Wired glass
Glass is made from liquid sand in the form of an amorphous (non-crystalline) solid that displays a glass transition near its melting point at around 1,700°C (3,090°F). It is typically transparent or translucent, and its most common form is silicate glass, which consists mainly of silica or silicon dioxide (SiO2).
Glass is a very commonly used material because, whilst still molten, it can be manipulated into forms suitable for a very wide range of uses, from packaging and household objects to car windscreens, building windows, and so on. There are many different types of glass, depending on the use required.
Wired glass (sometimes referred to as Georgian wired glass or GW glass) was patented by Frank Shuman in 1892. It has a wire mesh embedded within it during the manufacturing process and the glass is generally obscured (it has a visually distorting rolled surface pattern). The wire mesh does not improve its impact resistance, but it ensures that if the glass breaks, the broken pieces are retained by the wire mesh and do not fall out, which could create a hazard. It can also ensure glazing retains its overall shape, continuing to form a barrier even though it has broken.
Wired glass typically has a grid size of around 12.5mm and is used as a low-cost fire resistant glass in which the wire holds the glass in place if high temperature causes it to break. It can also be used for security reasons, or in areas where impact is likely and it is commonly found in doors and windows.
Wired glass is less visually attractive and not as strong as laminated glass or toughened glass. There have also been safety concerns in relation to wired glass, as the shards of glass remain in place after breakage, which can cause injury. Alternatives include glass reinforced by a polycarbonate mesh which is lighter, easier to cut and more difficult to break.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Annealing.
- Birds and building collisions.
- Domestic windows.
- Double glazing v triple glazing.
- Float glass.
- Georgian.
- Glass.
- Glass manifestation.
- Glazing.
- Laminated glass.
- Lights Out: Protecting migratory birds from illuminated skyscrapers.
- Low-e glass.
- Patent glazing.
- Polycarbonate plastic.
- Security glazing.
- Stained glass.
- Thermal optical properties.
- Triple glazing.
- Window.
- Window energy rating.
- Window screens.
Featured articles and news
What it is and how to use it.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Comments
He likely invented it at least a little while before taking out the patent for it, which he filed on July 6, 1892
Ron H-W
This article has been corrected. Thanks