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“Optimise Glass Selection and Framing Design for Energy Efficiency”

By: Manish Kumar, TDS Coetus Pvt. Ltd.

The choice of the best type of glass for a project will depend on several factors, including the building’s location, climate, and design requirements. High-performance glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient may be preferred to help reduce the cooling load on the building. In a noisy environment, soundproof glass may be chosen to help noise reduction. Glass façades can be designed to meet specific performance requirements through a combination of glass selection, framing systems, and insulation.

Cons of Glass Façade Buildings: Glass façades can lead to increased heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter, resulting in higher energy consumption for heating and cooling. It can cause glare and visual discomfort for occupants, which can negatively impact productivity and occupant satisfaction. It’s transparency can compromise privacy for occupants, particularly in urban areas with high population density. Glass façade s can pose a significant hazard to birds, resulting in injury or death.

Glass façade s can result in higher energy consumption for heating and cooling, which can contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Glass production requires significant energy and resources, and sourcing sustainable glass materials can be a challenge. It can create thermal bridging, which can increase energy consumption and reduce energy efficiency. It is difficult to recycle and may end up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation.

Mitigation Strategies: Optimise glass selection and framing design for energy efficiency; use shading devices to reduce solar heat gain and glare; integrate bird friendly design features into the façade, such as bird-friendly glass or fritted patterns; incorporate sustainable glass sourcing & manufacturing practices, such as using recycled glass or implementing closed-loop manufacturing processes; consider end-of-life options, such as glass recycling or repurposing.

Future Glass Façades: The use of dynamic glass, which can change its tint or opacity in response to external conditions such as sunlight and temperature. This can help to optimise energy consumption and occupant comfort, while still allowing natural light to enter the building. Another example is the use of biomimicry in glass façade design, where the façade is designed to mimic the natural structures and patterns found in nature. This can improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the building.

The use of integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels in glass façade s is another emerging trend. This can help to generate renewable energy on-site, reducing the building’s dependence on fossil fuels and lowering its carbon footprint By subscribing to industry publications and newsletters, by attending trade shows and conferences, and by conducting online research to learn about the latest glass products and technologies, we can keep updated on the industry offerings.