Choose the right glass for your education project
Choose the right glass for your education project
PRACTICAL GUIDE DOWNLOAD
United StatesEach education project varies and there are many glass options to choose from when designing a school. Neutral toned or color, lower or higher reflection, transparency or privacy? Many factors and trade-offs can be considered to meet specific energy and aesthetic requirements. Here are some tips to help you choose the right glass for your building.
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Location & orientation
A building’s location and orientation play an essential role in energy performance and productivity of occupants. Depending on the path of the sun, solar heat gain and daylighting can vary during summer vs. winter. Overlooking the possibility of excessive heat gain or glare issues may compromise the students’ thermal and visual comfort.
An ideal solution for schools in cold climates or facades with a North-East orientation is choosing glass that helps increase natural light and prevent heat loss in winter. On the other hand, an ideal solution for education facilities in a warmer climate or a facade with a South-West orientation, is to choose glass that will partially block outside solar energy from transmitting to the inside. This can help make the building temperature more comfortable for the occupants and lower the demand on air conditioning.
Assess a building’s purpose & needs
The thermal and visual comfort of the students and their teachers is important to create a classroom environment conducive to learning. Gathering areas where students can socialize and relax are great places to create an immersive experience with the surroundings through large glazed areas. Key factors when selecting the right glass include transparency, glare reduction and of course the thermal comfort of the students. In terms of safety and protection, other areas such as sports facilities, school entrances and inside railings will all require special consideration.
Viewing Samples
The building design, as well as the glazing unit configuration selected to meet the project’s requirements can have an impact on our perception of the aesthetic of the glass. To help you make the right choice, we recommend viewing the samples in the best possible conditions, outdoors and with different lighting conditions.
Our experts are ready!
With a myriad of options to choose from, selecting the right type of glass can be a complicated process. Let our experts guide you through planning, viewing and testing the best glass for your educational building. Do you want more information on how to choose the right glass for your education project?