Construction Law
Selecting the Perfect Glass Flooring for Your Project
Glass flooring is becoming a viral sensation. With hilarious videos of frightened tourists in China crossing the world’s longest glass-bottomed bridge gaining significant traction online, and the inclusion of glass flooring in many famous buildings like the Willis Tower in Chicago and the CN Tower in Toronto, glass flooring has officially hit the mainstream.
Now, architects and designers are starting to include glass flooring in their designs for homes, buildings, and bridges. The Naples construction lawyers at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants are familiar with avant-garde trends in architectural design. Naples’ famous architecture represents some of the best in the country. In this article, we will examine the process for selecting glass flooring for your next project.
Clear or Obscure
Glass flooring can add an additional layer of class and mystique to your project. The first thing to consider when shopping for glass is whether you want clear glass or obscure glass. Fully transparent glass will allow you to see directly through the floor, allowing you to exploit optics in interesting ways on your project. Obscure glass will still allow light to pass through, but it will limit visibility.
There are many reasons to choose transparent or obscure glass flooring. If you plan to utilize a transparent “walk over” to showcase an art collection, wine cellar, water feature, sports memorabilia, a practice space, or an otherwise interesting room, transparent floors will best serve your needs. You can also use a glass floor as a window into a room from a lower vantage point. Many projects prefer to use obscure glass, which can usher light through a structure without sacrificing privacy. Obscure glass also allows customization options for color, texture, and design. For instance, sandblasted windows create soft silhouettes and reduce bright light to muted tones. You can even use a combination of both.
Types of Glass
Glass floors require thick, sturdy glass that can support a lot of weight. Glass should be impact-resistant and structurally safe. Currently, glass flooring experts recommend using one of the following three types of glass for your next project:
- Laminated and tempered flat glass floor panels: These floor panels measure 1” to 1 ½” thick and feature a tempered glass surface with lamination layers spliced in for additional strength.
- Glass Pavers: These thick solid pavers are structurally sound and relatively cost-effective. Glass pavers can be circular or square in shape (with some modifications) and are secured in an aluminum, stainless steel, or cast iron framework.
- Cast Glass: Cast Glass is usually 1 ½” thick. Cast glass is made in a custom mold to create one solid panel that the designer uses in accordance with a pre-established design.
If you would like to speak with a Naples construction attorney, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.