Flooring and Decks

Glass flooring can be specified in various applications to provide unique aesthetics and atmosphere in building interiors. This unique design allows light to transfer between spaces and can have additional lighting installed underneath. Glass flooring is typically made with laminated glass to ensure durability and to protect occupants if it is damaged. Fabrication, coatings, and lamination help protect the floor from scratches or other damage that can be caused by occupants and pets.

In residential settings, these stunning floors are popular for many reasons, including the transmission of light through spaces and easy maintenance. Spills can be easily wiped up without damaging the surface.

In commercial applications, glass flooring has all the aforementioned benefits and can also be used in catwalks and bridges. Structural glass beams can be used in footbridges and other elevated walkways. Beams are created from layers of tempered, low-iron safety glass. Beams are drilled, edged, and polished to ensure structural integrity.

Glass decks have recently increased in popularity, providing additional light transfer as opposed to alternate opaque materials. The deck and stairs can include integrated railings and non-slip surfaces that meet ANSI safety standards. Glass deck flooring can be clear in order to see what’s below, or frosted to allow natural light to filter in places where visibility may not be necessary or privacy required. Glass flooring in rooftops and bridges is also increasing in popularity in urban settings and as part of outdoor tourist attractions.

Stairs

Glass stairs can create a unique aesthetic in interior spaces. The tempered glass used in glass stair applications is typically laminated to ensure strength and durability while supporting the weight of people walking on them. Stairs can be created in a variety of shapes and sizes. Staircases can be straight or curved, can incorporate glass railings and span several floors. Floor panels can be coated to create a non-slip surface, providing safety for occupants.

Decorative Panels and Finishes

Large decorative glass panels are being specified and installed in more and more residential applications because of their versatility and aesthetically pleasing qualities. These panels can be used in shower installations, interior sliding glass doors, and glass facades and doors that lead to exterior spaces.

Panels can be frosted, etched, or digitally printed to include designs and offer privacy.

UNDERSTANDING HIGH-QUALITY GLAZING SYSTEMS

High-quality glazing systems are often applied to large sheet glass to make it stronger, more durable, and more energy efficient. There are many high-quality glazing options that can provide extra protection and benefits while also determining what percentages of heat and light are reflected, transmitted, or absorbed. Coatings may make the glass more durable and allow it to perform better while also affecting color, transparency, and reflectivity. Framing supporting the glass can also make large glass more durable, thus providing safety for occupants in the form of impact-resistant glass.

FOUNTAIN PLACE EXTERIOR FAÇADE

Photo courtesy of Timothy Hursley

Fountain Place in Dallas features a full glass exterior with various types of glazing and interior etched glass panels.

Location: Dallas, Texas
Architect: Gensler (Executive Architect) & James Carpenter Design Associates
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Metal Systems Manufacturer: Sentech Architectural Systems
Facade Engineering, Design & Material Supply: Sentech Architectural Systems
Contract Glazier: Admiral Glass Company

In 1986, I.M. Pei designed Fountain Place for the Dallas skyline. The renowned architect designed many notable buildings during his career, including the Louvre in Paris, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, to name a few. In 2019, after two years of restoration work and $50 million in upgrades, the 58-story Fountain Place office tower was complete. Restoration efforts included updates to the building lobby and exterior facade.

The building is best known for its large glass panels that measure 29 feet, 6 inches by 10 feet, totaling approximately 6,720 square feet of structural glass. The glass panels are 1-5/8 inches thick, low-iron, tempered laminated glass with interlayers.

Framing materials included adjustable moment-resistant structural perimeter channels, clad in stainless steel with a #4 brushed finish, and sliding moment-resistant head brackets. The renovation’s scope of work also included structural glass vestibules, a structural glass pavilion wall, structural glass guardrails, structural glass interior walls, and elevator enclosures built with custom cast glass panels.