About Decorative Glass Walls

Glass Adds Elegance

Decorative glass walls are used widely in commercial buildings and homes, both as interior and exterior surfaces. Glass lends a modern, spacious and airy feel to an environment and is extremely customizable. Cost, building codes and safety must be taken into consideration when implementing a glass wall into your décor.

Brief History of Glass

Glass enhances architecture.

Glass was discovered around 4,000 years, but it wasn't until the 19th century that glass could be mass-produced in large sheets. The Crystal Palace, an exhibition hall built in 1851 in London, England, was constructed from 300,000 sheets of glass, Kelly Wheeler writes in the article, "The History of Glass in Architecture." This gave way to more elaborate and creative use of glass in construction projects. Today, Wheeler notes, glass is one of the most revered and most used building materials.

Practical Uses

Glass walls incorporate a variety of techniques and designs.

Decorative glass walls can be used to enclose a pool or patio area, providing security and a degree of privacy and ambiance. Decorative glass walls on a building's exterior can reflect an awesome view and allow natural light into an otherwise dreary space. In a home, partial glass walls can be used to partition off certain areas, such as an office or play area. Decorative glass can also be applied to existing walls as tile or continuous sheets. Lighting brings out key elements and features of glass.

Glass Types

Glass mosaic

Glass for decorative walls can be back painted or color glazed, with or without texture. It can be kiln-formed using molds and then applied to surfaces. It can be laminated with color, artwork or patterns. Decorative glass can also be sandblasted, tinted or etched. Glass walls can take any shape, size and color.

Costs

The design of a decorative glass wall and the project's size have a huge impact on the price. Expect to pay considerably more for custom designs; a combination of custom work and in-stock material can reduce costs. According to Maestro Mosaics, based in Chicago, prices for glass mosaic tile ranged from $4 to $148 per square foot in 2010. Given this range, most other materials are comparable in price.

Considerations

It is quite possible to install small glass pieces or tiles yourself to an existing wall. However, bigger and more elaborate glass wall installations require professional installation. Any glass used for a decorative wall should be of a safe, durable thickness and, if possible, put through a hardening process. Any building project must follow safety codes and regulations.

References

• Imaging Sciences
• Heating and Cooling, Ann Arbor: The History of Glass in Architecture
• Hong Kong Institute of Steel Construction: Nonlinear Analysis and Design of Glass Panels
• Maestro Mosaics: Installation Tips