Architectural glass is a type of glass used for a building material. The glass is thicker than windows and is usually toughened and laminated to reinforce it for safety measures and structural support. Even though the glass is so thick, there are times when it can become broken, damaged, or faulty and require repairs. This list goes over some of the various reasons why the glass would need repairs and how to solve it.
Construction
Construction damage is caused when construction workers are careless when they are working on the building. Damage can be caused by ladders or equipment placed against the windows, plaster being wiped off the glass, wire lath dragged across the glass, painters trying to remove paint from the glass, masons getting mortar on glass, grout on the glass, welders grinding steel near the glass or welding slag falling on it, and texture contractors getting excess texture on the glass.
Distribution
Sometimes when the architectural glass is being delivered to the destined site, it will become damaged. This may include scratches, cracks, or other faults that will need to be repaired before installing the glass on the building.
Fog
Most people don't realize it, but fog is a huge problem for architectural glass. Water exposure or excess heat can get inside the panes and create a foggy look. There are four different stages of fogging glass:
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Foggy: There is a certain threshold saturation point that a window will reach before the moisture inside grows and makes the glass look foggy. The mist may appear and disappear throughout the day in this stage.
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River Bedding: Once the saturation point is crossed, it will begin to cause permanent damage to the window. The moisture will run over and over down the window and create the 'river bedding' effect on the glass.
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Silica Haze: This is a chemical growth that grows in architectural glass. Even if the window shows no sign of moisture, the silica can be present inside of it. The haze looks like a snowflake pattern running at angles throughout the glass. It can also appear like a white chalk-like haze growing on the glass.
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Riverbed and Silica Haze: This stage is the combination of stage two and three together. When the glass has both in it, it is irreversible damage.
Conclusion
There are many other things that cause damage to architectural glass: vandalism, environmental change, cleaning, and manufacturing. All of these causes require that the glass be restored to its original state or repaired. In cases where restoration or repair doesn't work, the entire glass may have to be replaced completely. Contact a repair company, like Allied Glass & Mirror, for help.
Glass is used in numerous applications in the contemporary world, and this blog seeks to take a closer look at all those big and small elements of the world of glass. Need to install a glass window? Want to repair a glass table top? Interested in learning how manufacturers temper glass so that it doesn't shatter? If you have questions like that, this blog is just for you.
Hello. My name is Svetlana, and I want to welcome you to my blog. I plan to put up a number of posts all devoted to repairing, replace, installing, and buying glass. Whether you're a consumer or a professional, I hope there's a little something here for you. Thanks.