Understanding Glazing Terminology - A Breakdown Of Glass Installations

At Cantifix, we regularly use all kinds of industry terminology without a second thought - but the many different styles of glass design can be a bit of a minefield, particularly when it comes to understanding what we mean when we use words like ‘minimal’, ‘frameless’ and ‘invisible’, sometimes seemingly interchangeably...

For those wishing to become more fluent in the language of glazing, and more familiar with the world of architectural design, we’ve put together this guide to a few of our most popular glass solutions:

Structural Glass

As the inventors of structural glass, this glazing solution is the jewel in Cantifix’s crown. Simply put, structural glazing is a term used to describe glass that is integral to the structure of a building: It involves glazing panels which bear weight in the structure. Structural glazing can be used to create huge glass installations with minimal obstruction.

Structural glass can bear weight both horizontally and vertically, and can be bonded using everything from minimal glass beams and supports to heavy-duty steel struts, meaning it can be constructed on almost any scale, with almost any aesthetic. Everything from frameless sliding glass doors to load-bearing high-strength glazed floors can be created.

The inclusion of structural glazing also adds an element of modern luxury to any home - and there is a distinct advantage in the fact that glass can complement older and listed buildings in a way that does not compromise any historic value. Frameless glass, in particular, can be added to or within a building without obscuring original features.

Minimal Glazing

In simple terms, minimal glazing involves any glass installations (such as windows and doors) which are visually subtle. As technology and techniques have evolved in the world of construction, it’s now possible to design glazing which is structurally secure whilst also being aesthetically inconspicuous. Minimal glazing factors in not just the glass panel itself, but also the frame, and the overall appearance of an installation or product.

By using techniques such as silicone bonding, which effectively eliminates the need for a solid frame between two glass panels, an almost completely uninterrupted effect can be achieved.?

Even with double (or triple!) glazing, which typically requires a thicker frame, the development of toughened glass through techniques such as heat-strengthening and laminating has changed the game. Frames no longer need to be bulky - instead, they can be minimal and used to ‘highlight’ other elements in a design or building.

Frameless Glazing

In some cases, the frame can even be removed altogether.?

Frameless glazing is exactly as it sounds - a seamless glazing option which has no obvious frame around the perimeter. Frameless glazing allows you to create a ‘wall of glass’ and, as fixing and joins are kept to a minimum, it provides the perfect unspoilt view.

Frameless glazing becomes possible using techniques such as the aforementioned silicone bonding and clever detailing - hiding any framework within the surrounding structure. With frameless walls, doors and windows, a seamless link is created between the inside and outside, allowing interior designers and architects to draw upon the outside world as a visual stimulus and an integral part of their design, creating a sense of flow between the indoors and outdoors.?

These solutions offer a visual and practical ‘edge’ over framed options, in that they can create a sense of horizontal continuity. This uninterrupted aspect makes this type of glazing appealing for listed buildings with restrictions on aesthetic changes. In terms of practicality, frameless glazing is as safe, secure and energy efficient as any other glazing solution.?

Invisible Corners

Invisible corners are one of the most stunning and groundbreaking uses of minimal framing. Similar to frameless glazing, invisible corners enable a sense of unpunctuated immersion within a space, whether you are inside or outside. Constructed entirely out of glass, an invisible corner does not feature any visual cues that you are looking at, or through, the corner of a building.?

The undetectable join used in an invisible corner is created by mitring the glass edges so they meet at an angle, and the glass is then bonded with an imperceptibly thin layer of adhesive. Invisible corners can be horizontal or vertical and can feature double or triple-glazing. Beyond their smart visual aesthetic, invisible corners are an appropriate addition to any smart building, even constructible using switchable glass.?

Switchable Glass

Using an electric current and some micro-crystal wizardry, switchable glass can transform from transparent to opaque and back again at the touch of a button, or the swipe of a screen. These panes of ‘intelligent glass’ can be charged with electric currents to alter opacity, giving unparalleled versatility to an architect or designer.?

Designs focused on optimising the use of the space also usually require the possibility of privacy at any given time, so this glazing solution needs to offer flexibility and user-friendly simplicity. To that end, timers can usually be used alongside switchable glass, which can be set to switch glazed windows, doors, and panels when leaving or returning home, for privacy and safety.

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In summary there’s certainly a lot on offer when it comes to glass - but hopefully this provides a bit of a reference point. If in doubt, you can always opt for a more traditional route, and simply seek some inspiration. Taking a look at some of the previous projects that suppliers, architects, and designers have worked on before can be a fantastic source of ideas, which can in turn help you to decide upon the best glazing solution for you.