What types of glass are used in curtain wall systems?

Curtain wall systems use various glass types, each selected based on performance requirements:

1. **Low-E Glass (Low-Emissivity):** Coated glass that reflects infrared heat while allowing visible light transmission. Essential for energy-efficient buildings. Available in single-silver, double-silver, and triple-silver coatings for progressively better thermal performance.

2. **Insulating Glass Units (IGU):** Double or triple-glazed units with sealed air or argon/krypton gas-filled cavities. Provides thermal insulation and condensation control.

3. **Laminated Glass:** Two or more glass plies bonded with PVB or SGP interlayer. Used for safety (retains broken glass), security, and acoustic insulation. Required in seismic zones and overhead glazing.

4. **Tempered Glass:** Heat-treated glass that breaks into small, safe fragments. Used where safety glazing is required. Has 4-5x the strength of annealed glass.

5. **Heat-Strengthened Glass:** Partially tempered glass with 2x the strength of annealed glass. Used where tempered glass is too prone to spontaneous breakage (nickel sulfide inclusions).

6. **Ceramic Fritted Glass:** Glass with ceramic ink fired into the surface for solar control and decorative effects. Reduces glare and heat gain.

7. **Electrochromic (Smart) Glass:** Glass that changes tint electronically in response to sunlight. Emerging technology for dynamic solar control.

FOWALL's integrated supply chain includes architectural glass sourcing with strict quality control. Their engineering team specifies glass types based on each project's thermal, structural, acoustic, and aesthetic requirements, ensuring compliance with international curtain wall standards.