Not sure what kind of glass to buy for your carpentry project? Join us, joiners, as we lay it out for you.
If your carpentry project involves glass, you can easily fall into one of two traps. The first is to be overwhelmed by the sheer range of glass panels available and struggle to make a decision. The other is to think that one pane of glass is much like the next and place an order without due consideration.
The truth lies somewhere in the middle. Good-quality glass for carpentry isn't hard to come by, but you need to know what you're looking for. This applies whether you're making something as simple as a window frame in a door or as complex as a sunroom; whether you're at home doing DIY or working for a carpentry firm.
Here at ToughGlaze, we have a range of glass for every purpose and every occasion. That's why we've put together this guide to getting the right glass for your carpentry project.
Four questions to ask before buying glass
With such a range of products to choose from, it's often not long before analysis paralysis sets in. But before you press "buy now" on your shipment of glass, here are four questions you should ask yourself.
1. Is it functional?
Glass isn't just there to look through. It's there to serve a purpose. When getting glass for your carpentry project, you need to be sure that it's hard to break. This is one key reason why you should seriously consider buying
toughened glass.
Another consideration is soundproofing. Depending on the application, you may want glass that can keep sound out (or in). For this, you'll need specialised
acoustic glass.
Finally, there's the question of privacy. If you're installing glass in a wooden frame in a bathroom, say, you'll want your toughened glass to be frosted. If the budget allows, you may want to explore
switchable or smart glass options. Either way, this is a process that a reputable glass processor can help you navigate.
2. What will it look like?
Glass has endless aesthetic potential. It can be tinted, patterned or frosted. It can have a
mesh or
coloured interlayer. It can even be
digitally printed with a logo, slogan or other design of your choice.
What you go for will depend on the nature of your project, the nature of the space it will sit in and your own personal preferences. But before you place your order, make sure you're getting materials that look the part.
3. Is it energy efficient?
If you're installing glass in a door or wall, you need to be sure that it's sustainable. This means it keeps the heat in when it's cold and keeps it out when it's warm, reducing your customer's reliance on internal heating and cooling systems. The alternative is to have a carbon footprint that's bad for their wallet and the planet.
When installing wooden windows, it's not just the quality of the wood that's important. You should also consider double or triple glazing, which works together with the wood for maximum insulation.
The joinery itself is important, too. Stock frames are often inexact, meaning heat can leak in and out. Custom joinery, by contrast, is designed to fit snugly, meaning a bare minimum of air leakage.
4. Is it safe?
As well as being functional and aesthetically pleasing, your glass should be safe. This is another reason why toughened glass can be a great choice.
Toughened glass is a type of safety glass – so called because when it breaks, it shatters into lots of small pieces rather than dangerous shards. This is in contrast to standard annealed or flat glass, which breaks into sharp smithereens.
Whether you're working on a DIY project or installing glass for a customer, safety isn't a corner you can afford to cut. That's why sourcing good-quality toughened or even laminated glass can be a wise decision.
What to look for in a glass supplier
When you first start sourcing glass for your carpentry projects, you might think that one glass supplier is much like another. Surely you just need a company that has the materials you need and can deliver them on time?
We would add experience and industry accreditations to that list. A good inventory doesn't make a good business. You need to be sure that your glass supplier has experience working with your sector and that the products you're buying are Kitemark-approved and in line with BS EN standards.
The alternative is a whole lot of logistical faff when you discover that your materials aren't up to scratch.
Another thing to look for in a glass supplier is how many of their processes are done under one roof. In today's marketplace, it's not uncommon for one company to cut the glass, another to treat it and another to ship it.
This isn't a problem
per se – but the more links in a chain, the more likely it is to break. Knowing that everything is being done in one location by one team gives you peace of mind.
We've talked about this more in our article
"The benefits of using one trusted glass supplier". In our opinion, it can be the difference between smooth sailing and choppy waters.
How we can help
At ToughGlaze, we cut, process and treat all of our toughened glass products here at our state-of-the-art facilities. This isn't just convenient for you – it also means that there's less room for things to go wrong and a speedier resolution in the rare event that something does.
But don't just take our word for it. We're accredited with ISO 9001:2015 for quality assurance and all of our products have the Kitemark stamp of approval.
So whatever the nature of your carpentry project, we can sort you out with the best materials for the job. We look forward to hearing from you.
Are you looking for a
toughened glass supplier for a carpentry project?
Get in touch with ToughGlaze today for a quick, competitive quote.
Join Our Newsletter — No Spam, Just Expert Tips and Updates for Your Next Construction Project!
| ToughGlaze LTD