STRUCTURAL GLASS
When mechanical strength is a high priority, glass can be harnessed as a structural material. Thick annealed glass, laminated glass, and toughened glass all possess qualities that allow them to be used in combination.
Structural glass roofs can be designed, supplied and fitted by our staff, eliminating the need for UPVC or aluminium glazing bars. This maximises the natural light entering the building and adds a contemporary feel. Partitions, walls, balustrades, and even floors can be made entirely of glass, and suit both residential and commercial buildings.
Preedy Glass will commission a structural engineer to support client enquiries when necessary.
Glass Floors
As well as being functional and structurally strong, glass floors are very striking and bring a touch of luxury to almost any room or exterior balcony. Inside, they maximise the light in a building by allowing it to pass through to other levels, while on the outside, they allow a clear, unobstructed view of your surroundings. If privacy, or a non-slip surface is required, we are able to provide bespoke sandblasted or acid-etched designs.
Toughened Glass
Toughened glass, also known as tempered glass, starts life as regular float glass. The toughened qualities are achieved by heating the float glass in a furnace to 620°C and then immediately cooling it, causing different stress levels on the glass surface and in the body of the glass.
Toughening increases mechanical strength to four or five times the equivalent thickness of annealed (un-toughened) glass. It offers thermal shock resistance to sudden temperature changes and resists heat up to 250°C. In the event of a breakage, thermally toughened safety glass fractures into small pieces, generally with blunt edges. Consequently, it is often used in high-risk situations where strength and safety is of paramount importance.
Preedy Glass toughens glass to BS EN 12600 and has also achieved the CE mark for toughening, which involves stringent daily tests to ensure the quality of the product is never compromised.
Glass Balustrades
Glass balustrades are often the centre piece of modern commercial and residential properties. They combine form and function and allow for an apparent increase in the levels of natural light in a room.
Laminated structural glass balustrades can be frameless and held in place using a bottom edge channel, which allows the glass to seamlessly rise from the floor . Alternatively, they can be secured using elegant point fixings mounted to the side of the staircase. Non-structural glass balustrades, on the other hand, are simply infill panels of toughened glass, which can be held in place with clamps.
With our extensive hardware range, Preedy Glass can offer a myriad of options to give the balustrade in your property a truly contemporary look.
Fire Resistant Glass
Fire-resistant glass combines safety and beauty in a frameless butt-jointed design, providing varying levels of personal and property protection to different classifications, dependant on what level of fire protection the glass is required to perform to in a fully tested system:
E – Integrity: Prevents the passage of flames or hot gases through the glass
EW – Radiation: Reduces the amount of radiant heat transfer
EI – Integrity and Insulation: Restricts the temperature rise on the unexposed face to below the required standard
Our fire-resistant glass is available in various types and thicknesses to withstand the spread of fire for periods of 30 to 120 minutes. Our experienced team members are available to help you find the fire-resistant glass solution you require.
