Current design trends are shifting towards open-concept spaces that maximize natural lighting and openness to the outdoors. Windows, glass doors and glass partition walls are excellent features to utilize when designing your business or office space as they create an open and welcoming environment for your clients and customers. These glass features are also incredibly versatile as a wide variety of commercial glass exists on the market today. These different types of commercial glass range in transparency, appearance and function. If you are currently designing or renovating a business or office space, then you will benefit from reviewing the wide array of commercial glass types that are available to you. 

Safety Glass

With safety being a huge priority when designing a commercial space, safety glass is certainly a “safe” bet. If you are unfamiliar with the term, safety glass encompasses a large category of glass types that are designed with safety in mind. Glass can be tempered or laminated so that it is stronger, less dangerous when it does break and more capable of blocking UV light. Safety glass is not mutually exclusive with other types of commercial glass on the market. For instance, safety glass can also be tinted or frosted. 

Tinted Glass

Tinted glass is a great option if you want to give your customers and employees a bit of privacy without sacrificing the benefits of having an open-concept business or office space. Tinted glass is just traditional glass that has been coated with a thin laminated film. This is a perfect option for warmer areas, as tinted glass is able to block a higher percentage of UV light than basic glass, keeping your business or office cooler.

Frosted Glass

Like tinted glass, safety glass offers your customers and employees more privacy than traditional fully transparent glass. However, frosted glass offers a different aesthetic value than tinted glass. Frosted glass is quite opaque when compared to traditional glass, but it still allows light to pass through. This makes frosted glass a great option if you value privacy and natural light. 

Insulated Glass

Like safety glass, insulated glass encompasses a large category of different kinds of commercial glass that are all designed to accomplish similar goals. In this case, insulated glass is designed to minimize glass’s insulative deficits. Traditional glass is not that well insulated. This can put a great amount of strain on your commercial properties HVAC system, making it harder for your system to regulate indoor temperatures. Insulated glass can be dual paned, filled with gasses or treated so that it minimizes these issues. For these reasons, insulated glass is a great option if you are seeking to maximize your commercial properties energy efficiency.

While these are not the only kinds of glass available, they are the kinds most commonly used for commercial properties. For more information regarding commercial glass options, or if you wish to schedule a consultation, contact our team of professionals at Hiegel Glass today!