Using glass in place of brick has become increasingly popular since the mid-nineties. Use of glass in buildings was mainly restricted for windows and door panels. But with technological advances came more affordable and creative ways to use glass in design. The iconic Louvre Pyramid is one of the most famous glass entrances. I.M Pie’s design provides visitors to the Louvre museum with a spectacle before the main attraction, it’s as much art as it is architecture, and showcases how glass is used to blend traditional with contemporary; a face-lift to an old building.
Using glass entrances and canopies is a great way to transform any building’s appearance while providing a functional purpose. Its ability to blend seamlessly into its surroundings has made glass the choice material for many projects, including bus shelters and bus stations, storefronts and secure entry points for businesses. But why glass? What are the advantages? Here’s five ways glass entrances and canopies can improve a building:
A stylish welcome
The entrance to your premises is the first impression people get about your business. Adding a simple frameless glass canopy to an uninspiring building could mean the difference between making a good business deal or selling more products. For businesses who offer services at the forefront of design, having a stylish modern glass entrance instills more confidence than just an average doorway. It improves appearances and welcomes your clients in style.
A functional feature
A glass canopy might be stylish, but its main purpose is its function. Canopies are designed to provide shelter from the elements, it’s where many business owners stand while they unlock their shop doors. Entries are where people stand to wait for taxi’s or compose themselves before an interview or meeting, where people put up their umbrellas or fasten up their coats before heading home. Adding a glass canopy improves your building by adding an attractive functional feature.
Glass creates free light
One of the main benefits of using glass as a building material is its ability to disperse light. Allowing natural light into entrances means less artificial light is needed, which translates to less paid for light. Natural light also stimulates moods, so daylight flooding through to waiting areas and receptions, shop entrances or office building lobbies, gives a feel-good factor. Glass improves moods and saves costs on electric.
Improved bank balance
Choosing a glass canopy or entrance not only saves on energy bills, it also saves on cleaning and repairs. Glass canopies are easy to clean and stay cleaner for longer than traditional materials like fabric. Fabric and plastic canopies also perish from adverse weather after a few years, leaving them prone to leaks and tears. Both sun and snow soon age traditional materials, giving an unloved appearance to a building’s front, whereas glass will stand the test of time.
Glass spaces look bigger
One thing people often say when they use glass as a building material is that it really opens a place up, it gives the impression of more space. In fact, the area remains the same size, but where brick encloses an area, glass expands it. And one thing which seems to come at a premium these days is space.
No longer reserved for grand designs or architectural works of art, using glass for canopies and entrances provides a stylish and functional focal point to any building. The only thing left to do is choose a colour, opt for framed or frameless, and decide if you want solar protection or need extra strength to withstand snowfall.