Safety Glass

Laminate:
A product called laminated glass is supplied in varied choice of thicknesses and is normally made from a large number of laminated layers which also include polycarbonate. The laminated glass product has many uses and is the popular choice to increase security in many guises and is even available in a bullet-proof option. The laminated glass can be used as a large sheet of glass with a toughened glass to give safety and also piece of mind. London Glazing can supply and fit different security glass.

Security Glass Film:
The type of film glass is available in a choice of thickness and is made for addition to things like glass on windows and doors for increased security but when applied it should be behind any beading etc. for optimum performance. This film has the action of keeping the glass together should someone try and smash it. This is also a great quality in office windows that could fall victim to collateral bomb damage, meaning that no glass shards will enter the rooms, offices or even fall to the ground and so will not cause injury. It can also be used to allow privacy and also reduce the heat that would be radiated through the glass which could save on running conditioning equipment for cooling. There is also a reduction in the glare that is nearly always present in buildings with lots of glass, so it will also reduce the affect of fading the furniture such as tables and chairs that may be in the direct path of such glare for example in a homes conservatory in summer. London Glaziers can supply security glass.

Polycarbonate:
Polycarbonate plastic glazing material is very strong and usually used for security access entrance doorways. When you see this type of glazing it is very likely that it is a place of high of damage or vandalism and could mean that there has been an incident previously and there is a high risk of another such incident.

The humble Glass Cutter is one of the most important tools that you can purchase if you are working with glass. The cutter is a tool that is hand held, with a wheel designed to scratch the glass surface. This has the effect of making the tension of the glass softer so it can be broken along the scratch line, which is also known as a ‘score line’. A good quality Glass Cutter lets you to cut the glass shapes you need without excessive breakages. Where possible, try a selection of different Glass Cutters before you make your choice. Below is a selection of the glass cutting tools that are available on the market to make sure the glass is cut accurately. London Glaziers carry glass cutting tools.

Barrel Cutter:
This is the most common style of self-oiling tool. The Barrel cutter has a swivel cutting head and a barrel that’s designed for comfort in your hand with the barrel serving as the oil reservoir. London Glazing know glass cutting.

Pistol-Grip Cutter:
If you have arthritis or difficultly holding finger tension for extended periods of time, the pistol-grip cutter may be a good option for you. This device is designed to fit comfortably into the palm of your hand, taking the pressure off your fingers. The pistol-grip cutter has the same swivel cutting head as the barrel cutter, so it cuts just as well.

Strip-and-Circle Cutter:
A strip and circle cutter isn’t a necessary tool, but I highly recommend getting one, especially if you want to make glass boxes or lampshades. As its name implies, you use the strip and circle cutter to cut straight strips of glass and circles. You can adjust the tool to cut almost any size of glass strips from 1⁄2 inch up to 8 to 10 inches It also easily converts into a circle cutter, allowing you to cut circles of glass.

There are very many homes still in the UK that have older less energy efficient windows fitted. Therefore it will be a lot more sensible to fit new, more efficient units and bring your home into the 21st century. The new, energy-efficient type of windows will, in time pay for themselves through low heating and cooling costs, and maybe even the cost of lighting your home. Provided these are sensibly selected and fitted, energy-efficient windows will help to reduce those heating, cooling, and lighting costs. London Glazing can advise on this. Improving window performance in your home involves design, selection, and installation. Before choosing the new windows for your house, work out what types of windows will work the best and how to maximise your home’s energy saving. You should understand the energy performance ratings of windows so you will know what energy performance ratings you need for your windows based on your climate and the design of the house. For the energy-efficient windows, ENERGY STAR® has created minimum energy performance ratings by climate. London Glaziers are experts in glass. These criteria, however don’t account for a home’s design, such as the window positions. These passive type of solar design plans use the glass to maximize solar heat gain in winter and minimize it in summer. In climates that are dominated by heat, major glazing areas should generally face south to collect solar heat during the winter when the sun is low in the sky. In the summer, when the sun is high overhead, overhangs or other shading devices prevent excessive heat gain. Windows on east, west, and north-facing walls should be few while still allowing for adequate daylight. It is difficult to control heat and light through east and west facing windows when the sun is low in the sky, and these windows should have a low SHGC. (solar heat gain coefficient).

The efficiency of a window will depend on all the parts that make up the window. The frame of the window is a conductor of heat, which forms part of the efficiency overall. This applies also to the windows U-factor. The technical side of the glass and glazing industry has become really advanced in recent years, with some design professionals demanding glass or glazing that will suit various designs and climates etc. London Glazing know the details for all types of glass. An important consideration is how the windows actually work, as some working types have a lower rate at which air can leak air than others, this improves your home’s energy efficiency.

Normal operating types are:

Awning:
Uses hinges at the top and opening out. Because the sash closes by pushing against the frame, they usually have low air leaking rates. Lower than sliding windows. London Glaziers fit these.

Casement:
Hinged on the sides. Look similar to an awning window, they generally have lower air leakage rates than a sliding window as the sash shuts by pushing against the frame.

Fixed:
Fixed panes that will not open. Once installed properly these windows are airtight, however, they are not suited in areas where window ventilation is required.

Hopper:
Hinges at the bottom and opening in. Just as with both awning and casement windows, these usually have low air leak rates as the sash shuts by pressing against the frame.

Single and Double-Hung:
Each of the sashes moves vertically in a double-hung window. The bottom sash is the only one that slides up in a single-hung window. These sliding windows generally have high air leak rates than projecting or hinged windows.

Single and Double-Sliding:
Each sash moves horizontally in a double-sliding window. There is only one sash that slides in a single-sliding window. As with single and double-hung windows, they usually have high air leak rates than projecting or hinged windows.

There are more and more householders that are making their kitchens bigger to achieve much more space and light. The older bricks and mortar extensions and more conventional conservatories are making way for a newer sleek glass made extension to the rear of the house. However is it easy and affordable to get that great look? Below are some questions for you to ask yourself before you start:

Would a Glass Extension Suit The Way I live?
Firstly, be real. A futuristic-looking glass structure straight out of a magazine will give your home fantastic light and space as well as the wow factor, but you will be subject to onlookers. Lack of privacy could be a something to consider. Also think carefully about how you will cool the room. During summer, a room of glass can get really hot. Maybe a partly glazed version could be a more practical option. London Glazing can advise.

What Glass Options are out there?
Your wallet will dictate which way you can introduce glass into your kitchen. There have been great advances in this technology that has produced larger, stronger panes so that even complete sections of ceiling can now be replaced with glass. Fitting a skylight (or window in the roof) is a really cost effective way of bringing light into an extension.

Glass Sliding Doors?
Ordinary French patio doors can be changed for the latest concertina style glass doors along the width of a whole wall. Although, a set of around seven glazed panels covering an 18ft opening could cost in the region of £8,000, however, this can really bring the outside into your home as well as providing extra ventilation on hotter days.

Advice on Glass Extensions:
Make sure you think very carefully about where to locate a roof light in a kitchen extension. Above the cooking or dining area is usually good. London Glaziers fit extensions. A frameless glass box structure can be costly, but it’s worth investing in top quality glass with high performance coatings, otherwise the room can get unbearably hot.

For the lucky people that live in very quiet and rural areas in the UK, there can be a downside when it comes to replacing the original windows for a period property. For some really old and historic buildings there may be a need to seek advice from the local council, however there are a few insulating options for the existing windows in the mean time. Things like, fitting very weighted and dark lined curtains, secondary glazing, blinds and also shuttering. London Glazing are qualified professionals in glass.

Areas of Conservation:
The character of these types of homes will need to be maintained, which means that work can be limited, but the newer types of windows can be manufactured to mimic the original historic looking windows but again you will need to seek expert advice from the local authority.

Listed Constructions:
These types of properties can be awkward as there is always a desire to keep the original features like the windows in order to keep the materials not just the windows like a sash style. There is a chance that permission could be granted for replacement style sash windows to be fitted as the new types of window can be manufactured to mimic the old originals. Again you will need to seek the expert’s advice on how to save energy without compromising the historical relevance of the property. London Glaziers fit every type of window.

Sash Style Windows.
As mentioned, these are older types of windows and can be difficult to insulate because of the two single pane design, so there are purpose built styles which feature double glazed units for great energy efficiency and heat retention and also great old original looks. They also can be of metal or even wooden framed which has a core that is well insulated.

Most companies will now make these types of frames and windows on request, but just remember to ensure it will not contravene any local historical bye-laws before you start.

Today there is such a wide range and choice of window styles. In the past the windows have been hinged on their sides and were called a casement window, also the sash sliding window. Nowadays there are a couple of options for the mechanics that provide a hinge for our windows such as a pivot and friction type which is quite common. The materials that our windows are constructed from and also the shapes and sizes are really quite considerable. The good thing is that there is always a makers guide to help when installing, if you want to do it yourself. Should you live in an older style of house, it may be that any replacement window has to be made to measure for you. London Glazing will sort all your window needs.

Window Choice:
Usually any time that a window is replaced, the materials and also the mechanics are constructed being sympathetic to the original design to keep some authenticity. Windows like the sash however will contain more modern weights or balances not made of lead. The frame is important, so you should always make sure hat if the old window has a sill, then, you will need to make sure that the new one has a sill also. London Glaziers fit all glass.

Wooden Window:
These types were popular and actually still are, with people choosing hardwood for its hard wearing qualities and looks. Hardwood can be painted or just oiled for protection, it is quite expensive but good value.

Vinyl:
This a replacement option for older windows and come in double glazed units, in white and other colour options.

Aluminium:
The frame for these windows is slim but strong and able to support large glass sheets. The problem is that they conduct heat and are also have massive condensation problems, with old ones rusting but new ones are protected and are low maintenance.

Everyone knows now that double-glazing can definitely save money on heating and improve drafty windows and doors. It can also manage to keep those searing summer temperatures at a controllable level. The bonus of having double glazing fitted in your home are things like noise reduction for example where you do not need to listen to that traffic going past the window or at least you tend not to notice it as much. There are many different types of glass also that you can fit, much more than 15-20 years ago. This type of home improvement with its quite simple yet robust construction is not the hardest thing to take on for the DIY enthusiast. There are companies that fit their own windows and doors or sub contract the work to a third party, which may worry you with regards to things like the warranty or call out responsibility. The materials are widely available with the facility for you to have custom made parts and units for your home. London Glazing will advise on all glass.

Brief Guide (Window Fit):
Firstly you must be of the mind that you are confident to install your own double-glazing. If there are any doubts do not do it. Having removed the old window frame:

1). Make sure you measure correctly and allow for the beading or trims that go around say the window, this ensures the glass will not fall out and will sit tight in the frame. If the glass comes with the frame then there is no need to do this. London Glaziers will supply glass for windows.
2). Remove the old frame and remove any rubble.
3). Offer the new window up and screw the holding screws through the frame sides and into the brickwork, this will hold the window still.
4). Finally, fir the sealed unit in the frame and fit the trims around the glass in the frame and make good any gaps around the frame by using expanding foam and filler.

There is now a vast choice of types of glass for anyone who is considering replacing their windows in the near future. These are listed below:

Security Glass:
This type of glass offers real security whilst not scrimping on the warmth that it can retain. The glass is constructed of special reinforcing elements that are contained within the glass that will to all intents and purposes make it impossible to breach. The outer pane is made of two bonded pieces that feature an inner layer of film of plastic giving it strength. Should there be a break, then the glass shards just stick to the plastic and therefore do not pose a danger from flying glass with the plastic still maintaining it’s integrity. London Glazing use all types of glass.

Obscure:
This style of glass usually incorporates various designs that will obscure an outside view of the home yet still make it warm and welcoming. Designs such as, fluting, frosted, etched or just textured are all available with the style being used for windows and also conservatories and patio doors. It really is a great option if you require privacy or just a nice effect.

Self Cleaning:
This style of glass is a true innovation because it features a photocatalytic covering that will react when it meets daylight and then will begin to break down any organic grime etc. on the glass. The second action of this glass is when it rains and the water hits the glass, it will just evenly covers instead of the formation of raindrops and runs of in one and this takes the dirt with it. It even dries very quickly also. There aren’t even any streaks left. London Glaziers fit self-cleaning glass windows.

Anti-Sun:
This glass has a special UV treatment applied in the manufacturing process that acts like a polarising lens on sunglasses that will reduce the sun’s glare to a minimum making it confortable to gaze out of the window.

Although most of us think we know what glass is, it is quite interesting when it is explained in detail. So what is glass? Well, the glass we know is made up by combining minerals and sand under very high temperatures and melted. The glass that is formed is really versatile and has its uses in building, homes, packaging and also the super technology of mobile communications and optics. A variation of glass occurs naturally in a volcano’s mouth, as it erupts there is a formation of something called Obsidian which is glass like but very tough yet brittle and has very sharp edges. Obsidian has in the distant past been used for cutting tools and even been experimented with as a medical tool. Glass is actually more of a liquid as it stands, yet feels solid, but will at high temperatures become softer and look like a liquid. Of course this is why glass can be poured and manipulated, moulded and blown. London Glazing can advise on glass.

The Manufacture Of Glass.
The glass we know is manufactured initially with the melting of different minerals at really high temperatures. The principle element in this process is something called Silica, (which is one of the most commonly found sands on earth) which combines with limestone and something called soda ash and they are melted at around 1700°C. During this process the manufacturer can add various different materials to change colour or the glass’s properties. London Glaziers will know about the production of glass.

Use:
Glass can be covered with a coating, treated with heat, decorated or even engraved for different uses. When the glass is in a molten state it can be formed into things like windows, screens for cars or packaging, in fact there are lots of uses for glass. It will depend on it’s ultimate use as to the rate that it is cooled and also it’s composition.