Glass+and+Wood

= Glass  = = = = Glass is one of the most useful materials in the world. Few manufactured substances add as much to modern living as does glass. Yet few products are made of such inexpensive raw materials. Glass is made chiefly from silica sand (silica, also called silicon dioxide), soda ash (sodium carbonate), and limestone (calcium carbonate). = = Glass has countless uses. Food is preserved in glass jars. People drink from glass containers called glasses. Windows in homes, schools, and office buildings are glass. Motor vehicles have glass windshields and windows. People with vision problems wear eyeglasses. Scientists use glass test tubes, and microscopes and telescopes with glass lenses. Glass optical fibers carry data all over the world at the speed of light over the Internet, the worldwide network of computers. = = The glass is most typically used as transparent glazing material in the building envelope, including windows in the external walls. Glass is also used for internal partitions and as an architectural feature. When used in buildings, glass is often of a safety type, which include reinforced, toughened and laminated glasses. =

= Types of Glass used in the Architectural Field  = = = = Sheet Glass = = = = It is the commonest type of glazing glass available. It may also be used for Door and window partitions. It is used by drawing a sheet from liquified ball of glass. = = = = Plate Glass = = = = It is used for general glazing purposes in windows, shop fronts, buildings and workshops. Also used for sales counter and table tops after being laminated with plywood or metal sheet. = = = = Wired Glass = = = = Wired glass is a product in which a wire mesh has been inserted during production. It has an impact resistance similar to that of normal glass, but in case of breakage, the mesh retains the pieces of glass. This product is traditionally accepted as low-cost fire glass. Can be used for Skylights and North Light trusses, fire-resisting doors and windows. = = = = Laminated Glass = = = = Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that holds together when shattered. In the event of breaking, it is held in place by an interlayer, typically of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), between its two or more layers of glass. The interlayer keeps the layers of glass bonded even when broken, and its high strength prevents the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces. It is normally used when there is a possibility of human impact or where the glass could fall if shattered. Skylight glazing and automobile windshields typically use laminated glass. = = = = Flint Glass = = = = This is a special type of glass having high refractive index. It is used for making lenses, table ware, cut glass wares, electric tubes, radio valves and optical glass. Also may be used in electric lamps, thermometers, electron tubes, laboratory apparatuses, containers for food… etc. = = = = Ground Glass = = = = It is a plain glass which has a rough, matte finish. It could be used for window panes and bathroom ventilators and at such places where diffused light is required. = = = = Foam Glass = = = = This special cellular glass has high heat and sound insulation properties. It is lightweight, opaqueglass material having a closed-cell structure. Foam glass is light enough to float in water and is impervious to moisture, most fumes, and vermin. = = = = Fiber Glass = = = = Fiberglass is material made from extremely fine fibers of glass. It is used as a reinforcing agent for many polymer products. Sometimes, it is also known as fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). It is tough and durable, and is used in a variety of places, such as in the manufacture of glass based roofing, for insulation of pipes, bends, valves etc, thermal insulation of containers and panel insulation = = = = = =

= = Conclusions about the use of glass in architecture  = = = = There is a special relationship between glass and buildings. Glass is a magical material which has so many different properties and uses, that it has presented Architects with many new possibilities and designs. In their quest for transparency and safety, Architects often use reinforced, toughened and laminated glasses. The glass is so important because is a beautiful material that gives finesse and elegance to our works, besides being one of the most hygienic materials and easy to clean. =

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= Wood  =

= Wood is the oldest material used by humans for constructional purposes, after stone. Despite its complex chemical nature, wood has excellent properties which lend themselves to human use. It is readily and economically available; easily machinable; amenable to fabrication into an infinite variety of sizes and shapes using simple on-site building techniques; exceptionally strong relative to its weight; a good heat and electrical insulator; and—of increasing importance—it is a renewable and biodegradable resource. =



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 * == Cheap ==
 * == Lightweight ==
 * == Strong in compression and tension ==
 * == Rots, swells and burns easily ==
 * == Used to build houses out of wood ==
 * == Softwood ==
 * == Used to build houses out of wood ==
 * == Softwood ==