What is Commercial Glazing?
Commercial glazing is the process of installing window glazing to any commercial property. Almost every commercial property requires windows to some extent, whether it’s a small storefront or a multi-story office building, which is where commercial glazing comes into play.
Due to the size and scale of most commercial properties, a different glazing process is required compared to residential properties. Not only is more glass required, but a much more complex installation process, especially when installing a prominent fixture such as a curtain wall.
Therefore, a specialist field of glazing is necessary – commercial glazing. Glazers working on commercial projects require special equipment to ensure safe and secure installation, which is a necessary component due to health and safety regulations of a commercial property.
Materials Used in Commercial Glazing
Commercial glazing shares many similarities with residential glazing, namely they both use a glass as their main material. However, commercial windows and glass fixtures often require a different type of glazing.
For instance, double and triple glazing is much more prevalent in commercial glazing. These materials offer high-quality thermal performance and enhanced acoustics, which are beneficial to a commercial property.
There are other materials available in commercial glazing beyond glass, namely plastic sheeting such as plexiglass. Plastic glazing offers a durable yet cost-effective material, with the materials being cheaper to import and install, leading many businesses to opt for this material.
However, the traditional and most prevalent material for commercial remains glass, which offers exceptional performance and unrivaled aesthetics.
Commercial Glazing Applications
There are many different applications for both interior and exterior commercial glass. These may be purely for aesthetics or functionality, while many combine aspects of both.
Interior Applications
There is a large range of interior applications for commercial glass, from clothes shops to supermarkets, with common examples including:
- Custom Glass
- Custom Mirrors
- Door Closures
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Railings
- Shelving
- Skylights
Exterior Applications
While many exterior applications for commercial glazing are obvious (such as windows), many are complex and require specialist training and equipment to install. Common examples include:
- Windows
- Storefront Glass
- Entrance Doors
- Curtain Glass
- Security Glass
Advantages of Commercial Glazing
There are many benefits gained from installing commercial glazing on a property. For example, those working in office environments greatly benefit from increased natural light. A naturally light, well-lit room doesn’t require as much artificial lighting while also offering a nice environment to work in.
Similarly, any retail property with large storefront glass enjoys plenty of natural light. This is an appealing prospect for shoppers, while also making the store stand out due to the striking design of an all-glass storefront.
Another massive advantage of quality commercial glass is better thermal insulation. Whether an office, supermarket, or school, every building is susceptible to internal heat loss. Good commercial glazing offers increased heat insulation and absorbs natural light for better heating, meaning it can reduce heating bills while also keeping a space cooler in warmer conditions.