My Cart
You have no items in your shopping cart.
For example, vision glass and spandrel glass are now the common picks of every contractor.
That’s because these glass panels are quite durable and last for decades. This post is all about spandrel glass and its types. So, let us get into it!
Table of Contents
What Is Spandrel Glass?
Spandrel glass is a special glass panel that is used to hide the mechanical equipment of a building, such as vents, electrical wires, and slab ends. Compared to vision glass, spandrel glass has a different appearance. It has an opaque surface that doesn’t let anyone see through the glass.
Because of their functionality and durability, glass spandrel panels are now used in almost every commercial project.
What Types Of Glass Is Spandrel Glass?
Spandrel glass is made by applying an opacifier (usually made of silicone). This opacifier gives that opaque appearance to the insulated spandrel glass panels. So, a variety of glass panels can be converted into spandrel glass units. Here are a few glass options.
- Tempered Glass
- Low Iron Glass
- Clear Glass
- Tinted Glass
Out of all these glass options, it’s tempered glass that’s ideal for hiding vents, electrical wires, and slab ends of buildings. That’s because toughened glass is specially heat-treated and has an impact-resistant surface.
Is It Necessary for Spandrel Glass to Be Tempered?
Well, to an extent, spandrel glazing glass has to be tempered. That’s because every spandrel glass panel must be heat treated. And toughened glass is heat-treated as well. Therefore, it is widely used as spandrel glass for commercial construction projects.
On top of the heat-resistant characteristics, tempered glass is also impact-resistant and scratch resistant. All these properties make tempered glass the preferred glass option here.
Other than toughened glass, laminated glass can also be used here. It is even more durable than toughened glass and is nearly unbreakable. However, it comes at a premium price for its enhanced safety characteristics.
Rest, spandrel paint can also be applied to clear glass, Low-E-Glass, and tinted glass. Again, the contractors have the liberty to choose almost any glass panels that best match their budget.
Where Is Spandrel Glass Used?
Insulated spandrel glass is mostly used in commercial buildings. As mentioned, they are primarily used to hide high-res buildings’ wires, pipes, and vents. In addition, the use of these glass panels gives a more appealing look to the buildings.
Moreover, insulated glass units are used to prevent heat transfer from outside the building. So, they also serve as an insulating material. Because of these properties, glass spandrel panels have now become an essential element of almost every commercial construction project.
Can We Put a Spandrel Panel in the Vision Area?
No, spandrel glass isn’t ideal for putting in the vision area. That’s because its usage is entirely different. Its primary role is to hide the material building components. Therefore, it’s better not to use spandrel glass in the vision area.
Spandrel Glass Cost
It’s tough to define the actual cost of spandrel glass. That’s because various factors come into play here. Mainly, it’s the glass option you opt for. For example, the overall cost would be different if you chose tempered glass.
Whereas opting for laminated glass may also raise the cost significantly. On top of the glass panel, the usual labor charges would be extra.
Do You Need Insulation Behind the Spandrel Glass?
Yes, insulation behind the spandrel glass is necessary. In this regard, you can opt for insulated glass panels. These glass panels consist of dual layers of glass. That’s why they don’t let any heat or cold pass through the window.
For even better insulation, triple-pane glass units are recommended. This is because they have triple glass layers, which further enhances their insulating properties.
Final Thoughts!
So, that was a brief rundown of insulated spandrel glass. Many people confuse spandrel panels with vision glass. However, they both are made for entirely different purposes. For instance, spandrel glass can be found in high-res commercial buildings.This glass not only looks good but also hides the complex building components. Contractors can also use clear, tinted, and tempered glass as spandrel glass. Always buy your selected glass panel from a trustworthy glass distributor for the best quality and peace of mind.
