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Gas and electric bills are rising, and everyone is looking for cost-cutting solutions.

In the current economic climate, glass could be the future of energy conservation

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Gas and electric bills are rising, and everyone is looking for cost-cutting solutions to offset the steep energy price hike. Glass could be the perfect solution. 

Sustainable building material
Glass is one of the most sustainable building materials around. In the current economic climate, glass could be the future of energy conservation. It’s a material that just keeps on giving, and with its heat catching, insulating, light-giving properties: glass ticks all the eco-friendly boxes. 

According to Mirodec: “Even with the recent economic crisis, the glass industry remains unaffected thanks to the unique chemical and physical properties of glass.” 

Speciality glass can be toughened, laminated, and insulated to provide additional support for both commercial and residential properties. Innovations in glass production are also improving the sustainability of the heating process, as a proposal to introduce Hybrid Furnaces demonstrates. The glass industry is actively working to achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement, which aims for decarbonisation by 2050. 

We have already utilised energy-efficient architectural glass in our work, adapting this versatile material for our collaborations. We make something beautiful and something with long-term economic gains, conserving energy for decades to come. 

Modern home in Scotland     Gray and Dick      

Architectural glass
As the planet warms, we can utilise architectural glass to capture natural light and heat indoor spaces. Skylights provide another opportunity to capture as much light as the climate provides, and in so doing, the materials used to construct other sections of buildings can trap the heat let in by the glass. 

Glass can also regulate cooling, conserving energy. Low emissivity coatings prevent heat transfer, and electrochromic glass regulates solar transmission. These glass solutions ensure homes stay cool without the need for high energy-consuming air conditioning. 

Glass not only contributes to the aesthetic appeal of a structure, but it is also the tool of the engineer, designing for purpose and not just for pleasure. Clean, energy-efficient buildings are the designs that dominate the architecture of the 21st century, and glass is the key.

Glass for Europe
Glass for Europe, in its report The Smart Use Of Glass In Sustainable Buildings, said: 

“Improvements in the thermal performance of buildings mean that the relative share attributable to heating and cooling in a building’s overall energy consumption decreases while that of artificial lighting increases. Unlike any other construction material, glass helps lower artificial lighting needs and consequently the associated share of energy consumption as well.” 

Glass reduces the need for artificial light, instead integrating with the natural environment to introduce solar light. Humans need light, we crave that sweet Vitamin D, and by creating contemporary structures that include glass in their design, we can not only lower energy bills but also improve our energy levels. By keeping the lights off and letting the sun in, glass can help us conserve our energy and pennies as we face rising bills.   

          

Our services 
At Gray & Dick, we’re passionate about the future of glass. We are the market leaders in the design, supply and installation of high-end structural glazing. With more than 40 years' experience, we partner with the best brands to deliver a long-lasting product that will transform commercial properties.

Contact
To find out more about structural glazing from Gray & Dick, call us on 0141 952 9619 or send us a message via our website contact page.

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