Solutions for Building Glass from Saint-Gobain
The possible uses of glass for interior design and facade design are extremely diverse - and are repeatedly good for a surprise: the fact that radar glass on the facades of high-rise buildings makes a contribution to safety in air traffic is probably something you never heard about before. Perhaps it is news to you that heating glass can provide a comfortable room climate. Even self-cleaning glass is an innovation that is known to only a few.
Glass for heat and sun protection have long been taken for granted. Insulating glass makes a decisive contribution to save energy. And sound-proofing glass lessens noise effectively. Glass can serve to provide visual protection. Safety glass and attack-resistant glazing protect not only buildings from mechanical impacts and violence. The glass solutions from Saint-Gobain are leaders worldwide: our innovative strength has a tradition of 350 years. Find out more about Saint-Gobain glass solutions now.
Sun protection glass and heat protection glass
Regulates the radiation, protects against heat loss - and can do much more
Intensive exposure to sunlight is a challenge for the interior climate. The infrared portion of daylight heats up rooms and the UV rays are also rather undesirable. Last but not least, too much light can dazzle and distract you at work.
A remedy is provided by a sun protection which is individually adapted to the use of the building, the location and the climatic conditions on site. Effective measures are the optimal orientation of the building, a shading through roof projections, canopies or opaque awnings, window shutters and blinds.
A further decisive contribution to sun protection is provided by special sun protection glass, which regulates the energy input by reflecting or absorbing the sun's rays.
Sun protection glass usually fulfils other tasks: it often has the additional function of heat insulation or a heat protection in the cold seasons. It can also protect against noise.
Fire Protection according to DIN 4102
Fire-retardant glasses for the safety of people and buildings
Fire protection glass is an obstacle to fire which prevents its further spread, at least for a certain period of time. Conventional glass cannot perform this task because it cracks when exposed to heat. The fire resistance class of a fire protection glass is determined by how many minutes the material fulfills its task – preventing flames and flue gas from passing over the glass as well as heat rays penetrating the glass.
The fire protection glass incorporates these properties as part of a complete system. In addition to the fire protection glass, this includes a frame construction, fixtures and other elements that are matched to it.
In the case of fire-protection glass, a distinction is made between G-glasses and F-glasses in accordance with DIN 4102. The latter consist of several panes and, in addition to the fire resistance, stop the heat radiation, which means they are fire-retardant.
A G-glazing of category G 60 provides resistance to the fire for an entire hour. An F-glazing with fire resistance class F 90 therefore withstands the fire for 90 minutes and protects against heat radiation during this period - an important property because the so-called radiant heat transmission ignites objects and can thus contribute to the further spread of the fire.
Sound insulation glass
No chance of disturbing sounds and health-damaging noise
Man is the measure of things - this also applies to noise protection. Whether sound is perceived as a disturbing sound or even as a noise depends on a variety of physiological and not least subjective factors. It is certain that today many people are bothered by noise. All the more important is an effective sound insulation. Soundproofing and soundproofing windows play a decisive role in the sound insulation of buildings.
The sound pressure and the frequency are decisive for the perception of loudness. Example of sound pressure: A reduction of the sound pressure level by 6 to 10 dB results in a perceived halving of the loudness.
A variety of properties such as the thickness, gravity and stiffness of the glass are decisive for the sound-absorbing effect of glass. In addition, the width of the intervening space, the filling of the interspace with inert gases, and the use of material that dampens the vibrations of the glass.
Soundproofing systems CLIMAPLUS SILENCE and CLIMATOP SILENCE
Soundproofing systems from Saint-Gobain Glassolutions use innovative materials to increase the soundproofing properties. A special acoustic foil is used for the extremely powerful noise-insulating insulating glasses Climaplus Silence and Climatop Silence. The result is a sound insulation performance of up to 54 dB.
Safety glass
Protection and safety for people and objects
The general term "safety glass" refers to a category of glasses which serve a wide range of purposes - and are characterized by very different characteristics. This is already indicated by the classification into safety classes. This differentiates between interspersed, penetrating, penetration-inhibiting and explosion-resistant glazing.
Safety glass can stop burglars, protect store shelves from jewellers or provide more safety in everyday life: safety glass shower cubicles minimize the risk of cuts when the glass is destroyed.
A basic distinction is made between single-pane safety glass and laminated safety glass. Toughened safety glass is used primarily to protect against injuries by breaking down into thousands of blunt-edged particles in the event of a fall. Laminated safety glass consists of two or more glass panes, which are connected by special films. If the glass breaks, the foil holds the fragments together, prevents a glass fall and protects against falling glass parts.
Saint-Gobain Glassolutions already secured the patent for the first safety glass worldwide in 1930. Since then it has written a success story under the name Securit. Glassolutions continues to have a leading position in the market thanks to intensive research and development of the products.
Design glass and ornament glass
Unlimited possibilities for the design of interior rooms and facades
Designing rooms and facades with glass means designing with light. Glass can be completely transparent, silky matt, mirrored or absolutely opaque. Glass can sparkle brilliantly or shimmer discreetly. Glass can bundle light, break or scatter it, be clear or colored.
In architecture, design glass and ornamental glass are used to enhance the interior or make it attractive, for example with glass partitions, doors and furniture. Glass is indispensable for facade design: windows, facade elements made of glass or completely glazed facades give buildings a unique face. Hardly any material offers the imagination and creativity a comparable variety of options.
Saint-Gobain Glassolutions opens up the virtually limitless potential of glass with a wealth of ideas and innovative power. Glassolutions has developed a new manufacturing process for the production of fluid design glass. Embossed and transparent passages alternate, resulting in flat glass structures with a fascinating appearance of three-dimensional depth.
Glass Innovations
Unlimited possibilities for material with a rich tradition
Engineers and scientists all over the world have developed new applications for glass in many years of intensive work.
Condensation, coatings, changes in the chemical-physical structure and further optimization has produced a wide range of special glasses for a wide variety of tasks. Saint-Gobain made a great contribution to this.
In the Paris research and development centers, glass innovations are created that increase the comfort of living in buildings, reduce energy consumption and costs, and sustainably relieve the environment during production.
Thus, innovative heat protection glasses from Saint-Gobain prevent the warming up of buildings, while heat-insulating glass regulates heat loss. Electrochromic glasses from Saint-Gobain SageGlass control the incidence of sunlight. The electronically tinted insulating glass helps to increase the energy efficiency of buildings.
Priva-Lite becomes completely opaque in seconds at the push of a button. The laminated glass with a film of liquid crystals protects against prying eyes, but continues to let light in even in the translucent state.
EGLAS heating glass generates radiant heat. The use in interior spaces reduces energy consumption and increases comfort.
The self-cleaning Bioclean glass reduces impurities with the help of sunlight, and rain washes off the dirt nearly completely thanks to the special coating.
Contraradar contributes to greater safety in air traffic: the innovative glass absorbs radar beams. This prevents the signals from being reflected by large-scale glazed high buildings - and ensures a trouble-free monitoring of air traffic.
