Glass is an integral part of our everyday lives and one of the most important and commonly used of building materials. We use glass in almost every aspect of our lives from using glass tableware to living in homes made of glass, for decoration and innovation, for manufacturing and commercial purposesthe list goes on and on.
Originally caused by the superheating of silica particles (sand) through natural geological processes
glass technologies has fascinated mankind from the earliest days of civilization. We soon learned how to mimic the natural process by heating sand to extreme temperatures in open pit structures. Today we use the term "glass" to describe almost all amorphous solid substances regardless of their constituent parts.
While the early forms of glass thus made was generally quite brittle and opaque, sometime around 50 B.C craftsmen finally figured out the secrets of glass-blowing. With the beginning of the industrial revolution in the 19th century, glass making became a fully automated, modernized process.
Today
glass manufacturers work with a variety of synthetic materials and machinery and a number of different varieties of glass has been introduced to fit the growing commercial, technological and industrial needs of our society.
In the Home
There are any number of uses for glass in our homes. Some of the areas in which glass is commonly used include:
* Door and windows: in addition to the panes of glass used in various door and window installations, architects are increasingly going for solid glass structures such as sliding glass panels in a variety of decorative styles including plain, etched or frosted glass.
* Furniture solid glass tables, bars etc. add a touch of stark modern appeal to a room. Using colored block glass is another way to create visual appeal.
* Kitchen and bathroom fixtures kitchen cabinets and back splashes, shower cubiclesthe uses for glass in these two areas of the home is truly astonishing. Many glass manufacturers also add to home owners convenience by creating pre-cut and finished glass sheets that are perfect for DIY purposes.
