As climate change and depleting fossil fuels become a more significant issue, the focus has shifted towards incorporating sustainable practices into our industries – and architecture is no exception.
Glass and aluminum are two materials frequently used in the construction industry and can contribute significantly towards green building practices.
Let’s look at how these materials can help pave the way for a more eco-friendly future.
Glass & Energy Efficiency
For its aesthetic contribution, glass is commonly used in architecture – it opens up indoor spaces and increases visual connectivity. But while single-pane glass can do wonders for your interior design, it’s not as great on the energy front. Single-pane glass leads to energy loss, which pushes up your heating and cooling costs.
The good news is that insulated glass units are an energy-efficient version that does the job pretty well. These consist of more than one glass pane separated by an insulating space. This results in significantly lower heat transfer levels, thus keeping the building cool in summer and warm in winter.
Insulated glass reduces energy consumption and associated costs and lowers carbon emissions from heating and cooling systems.
Glass & Natural Light
Maximizing natural light is a crucial aspect of green practices. Glass is a significant contributor, allowing indoor spaces to use natural light. From large windows and glass walls to skylights, glass can reduce reliance on artificial lighting during the day. Not only is this good for your mental health, but also significantly reduces energy consumption.
To top it off, glass is also very recyclable, which adds to its eco-friendliness.
Aluminum Framing Systems
Aluminum is pretty much a staple when it comes to modern construction practices. It’s lightweight and durable, which makes it an excellent choice on this front. But that’s not all that aluminum can do.
Aluminum framing has several advantages from a green perspective. For one thing, it’s highly recyclable, which makes it an exceptionally environmentally friendly choice. Aluminum procured from building demolitions can easily be used in new constructions. The recycling process is also very energy efficient compared to new material production.
On top of that, aluminum frames are great at accommodating the insulated glass units mentioned earlier, which adds to the energy efficiency.
The resistance to corrosion and its natural longevity means that buildings constructed with aluminum framing have a much longer lifespan and require fewer replacements and repairs. As such, waste and the energy required to carry out the replacements are reduced.
Solar Energy Integration
Solar energy is one of the most widely known forms of environmentally friendly industrial practices. Aluminum and glass play a significant role since they are great for incorporating solar energy systems into buildings.
The glass’s transparency and aluminum framing’s durability allow for solar panels to be incorporated within windows and buildings, allowing for renewable energy usage during the day and reducing energy consumption from traditional sources.
The use of these two materials will undoubtedly play a significant role in creating a green future, particularly as we continue to innovate on their uses and find new solutions.
Build Sustainably With Sky Glass Materials
Sky Building Materials offers the perfect solutions if you’re looking for high-quality glass and aluminum products for your green construction project. Find what you need from our range of products, and let’s move on to a more sustainable future together! Sky Building Materials is your go-to destination for all your building material needs. With two convenient locations in Dallas, Texas, and Houston, Texas. Our Dallas location, 10835 Shady Trail, Dallas, TX 75220, can be reached at 972.807.9616. You can find us in Houston at 4600 S Pinemont Dr suite #164, Houston, TX 77041, and can be reached at 346.200.5046. Visit us at either of our locations or get an online quote and discover a wide range of high-quality building materials to bring your projects to life.