The demand for green buildings has become common in the architectural community and many designers are going the extra mile to design such buildings. The article below will educate you on how such green buildings benefit the environment, the occupants and how glass plays a major role in adding the ‘eco-friendly quotient’ to a green building.
A recent trend that has been picking up momentum across the world is that of constructing green buildings. Owing to the fast depletion of natural resources, their scarcity and the negative impact mega-structures have on the environment, constructing such an eco-friendly living or working space has become the need of the hour. Right from its design to the materials used in it, everything about such a building is designed to positively impact the environment and the world around it.
What are green buildings?
A ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ building is one which is designed and constructed by wisely using materials and resources to create a structure that is energy-efficient, modern and long-lasting. These types of buildings are designed to find the right balance between having a low impact on the environment while also efficiently serving all the purposes it was built for.
Advantages of green buildings?
A green building is designed to be efficient in every aspect. These types of buildings use less water, optimize energy-efficiency, conserve natural resources and produce a considerably less amount of waste. These buildings greatly reduce operation costs and also significantly improve the quality of life. The positive and ‘green’ effects of the building are noticeable from the first day itself and throughout a building’s life.
What is the role of Glass in Green Buildings?
Glass plays a significant role in constructing and designing green buildings. It can be used to enhance the aesthetics of a structure, improve its design, improve thermal performance and even create a comfortable environment for the occupants.
All the above benefits can only be achieved by selecting the right glass and using it in the right places.
Due to India’s tropical climate, it is very important to pick a glass that serves multiple purposes such as providing UV protection and also thermal insulation. However, due to the variety of glass options to choose from, this task can get difficult.
Types of green glass:
Eco-sense glass
Such glass types are designed to achieve the perfect blend of aesthetics and economics, finesse and function. It is designed specifically keeping in mind the Indian subcontinent’s tropical climate. It prevents solar radiation from entering a space and delivers a cooling effect rather than a heating effect.
It is an energy efficient solution that also allows natural light to pass through freely. It also absorbs and reflects a large amount of near range infrared heat. This enables it to keep the space within a structure and the occupants cool in every climate and weather.
Such glass is generally used on the exteriors of a building such as windows or facades and even skylights.
Opal glass
Solar control glass is a green glass type that also improves the aesthetics of the structure that it has been installed on. It has great value for money and is primarily designed to keep heat from entering the building.
Solar control glass is typically installed on building exteriors, facades and windows.
Sunshield glass
This type of glass is built to provide superior cooling comfort even in harsh Indian weather. It enhances aesthetics, improves energy efficiency and is durable. With such a plethora of unmatched features, it is a favorite choice among those looking to design green buildings.
Once installed, it drastically reduces glare and improves energy efficiency. It comes with a superior protective coating that keeps occupants safe from harmful UV rays.
Its various features and benefits make it the perfect glass to be used for exterior uses in buildings.
Supersilver glass
Heat reflective glass is produced with a glazing solution made using chemical vapour deposition that is much more effective than spray-coated reflective glass products available in the market. This type of glass can be tempered or used with other glass in a laminated or double-glazed solution.
This type of glass is easy to install, and can be customized to provide thermal insulation, acoustic insulation and protection from UV radiation. Its glazing properties allow it to reflect light during the day, thereby enhancing the privacy of a space.
Similar to most heat reflective glass, this type of glass is also installed on facades and exterior windows.