Structural glazing has long been used in the commercial sector. Shopping centres, office buildings, hospitals, universities, and many more modern buildings have all contributed to pushing the architectural boundaries with structural glazing.
The Sky Pool in London has gained a lot of interest recently. The completely transparent swimming pool that sits ten stories high between two buildings is a great example of how glass can now be used as a building material instead of a panel framed within a traditional window.
One of the reasons structural glazing has remained much more popular within the commercial market than the domestic market is the weight and size of the glass panels used in these projects.
However, glass lifting technology is constantly evolving, and compact spider cranes and glass suction devices offer the perfect solution for moving and installing large glass panels in much smaller spaces. As part of their commitment to structural glazing, John Knight Glass has invested in its specialist lifting equipment to ensure the company is at the forefront of the structural glazing movement and guarantee optimal health and safety for its installation crews.
As this technology evolves, it is becoming much more common in domestic projects, and architects are starting to specify structural glazing within domestic projects much more regularly, including things like glass links, continuous roof lights, glass rooms, glass corners, oriel windows, structural eves roof lights, and more. To satisfy this demand and to create a more affordable product for homeowners and house builders, John Knight Glass has developed a range of Structural Glazing products aimed at some of the more common uses of structural glazing, including Glass Links (Glass Tunnels), Oriel Windows, Glass Corners, Frameless Windows, and Custom Roof Lights. This article looks at the different products on offer and how they can help enhance your home.
Oriel Windows
A modern take on the traditional bay window, the Oriel windows are made almost entirely out of glass with a structurally cantilevered base. A box-like object protrudes from the building, with glass on three or four sides of the box, giving a 360-degree view of the garden while ensuring maximum light can flow into the building. The Oriel window adds architectural interest to any property and is a simple way to change an existing standard window into something much more interesting, as well as adding character to any space. It is an ideal place to sit and take in the world outside or simply a resting place for reading a book. The Oriel window is one to consider, particularly for those who have a beautiful garden or view from their home.
Glass Corners
We can now fabricate an entire corner from glass or sliding glass by utilising cantilevered steel joists or a steel joist and post system. We talk a lot about indoor/outdoor flow in the home and building world, and our glass corners can take this ideology further than the more traditional sliding or bi-folding door. Completely opening a corner of a room gives an amazing view of the garden year-round and offers an enhanced connection between inside and out. To create the ultimate indoor/outdoor flow, we recommend installing a corner-less sliding door set from the Knight Line range.
If you are looking to connect an existing building or create a modern extension connected to a traditional building, a glass link, also known as a glass tunnel, can be the perfect option. Glass links are corridors made entirely from structural glass designed to link two buildings together with a completely weatherproof structure that has no visual barrier between the internal and external space.
Glass extensions
With structural glazing, there is no limit. If you can design it, it can most likely be made entirely from glass. Swimming pools, living rooms, corridors, and much more have all been made entirely from glass, with no visual barriers between the indoor and outdoor spaces. In the image above, glass has been used as a corridor between two more traditionally rendered buildings to create one fantastic family home.
Walk-on roof lights
Structural glass can now support large amounts of weight, including people. Walk-on roof lights have become very popular with homeowners who want to add living space outside their properties. Rooftop verandas are increasingly popular, and walk-on roof lights are perfect for adding visual interest and bringing light to the spaces below. These are also an excellent option for basement properties with light wells. You can now install a walk-on roof light, preventing the need for obtrusive barriers above.
Up and over roof-light
Combining two pieces of glass along the seam is now possible using specialist structural glazing compounds. This has led to the introduction of up-and-over roof lights, where a piece of glass is installed within the façade of a building, much like a traditional window and continues up and over into the roof light, creating a sense of magic. The roof appears to float in the air with no visual support, and the wall doesn’t appear to connect with anything. It also helps to bring in a large amount of light to the building; visually, the up-and-over roof light is a great feature to add to any home.
The future of structural glass
Over the past 10 years, we have seen considerable advancements in the glazing space and what is possible in a domestic setting. The enhanced thermal, structural, and energy-efficiency properties of glass have all contributed to the possibilities we now see. Advancements in modern lifting equipment have also contributed massively. It is only our imagination that limits what is now possible with glazing, and we look forward to seeing how the structural glass space develops.
