The magic of glass houses - a look through the prism of doubt
Structures of stunning beauty, giving a feeling of spaciousness, limitless lightness, transparency and maximum proximity to nature ...
Doesn’t it look like a fragment from an insanely beautiful, but impossible dream?
This is not entirely true, since such houses are no longer a rarity in modern architecture. Over the past century, the number of those who strive to feel the fullness of life has been steadily growing. The glass walls of the home allow their owners to enjoy the whisper of foliage outside the window, clouds floating in the sky and unique sunsets every day. The rooms are filled with sunlight and seem more spacious.
But a few hundred years ago, glass houses were not built anywhere in the world. And when the Englishman Joseph Paxton decided to build in 1851 the glass pavilion necessary for the first ever World Exhibition, this idea seemed crazy to many. And only after 1931 thanks to the Glass House - a design created by French architects, this direction gained recognition around the world.
The construction of transparent houses is based on frame technology, the origins of which date back to half-timbered constructions of Germany. As you know, "fachwerk" (from the German word "fach", ie cell) is a rigid frame made of wood, including a complex of beams and braces, forming sectors of a large area. The half-timbered construction, in addition to the decorative function, gives the structure reliability, stability and durability.
A little bit about the safety of glass buildings
Glass houses, contrary to popular belief, are very practical and completely safe.
Most often in the construction of transparent houses they use such materials as:
- wooden;
- aluminum;
- steel;
- plastic ones.
The use of advanced technology allows you to give this material special strength. Glass intended for housing construction has a special composition and undergoes special processing.
- various composite materials;
- transparent slate.
Seven advantages of a house built of glass
1. Such buildings have a very modern look. They are very spectacular and extremely attractive. Most of all, the interior of transparent buildings will appeal to lovers of all the extraordinary and extravagant.
2. Due to the unique qualities of glass, its possibilities for use in home interiors are endless. With sufficient determination and financial capabilities, you can realize any, even the most fantastic idea.
3. The construction of glass structures is carried out using the most advanced technologies. In the process of creating houses, various engineering and construction know-how are used: hermetic and energy-saving materials, solar collectors, and even the system known as the “smart house”. All this provides the highest quality facilities.
4. The construction of such houses - from the project to the completion of the interior takes no more than a year due to the fact that their frames are manufactured in the factory and delivered to the place of assembly in finished form.
5. The excellent illumination of glass houses contributes to significant energy savings. The use of glass makes the rooms not just bright, but practically transparent. The abundance of sunlight in the house contributes to maintaining a positive attitude among its owners and saves on lighting for those who live in the northern regions. If you use glass with a special coating that delays infrared rays, you can simultaneously reduce the cost of air conditioning with heating.
6.Glass constructions have a well-thought-out communication system, which is designed at the design stage of the project, and does not spoil the appearance of the room at all. Air conditioners are mounted in subceiling structures. All pipes are hidden from prying eyes under the floor and are almost invisible.
7. Glass buildings are characterized by a high degree of fire safety. They do not suffer from moisture and are resistant to corrosion. Modern designs of glass and aluminum are designed for a significant service life - over 100 years.
And most importantly: the house in the country, built of glass, gives its owners the opportunity to be closer to nature. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery outside the window at any time of the day without leaving a cozy room. And it doesn’t matter that the weather doesn’t always mean walking: inside a transparent house it is comfortable at any time of the year. In such an environment it is very good to rest and relax.
During the construction of glass houses, the most open layout is used, providing for a minimum of partitions, a large size of the premises, the laconicism of decorative elements.
Three main disadvantages of glass houses
1. The construction of a cottage made of glass is available only to very wealthy people. The use of high-tech materials and modern techniques in the construction of a building significantly affects its value.
2. The owners of such houses expect significant costs for cleaning the outer surface of the glass from snow. When glass panels are cooled, condensation forms on their inner side. It is possible to reduce the intensity of its precipitation using special desiccants. When developing a project for glass construction, it is important to remember that the supporting profiles and frames must be suitable for the maintenance of the entire mounted system.
3. Transparent houses are completely unsuitable for people who carefully protect their personal living space from the prying eyes of others. They are not yet ready to let in strangers, and this is their personal right. The most glazed housing options are chosen by those who look to the future with optimism. As a rule, such people are cheerful, ready for communication and cooperation.
Glass constructions fascinate with their stunning beauty and airiness. And let, not everyone decides on such a bold experiment, one thing is certain: glass houses will not leave anyone indifferent!