Glass on the House
Glass lets light into the house, ensures comfortable temperatures, and provides a sense of security.
WINDOWS & DOORS
In the past, glass served exclusively as a transparent link between living and working spaces and the outside world. That’s still true today, but glass has also become indispensable in many other areas: It protects against rain, wind, and cold; provides just the right amount of natural daylight; and helps with daily ventilation in the home. But it can do even more: whether as safety glass to prevent break-ins or the risk of injury in the home, as thermal insulation glass to save on heating costs and thus also protect the environment, as solar control glass that keeps heat from entering the home in the first place, as soundproof glass in large cities, metropolitan areas, and along major thoroughfares, or as practical self-cleaning glass. Glass is primarily used in windows, doors, and facade elements.
Conservatories used to be for those who enjoyed extreme temperatures: on warm summer days, they got too hot, and in the winter, they got too cold. Today, functional glass transforms the glass addition into a comfortable living space year-round. The glass panels ensure high energy gains during the cold season and keep the free solar heat inside the room. Combined with effective sun protection and modern ventilation systems for the summer, the sunroom quickly becomes a year-round oasis of comfort for the whole family.
WINTER GARDEN
FACADE
In the past, glass—in the form of windows or French doors—was primarily used to fill the “holes” in a building’s facade. Today, however, this natural building material is increasingly being used for structural purposes as well. In addition to the commonly used mullion-transom constructions and attractive curtain walls, this also includes what is known as “structural glazing.” In this process, the safety glass panes are bonded together, held in place between the individual panes by clamping profiles, or secured at individual connection points. This creates the impression of a continuous glass skin that looks elegant and offers high stability.
If the window panes have become cloudy over the decades or if the cold air in winter flows into the room almost unchecked, it’s time to consider modernizing your home’s “eyes.” Instead of replacing the entire window right away, you might consider the much more affordable option of installing new glass. The prerequisite for this is that the frame is intact. If the material, seals, and hardware are still in good condition, there’s nothing standing in the way of replacing the glass.
GLASS REPLACEMENT
