Viridian Products

Selecting the right glass

Glass plays a unique and important role in building design and the environment. It affects design, appearance, thermal performance and occupant comfort. The selection of the right glass is a crucial component of the design process.

By identifying key issues at the design stage, glass products can be selected to match your specific application. Viridian™ engineers are available to assist when glass is used in structural applications and systems such as Viridian Structural Glazing Systems.™

Product selection and applications

Viridian products are categorised by their primary application so that it is easy to find and compare products. Each category is identified by a symbol representing the application. Many glass products are multi-purpose or can be manufactured to perform many functions.

Specifying

Some of the key decisions that need to be considered in the selection of glass in facades, interiors and glazing systems are listed below. Solar and thermal performance will often be a high priority decision along with appearance (colour, transparency and reflectivity).

This information may lead to a glass product type with additional attributes such as safety, security, decoration, noise control and self-cleaning that can be selected.

Site limitations

This site is not a comprehensive analysis of all the parameters which may be relevant to any particular glass design. Designers should be aware that further information may be required to develop a suitable solution.

Breakage and minimising risk

How glass behaves in the case of accidental or intentional breakage must be considered and while glazing codes and regulations provide the minimum requirements, they do not necessarily constitute fitness for purpose. Attention is drawn to the section in this guide on the heat soak treatment of Viridian toughened glass and the strength recommendations of glass in loading and glazing codes.

Standards now call for toughened laminated glass in some applications such as high level balustrades and overhead glazing. This type of glass offers the optimum in structural strength and safety in the event of breakage.

Considerations of breakage also need to be considered when determining the type of glass used in ballistic or bomb and blast applications. As long as the type and level of threat can be established, Viridian is able to provide a glass combination to meet your requirements.

The chart below shows information required from designers and engineers to find the right glass product. Once the appearance and functional requirements have been developed by the designer, the structural engineer will provide the loads and wind pressure, the mechanical engineer the thermal performance requirements and the acoustic consultant the acoustic requirements.