural innovations promise to push back the boundaries of glass use in tomorrow’s buildings.
