4 minute read
THE VERSATILITY OF GLASS PROTECTIVE COATINGS IS TRULY IMPRESSIVE
Glass professionals are increasingly recognising the growing demand for highly durable spray-on glass protective coatings in the industry. With a keen eye for smarter and more sustainable glazing solutions, designers, architects, and building owners are turning to these coatings to enhance the longevity and maintenance of glass structures.
In the world of glass, aesthetics and transparency are paramount. However, the challenges of contamination and harsh environments can quickly diminish the allure of glass, leaving it difficult to clean and maintain. This is where glass protective coatings step in, offering a range of benefits that cater to the unique needs of professionals in the industry.
These coatings not only provide a shield against staining and etching but also create an easy-to-clean surface that stays cleaner between cleans, saving valuable time and effort while also reducing maintenance costs. They offer added advantages, such as protection against cement slurry during construction and safeguarding against concrete masonry runoff as the building ages. This ensures that glass structures retain their pristine appearance and performance over time.
The versatility of glass protective coatings is truly impressive. They are used in various applications such as shower glass, balustrades, and facades to functional uses in sliding doors, windows, and roof lights. Moreover, they have a role to play in specialised areas like bird-friendly glazing, automotive glass, cruise liners, trains, and even solar farms. The breadth of possibilities highlights the adaptability and utility of these coatings across different segments of the glass industry.
While alternatives to spray-on coatings, like coatings that are baked into the glass, have their place, they come with their limitations. First, they have limited easy-to cleanproperties, are only available as a singleside solution, require additional inventory management, and the inability to repair scratches or expiration of untempered stock sheets. This is where spray-on coatings shine. They offer flexibility and convenience, allowing for manual application through spray and wipe techniques or more advanced methods like HVLP spray guns. Additionally, fully automated machinery provides a level of precision and efficiency that minimises bottlenecks and reduces labour requirements, maximising productivity for glass processors.
As glass professionals, it is important to embrace the transformative power of glass protective coatings. By incorporating these coatings into our projects, we can elevate the performance and longevity of glass structures while maintaining their aesthetic appeal. The ability to provide enhanced protection against staining, etching, and the ease of cleaning is a testament to the continuous innovation in our industry.
With the demand for sustainable and lowmaintenance solutions on the rise, glass protective coatings are not just a trend but a necessity. They offer an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to delivering high-quality and durable glass solutions to our clients. By staying at the forefront of this technology, we can ensure that our glass projects stand the test of time and continue to exceed expectations.
Projects such as the landmark McKinney & Olive building is a one-of-a-kind, 20-story structure, designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli. Its distinctive geometric design features a sheer curved glass façade and stands as the tallest building in Uptown Dallas, USA. The building is easily recognisable by its striking architecture, offering 150,000 m2 of worldclass office space with lofty 10-foot ceiling heights framed with floor to ceiling insulated windows, plus exclusive restaurant, and retail in the vibrant neighbourhood of Uptown Dallas.
McKinney & Olive operates at the highest level of efficiency and sustainability. The iconic building is LEED v4 O+M: EB Gold certified. As green cleaning practices contribute to LEED credits, EnduroShield was specified to be applied to the 23,000 m2 of facade glass to protect against corrosion, etching, and staining, making the glass far easier to clean.
Closer to home, the Sydney Metro Northwest consisted of eight new metro stations and five upgraded stations. Glass canopies, 6000 m2, across the above-ground stations were treated with EnduroShield. The team worked with Empire Facades on the specifications for treating the futuristic style, multi-faceted glass roofing designed by international urban architects Hassell Studio. The coating was applied in-factory and the glass panels were then delivered to site and lifted into place.
