Passive solar design: how does it work? It?s a common question, but not all, even the most experienced, glass professionals can provide a good answer to it. As of today, specialists at Tempe Glass know a variety of passive solar design techniques that can enhance the quality and comfort of any window. In this post, we want to talk about the so-called direct gain, which is believed to be one of the simplest and common energy-efficient techniques of window design. Really, we think that direct gain is one of the best passive solar design techniques ever created in the glass industry. In direct gain windows, usually made of transparent glass, the warmth of sunlight comes into the house. It should be noted, that direct gain windows usually face south. We at Tempe Glass believe that this is one of the best ways to make any house more energy-efficient. Once inside, the sunlight energy hits the floor, usually made of a dark well-absorbing material. The floor fulfills a complex function to absorb the energy coming through the window. At night, or in darkness, the floor will convert and radiate this energy back into the room.

Apparently, passive solar design is not limited to windows, and we at Tempe Glass have learned that windows can become energy-efficient, only when they are part of a broader design solution, e.g., floors and walls. You cannot be sure that your passive solar design windows work appropriately, if you fail to use appropriate materials for your walls and floors. If you simply wish to improve the energy efficiency of your home, use water-filled containers inside the living space to absorb, convert, and radiate the energy back into the room. Make sure the glazing area is large enough to let more sunlight energy in. Ask specialists at Tempe Glass about the most ideal thermal mass ratio for your climate. We will not forget to insulate the thermal mass from the outside climate, so that the heat you get from the sun does not drain away from your house.

Stained glass: what is it? Over years of professional work in glass business, we received dozens of questions regarding the nature, utility, and functionality of stained glass. This is why we at Mesa Glass believe that our customers need to know more about different types of glass, and today we decided to focus on stained glass.

Why stained glass? ? Because for years, stained glass had been associated with one of the most outstanding human creations. Actually, stained glass is colored glass, which has been known to the humanity for at least one thousand years. Look at the windows in churches and other religious buildings. Take a look at the way many museums and architectural developments currently look. Stained glass is everywhere, and you cannot escape its presence. Today, stained glass is not merely a piece of colored glass but a material that enables talented architects to create three-dimensional sculptures and structures.

Stained glass is made of conventional glass, with the addition of metallic salts. These are metallic salts that color stained glass. We at Mesa Glass have learned that stained glass provides virtually unlimited freedom for thought and creativity: with stained glass, you can create different pictures and express your emotions, by simply arranging its pieces in the form of different patterns. Certainly, stained glass is not easy to use. Special artistic skills are required, to develop a truly interesting and inimitable glass window design. Today?s buildings using stained glass include English Coventry Cathedral built in the middle of the 20th century, Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, and Cathedral Basilica located in Kentucky. Additionally, you can see the way stained glass fits in the modern and postmodern architectural designs, in the houses of Frank Lloyd Wright and prairie style homes. The Hungarian Room at the University of Pittsburgh, the Town Hall in Liberec, Czech Republic, and the National Library in Jerusalem, all have stained glass in their designs. Look at them and ask Mesa Glass professionals for more information!

When glass is discussed, glass recycling is rarely an object of analysis. Unfortunately, the topic of glass recycling tends to be ignored. Nevertheless, glass recycling remains an essential element of the entire glass industry, simply because, without recycling, there would be no glass industry at all. Glass is one of the few existing materials that can be recycled without any damage caused to its quality or purity. Most U.S. communities have at-the-curb containers and collection sites for glass, and 10 states have their own glass deposit programs. This is why, it is interesting to know that the glass recycling industry continues to grow, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in revenues.

Glass Packaging Institute has published the most recent information regarding the glass recycling industry?s current state and progression. Home glass repair Chandler believes that this information can be extremely useful for anybody looking to understand the trends and patterns affecting today?s glass industry. Based on the result of the most recent economic analysis, the glass recycling industry in the United States is actually a powerful driver of economic and financial growth, affecting all major sectors of economy and its overall state. The mere fact that the glass recycling industry is a driver of job creation suggests that the industry greatly contributes to the economic growth in America. As of today, the glass recycling industry is the creator of almost 460,000 jobs, with more than $10 billion in revenues earned during 2011.

Home glass repair Chandler imagines that the glass recycling industry is not simply an essential economic sector but also a vital element of the country?s recycling philosophy. Everybody seeks to become sustainable and ethical, and glass recycling is just one of the many ways in which individuals can protect the environment and reduce environmental costs. Glass recycling is one of the rare cases when a whole industry operates successfully, despite the serious financial difficulties facing the U.S. Definitely, glass recycling will help America to alleviate the burden of both economic and environmental difficulties.

Efficient windows: what?s new? Gilbert Glass has a lot to share with you! The glass industry constantly evolves, and it is extremely important for our customers and suppliers to stay abreast of the latest changes in the glass window production field. Today, we want to pay some attention to the way glass windows should be incorporated in new buildings. This is a new topic, since today?s glass industry professionals emphasize the importance of constant collaboration between them and their construction industry colleagues. We know that designing new homes is not an easy task. Even more difficult is the task of building a new home that is harmonious and safe. This is why it is essential to consider the question of windows and glass at the earliest stages of the construction process.

What do you need to know if you are going to build a new home for yourself? First, your windows must meet the energy code requirements for your zone. Ask Gilbert Glass to explain the benefits and principles of energy-efficient glass window design. Second, you must ensure that the glass windows you choose for your new home utilize the benefits of natural energy, including sunlight, to the fullest but do not distort the way your new home looks. Window performance is being influenced by a variety of factors, which include but are not limited to climate and location, shading conditions and window orientation, window area and location in your new home, window type and even the way your window is installed. We at Gilbert Glass pay considerable attention to all these things. You will not have to worry about the quality of your windows and your comfort in the house. For example, if your house is south-oriented, optimize orientation to get most of your windows on the south side of your home. This way, you will get plenty of warmth and sunlight to keep your home warm during cold times. Remember, that when it comes to glass windows, it is always better to trust the business to distinguished professionals: we at Gilbert Glass are ready to fulfill even the most challenging glass window task!

Indirect gain: What is it? In the previous blog, we spoke about the benefits and principles of direct gain. However, passive solar design is not limited to it. Indirect gain is just another element of the passive solar design game, and we at Mesa Glass are willing to tell more about its benefits and strengths. Unlike direct gain windows, where energy from the sun comes directly through the window and is absorbed by the interior constructions, such as floors or walls, indirect gain windows operate through an energy storage located between them and the interior. For example, many specialists in the glass industry use a Trombe wall consisting of a 8-16 inch masonry material, always on the southern side of the house. This is critical, since most sunlight energy comes from the south. This is why we always tell our customers that, when designing their homes and windows, they should be extremely considerate with the choice of the location, climate, and home design. Using a masonry wall on the south side of the house is a good solution to many energy problems that emerge on a daily basis. With a Trombe wall on the southern side of your house, you will have a dark surface absorbing the sunlight and a mass of wall material keeping this energy to get it back into the living space, when there is no sun.

One of the major benefits of indirect gain windows is that the mason wall used in it releases the energy from the sun several hours. However, we at Mesa Glass cannot ignore the fact that indirect gain windows are difficult to manage in home and business buildings that have been completed. Certainly, indirect gain windows and walls present a perfect solution to many energy problems, but only at the stage of design. This is why we recommend that our glass professionals and your construction agents work together to create a perfect home for you!