Historic Glass

The story of the element we all know as glass is a long and very old one. In fact, one that reaches back to ancient times. It is a little known fact the glass was first made glass before 2000 B.C. in Mesopotamia which is now the north of Syria and Iraq. The people made very small items by making and shaping the glass with basic tools or moulds. During the 3,500 years since this time, we humans have crafted glass into amazing beautiful and functional objects.  These days, glass is used in a variety of ways, from the creation of sculptural works to intricate and well designed vessels. London Glaziers are experts in the glass trade. As civilization progressed and with the invention of most beautiful and functional things, it was only the well to do that would be able to sample and make use of it. The glass was actually made by using a balloon shaped piece of glass that had been blow and the making it longer. Finally once the glass was formed it was then made into really quite small parts which were then fused to each other using lead strips. London Glazing can supply and fit all types of glazing

The Roman Influence
To begin with it was very slow and difficult to make glass. Glass melting furnaces were tiny and their heat was barely enough to melt the glass. However during the 1st century BC, the blow pipe was invented by the syrians. This innovation was to make glass production easier, faster and less costly. Glass production grew and grew amongst the Roman Empire and went from Italy to all countries under its governance. The Egyptian city of Alexandria around 1000 AD was thought to be the most important glass manufacturing centre. The overall quality of the early glass actually improved significantly, up until the 13th century when it was decided to import really high quality glass from France, this was known as crown style glass. The French glass was made from blown glass in the shape of a sphere and then the end facing the blower was cut. The glass was made circular by spinning it, which was better than Britain’s and was thin at the edge and thick in the centre, it also had better optical qualities. These sheets of glass ended up being cut and made into leaded panes, having the thick part at the bottom.. Glass was still only used by the rich until around the middle of the 17th century, when the glass tax was abolished, and has been enjoyed since.

When choosing a double glazing company it is sensible to find one that is accredited and widely known as a reputable and reliable contractor.London Glazing know these organisations. To achieve this there are 3 organisations that encourage this. As you look at the details of any of the double glazing companies, they must have one or more of these accreditations:
1). GGF: is short for the glass and glazing federation They are always trying to increase the standards o quality in the glazing industry. If you use a double glazing company who is a member of the GGF you can guarantee that the glazed units they use are the best. All the members are regularly updated about the latest advances in the industry. This allows them to supply the best quality glass. There is no real chance of an inferior glazing product when you choose a company that is registered with the Glass and Glazing Federation.London Glaziers are professionals.

2). FENSA: Is the Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme. The GGF actually helped to form FENSA. The whole idea is for new window installations to conform and put standards in place for thermal performance in the home. If you choose a member of FENSA, it will automatically be done for the customer. They are able to self certify that an installation meets all the legal requirements. FENSA might be referred to as a Competent Person Scheme.

3). CERTASS: is also a Competent Person Scheme. Its aim is to ensure top quality glazing products are installed in different types of homes. Any non member of Certass, would need to submit a building notice or seek approval from an inspector regarding the installation. Not all double glazing companies are the same. If you use a company that holds membership of one or more of the above organisations (particularly Fensa and Certass) you know that any installation will be much easier to finish. It also means that any installation will meet all current regulations without having to declare it.

There are lots of dates thrown around for the history of glass, but the first efforts are hard to pin down. It is thought that Egyptians could have been amongst the very first people to use glass which featured in their artwork and culture. London Glazing are professionals. Historically, around 2500 BC, there were amulets and solid glass beads created in Mesopotamia. Around 1000 years after this, the Egyptians started to make glass. It was discovered that in the old and Middle Kingdoms, jewelery, amulets, small animal figures, mosaics and similar things were made from glass. The earliest glass vessels were manufactured throughout the reign of Tuthmosis I in the New Kingdom. It is widely thought that this came to Egyptians as a result of their expansion in the Middle Eastern area. London Glaziers will supply anf fit glass. The glass manufacturing industry in Egypt began at the start of the New Kingdom with the 18th Dynasty (1550BC). before this, the Egyptians used their glass mainly as a bead glaze. Discovering faience (a material made up of powdered quartz with a true vitreous coat, normally transparent blue or green isotropic glass) was to be the next phase of the glass journey in Egypt. It is widely accepted that the craft of glass making was first introduced fully in Egypt by glass makers captured by Thutmose II (1479-1425 BC). As well as the glass amulets, beads and inlays, there were attempts to use it in more ambitious uses. Ancient Egyptian glass was made by a method called core-forming and cold cutting. Core-forming was an important technique for glass production in Egypt had been discarded due to the introduction of glass blowing technique during the Roman period. To the people of the ancient egypt, glass was looked at as an artificial semi-precious stone and controlled by their royalty, given as gifts to the priviliged. Glass making faded away after the 21st Dynasty (1096-945 BC) but was resurrected in the 26th Dynasty (664-525 BC) but on a much smaller scale.

The double glazing that we know today is actually believed to have originately come from Scotland during the Victorian era. Their winters were very harsh and all the homes had was a kitchen fire to keep them warm. The larger houses suffered the most from this cold weather as they had more and larger rooms to keep warm. London Glazing are glass specialists. During this period, the double glazing was discovered, an invention that the locals loved. The 1930s saw this innovation travel to America and an inventor called Haven created the Thermopane. This was popular in the 1940s and 1950s, with Thermopane becoming a luxury and very sophisticated. In Great Britain, double glazing only became popular around 40 years ago, during the 1970s. Before this, fairly relaxed building regs meant that people had no real incentive to become energy efficient. London Glaziers advise on glass fitting. The 1970s also experienced an energy crisis, with an oil embargo declared by the Arab Petroleum Exporters. At this point the UK started to rethink just how dependent it was on foreign fuel. The price of energy increased during this time and homeowners started installing double glazing to be more energy efficient and less reliant on oil. Double glazing companies grew quickly to meet demand. They now vary from a simple family business to large nationwide companies. From aluminium frame based windows, double glazing has grown to cover a huge variety of frames and types of glass, including wood and uPVC frames with secondary, double and triple glazing solutions. These days, FENSA (Fenestration Self Assessment) offers a membership to double glazing contractors who give homeowners certificates with a 5-10 year guarantee for their professional work. This innovation is expected to become even more popular, with more energy efficient incentives and products available to consumers.

Today, there are is a varied choice of materials for a replacing windows including a variety of different opening types. These features can make a huge difference to the outside view of your windows. London Glazing are experts in glass. The Aluminium frame is tough and durable, but they are quite expensive, and are more suited to properties that are built in a more modern style. The wood frames is very popular for its nice appearance and strength, but it will require regular and labour intensive maintenance and also a new coat of paint every so often. One of the most popular materials for replacement windows is uPVC. It is available at a reasonable price and is very easy to keep clean and maintain. A standard uPVC window is supplied in white, but there are also lots of woodgrain finish styles if you are interested in something a little more rustic. London Glaziers are glass professionals. When it comes down to types of windows, a classic is the sash window. It is not the cheapest on the market, but the sash window looks great on period homes, with a timeless charm. The casement windows are really the most popular, and are the best for of the volume of light that they allow into a home. Tilt and Turn windows can be bought also, having a flexible double hinge system, and are a great for families with young children, as they can be adjusted to only open as required. Double or triple glazing are really the only environmental and economical choices worth consideration. Triple glazing is the main choice in northern countries like Sweden and Norway, whereas most people find that the slightly less expensive double glazing is perfectly adequate for the British climate.

The UPVC, or unplasticized PolyVinyl Chloride type of window, became very popular in the last few years as the newer low maintenance alternative to aluminum or wood windows because of its durability and the fact that it is a cheaper option. UPVC windows are constructed from vinyl polymer bound to chlorine atoms so they are not truly plastic and work with steel. This gives them great strength and versatility with very low maintenance costs which is a big attraction for a homeowner. You can purchase fixed windows, opening windows and sliding windows in many colours. London Glazing can supply window glass.

Energy Efficiency.
These types of windows are very energy efficient. They have a very low thermal conductivity due to the materials used in their construction. This means that heat wont escape nearly as easy as other materials. In general, they’re 30% more efficient than some other types of double pane windows like aluminum.

Heat Loss.
Because their thermal conductivity is really low, their heat loss is minimal. This means the home will stay warmer for longer and actually needs less energy to retain the heat. This will be show in energy bills. Also, the welding used on the steel in the corners, and the double-pane glass creating a thermal barrier, means the windows is virtually soundproof. This will cut out most of the noise from the outside which makes your home a more pleasant place, paricularly if your home is on a main street. London Glaziers are experts in glass.

Durability.
UPVc windows are made to be weatherproof and are used many times in marine work so their quality is really tested. These windows are far more waterproof than other windows beacause they do not absorb moisture. They are not fireproof, but fire resistant and unlike wood, they will not accidentally catch fire. UPVC windows will not succumb to corrosion, or warp, so they are pretty much maintenance-free. They should not need to be repainted in their lifetime. But, if you want to change the colour of the frames, you can paint them. Using strong steel fittings and a double glass pane, these windows are a strong deterrent to burglars.

The material called UPVC is usually supplied in white but is also available in a Mahogany and Oak wood grain options. This is by far the most popular material for the windows and doors of today. This type of plastic is an excellent, and highly insulating material, which does not require any real external treatment or maintenance. There are no problems with discoloration and is guaranteed against this. The design of this type of window varies. London Glaziers have experience in glass and UPVC.
Internal or Externally Glazed Windows:
The majority of these UPVC made systems will now give you the internal and external glazing option. Internally beaded windows (the glass is held in from inside) are generally thought to be more secure and burglar unfriendly. Having said that, there are many satisfactory externally beaded UPVC systems about which feature either an internal wedge gaskets or a “double sided” tape that secures the external bead firmly. You could also investigate this particular issue with your local company. London Glazing are experienced with glass and frames.

Depth (Thickness) of Frame:
The true depths of these frames vary from 50mm to over 70mm. The majority of these are around the 60-65mm range. This definitely will not affect the structural integrity of the window or door you chose in this material. Keep this in mind when you compare your prices. It is not realistic to compare the price of a conservatory made using a 55mm thick frame and a window made using a 70mm thick frame. These points are brought to your attention just to give you a better feel for the sort of things you should ask any potential window and door retailer. The above is not the whole story, and there will be those who will have a different opinion regarding the use of UPVC for houses.

There may be a situation where you or someone you know might have the need to stick two pieces of glass together. Further below is a really brief guide on how to accomplish this. London Glazing can glue different glass together. For this task you will need to use Epoxy glue. Epoxy is a good choice to repair glass because of its strong bonding and adhesive characteristics, and because it can be made in a clear form. Epoxy is known as a co-polymer and it is made from two chemicals, normally called to as a resin and a hardener. As soon the two chemicals are mixed together, something calle polymerisation happen, or what’s normally called ‘curing’. The Epoxies are bonding agents that are specifically designed to be used on a lots of surfaces including non porous things like glass. Epoxies are premixed solutions, or you can mix them yourself. Specific types for bonding glass to glass are available for purchase at any DIY store. Each and every glass to glass gluing job will be different, as it depends on the size, weight and thickness of the glass. The following instructions should be seen as basic instructions that can be altered to your specific project. London Glaziers are able to supply and fit all types of glass.

1). Put the two pieces of glass in the position which you are going to bond them. This will give a visual representation of how the pieces will look. Doing this will let you to determine where to apply the epoxy when gluing.
2). Put an adequate coat of epoxy on to the bonding surfaces of both pieces of glass before you finally press them together for bonding.
3). Let both of the pieces sit together and bond. Allow a few hours until the glue has completely dried.

Right from the old times in our history, early man has made good use of the thing called glass. Our historians have uncovered that a type of natural glass called ‘obsidian’ was formed for example, inside the mouth of a volcano. This was due to the intensity of the heat that existed inside the volcano when it erupted and sand was melted. It was discovered that early weapons were made from this type of early glass. Obsidian has in the distant past been used for cutting tools and even been experimented with as a medical tool. Our glass today is a mixture of sand and different minerals that are melted to form a material that is right for a huge range of uses from packaging and construction to many different optical technologies. London Glazing know how glass is made. Believe it or not the glass that we use everyday and feels so hard, is really more of a liquid. This is why at high temperatures glass can be poured and manipulated, molded and blown. Today, we have glass making down to a fine art with many different types of glass now being made.

Did You Know?
Glass that we know and use is made in the first instance by melting different minerals at massively high temperatures, and just like treacle, glass is fluid at this high temperature, but its treacle like form, decreases as the temperature is lowered. This means, its viscosity will decrease as the temperature is increased. The water we use, turns from a liquid to a solid at a very low temperature, the glass has no notable melting or freezing point, but is gradually transformed from a solid to a liquid mass as the temperature is raised. The glass is said to have a ‘variable viscosity’, that allows it to be molded into such beautifuland/or practical products. London Glaziers understand the process for glass making.

The glass that was manufactured all over europe had become affordable for the ordinary people, which meant that they could buy and use it to fill their windows frames. London Glazing will supply and fit all types of glass. These sheets glass panes were not just there to protect the people from the rain, wind and snow, but they also ensured that there was a massive amount of day and sunlight filling their properties for the first time, and this light, gave them a huge hand in the improvement of personal health and hygiene. Suddenly all the dirt and rats could be seen and dealt with. This was all happening by the 17th century. There was huge milestone in the history of glass in Britain that happened with the invention of lead crystal glass by Mr George Ravenscroft. He tried to stop the effect of clouding that sometimes was seen in blown glass. He did this by putting lead with the raw materials he used in the making of the glass. This new glass he had made was much softer and easier to decorate, with a higher refractive index, this added to its brilliance and beautiful form, and it was invaluable for the optical industry. Ravenscrofts invention allowed optical lenses, astronomical telescopes, microscopes to be made. London Glaziers use qualified tradesmen. In 1887 glass making had turned from traditional mouth blowing to a semi-automatic process, when a machine was produced in Castleford Yorkshire that was capable of producing 200 bottles, more than three times faster than any prior production method. Twenty years later, in 1907, the first fully automated machine was developed in America by Michael Owens from major glass manufacturers Owens of Illinois, and used at its factory in Manchester, Illinois making 2,500 bottles per hour.

If you listen to the chatter of some people ypu will at some stage hear the words ‘fibre optic’ cables mentioned as they chat about the the telephone system, cable TV or most likey the internet. These cable are lines or strands of purified optical glass which is actually as thin as a human hair but can carry digital information over great distances. These glass cables are also used in medical imaging and for inspections in the mechanical engineering world. London Glazing supply glass to the trade. All todays technical communications equipment contains a variant of fibre optic glass. The fibre optic cable is highly specialised and consists of two very different cores of glass, one having a high refraction with a low refractive index glass sheath surrounding it. There is an interface at one end that collects and stores the data. There is a large range of glass that can be used for this process and the higher the index of refraction of the core to the sheath, means the more information can be transmitted through the cable. The most common type of system for commercial purposes is one that comprises of silica core doped with germanium with a cladding made from borosilicate. London Glaziers are glass technicians.If you ever get to look closely at a single optical strand, you will see that it consists of these parts:

The Core.  A thin glass center of the strand where the light travels.

The Cladding. The outer optical material around the core that reflects the light back into the core.

Buffer Coating. A coat of plastic that protects the strand from damage and moisture. There are hundreds or even thousands of these optical strands arranged in bundles in optical cables. These bundles are protected by an outer covering, known as a jacket.

The mission of the manufacturers of this type of system is to make glass fibre that is absolutely pure, and defect free, so that it will, when a light is shone into one end of the fibre that it will leave the opposite end of the cable over great distances absolutely perfect. To make this glass the materials must be ultra purified. Basically the glass is formed into a very thin strand not unlike a hair, and is then covered with two coats of plastic, this is like a mirror effect that reflects internally, just the same as a mirror coating inside a tubular structure. This means the light that is moving through will remain inside the glass fibre optic cable, making the transfer of data very smooth and uninterrupted. London Glaziers know how fibre optics work.