Comment: Why structural glass is the ‘optimum choice’ for design

Peter Hazeldean, MD of structural and architectural glass firm Ion Glass, shares his knowledge and understanding of structural glass within the hotel industry. From the entrance door welcoming guests to your hotel to the design of your bathrooms, there are many areas where the use of architectural glass can improve the look, style and functionality of your building. Consider glass as a highly versatile structural material that is robust, easy to maintain and meets a wide range of, both interior and exterior, design criteria. First impressions Creating a first impression is important. Glass doors allow visitors a welcoming view of the interior as well as permitting those inside to see who is arriving. Use of glass in your entranceway will open up the interior by letting light flow into the building and, especially for older properties, a dark entrance or reception area can be transformed by a replacing a traditional door with a contemporary glass alternative, whilst at the same time minimising draughts and promoting heat retention. A wholly bespoke glass door gives plenty of flexibility in terms of size, shape and function, fitting into arched or unusual shapes and providing the option of full security, locking systems, alarms or fire-protection. Single or double glass doors can be hinged or sliding and can be installed with fully automatic opening and closing mechanisms - providing easy access for guests with luggage while maintaining temperature and security. There’s also the option to customise the glass, with the addition of your logo or message to feature on the doors, either sandblasted or etched into the glass or as an applied glass manifestation. Bespoke bathrooms are worth the investment Installing glass shower screens in your bathrooms might seem obvious but choosing fully bespoke frameless screens takes your bathroom to a different level of style and offers much more flexibility with regard to use of the space. A wet shower-room with a fully frameless screen creates an illusion of spaciousness, while clever use of folding doors on a frameless shower enclosure can maximise the space where there is simply not enough room to install a standard door. Bespoke shower enclosures can be fitted into more awkward or difficult spaces too, tucked under sloping ceilings, or maximising the space at the end of the bath. Where a separate shower is not an option a bespoke fixed or folding bath screen can optimise an over-bath shower whilst maintaining a high-end, luxury look and feel in the bathroom. Over-sized mirrors can increase the feeling of space too. You might want to consider the use of back painted or coloured glass to replace bathroom tiles. Available in any RAL, Pantone or Dulux colour to match or complement your colour scheme, glass is easy to clean and doesn’t have the issues often encountered with maintaining tile grout in damp environments. Perfect in wet environments Ease of maintenance is a significant consideration in spas and leisure environments too. Consider the benefits of stylish glass cubicles in changing areas, with fully opaque coloured or sandblasted glass for privacy. A glass wall provides a contemporary alternative to an all-wooden sauna and is ideal when installing a steam room. Using glass will allow people to see inside without comprising on the heat benefits or restricting size or space and specifying a frameless door will retain the sleek and flawless appearance. Glass vision panels can be a stunning design feature in your swimming pool: The magnificent pool at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa has vision panels with an infinity edge around the perimeter of the pool, visually suspending the water above ground level. Glass for privacy Dividing spaces with glass partitions or glass walls retains the feeling of light and space but can raise issues regarding privacy if you are creating a meeting room. The technology available in glass ensures that meeting rooms can be created that are not only acoustically private but can offer visual privacy as well. Switchable glass becomes clear at the touch of a button, opening up the space, while in its opaque state creates a private space for the occupants. A qualified glass expert will be able to advise on switchable glass technology and the use of other specialist options such as acoustic or fire-rated glass. Unique Design Using structural glass opens up a multitude of design possibilities and colour options. The glass itself can be specified in crystal clear ‘low iron’ glass; clear float (typically with a slight greenish tinge) or you can choose tinted glass, creating subtle colour and obscurity. Sandblasting can provide full or partial obscurity, a pattern (your choice) or even your logo. Specialist printing techniques make it possible to take a four-colour design and permanently print it onto glass - creating a full back lit image on a glass wall makes an impressive design statement in your reception or bar area. Use of an applied glass manifestation is a safety requirement for glass screens and doors, ensuring the glass is fully visible and avoiding accidental collision - but the use of a bespoke manifestation can complement or enhance the design of your building. Discussing your design concepts with a specialist glass expert ensures that your installation is fully compliant, meeting all building, health and safety regulations. Saving money by specifying the wrong type of glass could prove an expensive mistake if the result is non-compliant. Sometimes the difference is only a few millimetres or an additional fixing but the result becomes a safety risk to your guests and staff. However, used correctly, glass is a beautiful and versatile design solution, enhancing so many areas of your hotel. About the Author Peter Hazeldean is MD of Ion Glass, specialists in bespoke solutions in structural glass with a scope of work ranging from external and internal glass doors; multiple shower enclosures in bathrooms; balustrades; spa and leisure areas; glass walls, partition and linkways. With many years of experience they can offer the technical advice to take your design from concept to fulfilment.