Glass as a Building Material

Glass is a versatile building material made by cooling quickly melted silica sand, resulting in a transparent, durable sheet. It allows natural light to enter buildings while providing a barrier against weather. Glass can be manufactured in various forms—such as panels, windows, and facades—often treated or coated for added strength, insulation, or aesthetic effects. It’s valued for enhancing visual appeal, creating a sense of openness, and improving energy efficiency when properly designed. Although fragile if unprotected, modern methods have significantly increased glass's strength and safety, making it a widespread choice in contemporary architecture.