Also known as spider glass fitting or spider glass facet, spider glazing is an innovative method for assembling bolted glass and integrating it into an all-glass construction. Via point-fixings using steel fixtures, a spider glazing system includes connected large glass panels. They’re adjoined with the panels into a façade with just a little hardware fitting required; the most common material used for this fitting is stainless steel.
The glass panels’ size and the proportion of steel required all depend upon client requirements and the designer’s blueprint. Apart from these two, the spider glazing system uses fasteners and spider brackets. When looked at from a distance, the steel structures give an illusion of a mechanical spider – which is why it is known as spider glazing
Features of Spider Glazing
Spider glazing is nothing short of an architectural marvel. Given below are a few spell-bounding features of this avant-garde construction system.
Flexibility
One of the key benefits of spider glazing is the vast capacity it has for architectural projects. The flexibility of spider glazing is such that a variety of glass structures can be made – from frameless entrances to canopies. The prominent parts of spider glazing are glass and hardware fitting – both being elastic materials that provide versatility in designs.
The adaptability of glass and malleability of stainless steel enable them to fit into curtain walls and canopies – building the basic framework of a spider glazing system. This is the reason why many corporate facilities are surrounded by spider glass façades.
In addition to texture-related customisations, spider glazing offers customisation in three other areas – performance, thickness, and colours. As a result, architects and designers can let their imaginations run wild.
Crystal-clear View
Structures constructed out of spider glazing systems have the highest glass-to-body ratios. Meaning, that such structures have more of glass and less of the hardware material, say, steel. As a result, they are see-through. Not only do spider glazing systems look breathtaking from the outside, but they also allow the people inside to have an uninterrupted view of the gorgeous outdoors.
Moreover, given the inherent nature of glass, such structures also allow ample natural light to invade the interiors, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting, and bringing down energy bills. But the benefits do not end here. When installed with heat-reflective glass, such systems also enhance the energy-efficiency quotient of the interiors, maintaining ideal indoor temperature and lowering the need for heating and cooling systems.
Strong and Robust
“Sure, an all-glass infrastructure does look amazing, but can it maintain its appeal for long periods?”
Yes, it can. The glass used in spider glazing isn’t your average glass that breaks easily. It is a highly advanced glass manufactured using thermal or chemical tempering – toughened or tempered glass. Toughened glass is four to five times stronger than normal annealed glass and can withstand weather fluctuations, external elements, heavy wind loads, etc.
Moreover, spider glazing systems can also withstand external pressure. When stress is applied, the steel fixtures around the glass panes act as weight distributors. All static and dynamic loads like the weight of other glass panes, wind loads, snowfall, etc. get dispersed throughout the structure – making it impossible for any force to break through the glazing.
Spider glazing is often used in areas with high population density, for example – malls, crowded complexes, showrooms, hotels, etc. The purpose of such places is to attracting as many visitors as they can. But their safety also becomes a huge challenge, but not anymore with secure spider glazing systems!
Now, spider glazing is mostly about glass and if you want to incorporate spider glazing in your next architectural project, make sure to source it from a reputed glass manufacturer.
We offer premium hardware solutions like AIDO by DormaKaba for all kinds of Spider Glazing – security, energy efficiency, privacy, acoustic insulation, and much more. Our experts will give you 360-degree support, right from the time of product selection to installation, even post-installation.
