History

History 5000BC 5000BC Egypt - Merchants Egypt - Merchants 1600BC 1600BC Mesopotamia - Glass Making Mesopotamia - Glass Making 27BC 27BC Syria – Glass Blowing Syria – Glass Blowing 100AD 100AD Romans – Clear Glass (adding) Romans – Clear Glass (adding) Pompei Pompei

History 11th & 12th Centuries 11th & 12th Centuries Germany – Glass sheets Germany – Glass sheets 17th Century 17th Century British - Reflects better (adding) British - Reflects better (adding) French – Mirrors (Polishing) French – Mirrors (Polishing) 20th Century 20th Century Squeezing glass – Double glazing Squeezing glass – Double glazing

Types

Types Oridinary sheet glass Oridinary sheet glass No special equipment No special equipment Cheaper Cheaper Float glass (plate) Float glass (plate) Molten glass is floated onto a bed of molten tin Molten glass is floated onto a bed of molten tin Energy efficient glass Energy efficient glass Sun to pass through in one direction. Sun to pass through in one direction. Covering is not very robust – double glazed Covering is not very robust – double glazed Self cleaning glass Self cleaning glass New treatment New treatment Patterned (obscured glass) Patterned (obscured glass) Special designs Special designs

Types Toughened (Safety glass) Toughened (Safety glass) Explode - Small Pieces Explode - Small Pieces Laminated glass Laminated glass 1 or two sheets 1 or two sheets Flexible material inside (Break) Flexible material inside (Break) Any shapes Any shapes Mirrors Mirrors 6mm thick 6mm thick Silvered Silvered Unframed Unframed Picture frame glass Picture frame glass High transparency High transparency Low reflective properties Low reflective properties

Uses

Glass is the transparent solid that we see around us on a regular basis. With time, glass has come to be used in various forms. This brittle object is used on a large scale and has gained certain importance. As light is visible due to the absence of transition states, the glass appears to be transparent. In the initial years, glass hardly had any use, today it used for bottles, bulbs, dining sets, mirrors and also to decorate your homes.

The spectacles that you wear are also made of glass. When you walk through a laboratory you will find all the containers made out of glass. This is because it helps a person to check certain levels of chemicals and so on. Your eyewear also has the glass shaped in rectangular or oval shape. Glass also makes a fantastic tabletop and you can use it as a center or coffee table. Glass can be manufactured in any shape and can be put in any possible use.

Glass can come in thin or thick sizes. Depending upon the use, one can choose the right shape and size. To add a stylish look to your home, you can use glass dining table. To make the most of your dining table, you can set your eyes on some well-crafted glass dining sets. Today even mirrors are popularly used for decorating homes. Mirrors are made of glass it self. Car and home windowpanes are also made out of glass. Today, walk into any corporate office and you would find the entire building made out of glass. For buildings, strong and durable glass is used. These offices normally use soundproof glass to ensure safety and a peaceful atmosphere at work.

Glass is used in combination with wood to create furniture. Most tabletops and cabinets have this combination. The glass is resistant to high and low temperatures, which gives it a longer life. Glass can be used to come up with artistic work as well. You can mould it into tiny animals or abstracts and decorate your home. The chandeliers that enhance the look of your home are also made of glass.

Always look out for a well-known manufacturer to purchase quality and durable glass. Cheap glass will not last long, making it difficult to replace the windowpanes ever so often. To make unique use of glass, you can opt for customized ones that look simply astonishing. Again you need to get in touch with a good dealer who can offer you the best. When purchasing glass, make sure you go for those that are easy to maintain and taken care of.

Uses in Architecture

External Decoration External Decoration Saves energy (bad conductor of heat) Saves energy (bad conductor of heat) Lighting Lighting Sense of openness Sense of openness Views Views Beauty Beauty