in security situations, and sometimes as a protection to vulnerable
skylights.
Laminated glasses
Similar methods of manufacture are used for laminating sheets of plastic
between sheets of glass, again used for security reasons as resistance to
impact. These reduce the transmission of daylight.
In museums where exhibits are exposed to daylight, it will be necessary
to control the entry of UV light. This may be done by the use of laminated
glasses, where UV absorbing filters can be laminated between the sheets
of clear glass.
Glass blocks
These were a popular form of glass wall in the 1930s, having thermal
characteristics due to the hollow nature of the blocks, which, because of
their structural nature are still in use today for the introduction of
daylight into new buildings, but special openings will be required to
provide a view.
High tech glazing
There are a number of glazing types which fall into this category, the
most advanced of which are the photovoltaics, where the glass itself is
designed to generate electricity from solar radiation on south facing
exposures, which can then be used within the building to reduce the
energy required for the artificial lighting. Some buildings already use this
method, and the UK Government is now putting research money into its
further development. (See Doxford International Building Park. Lighting
Modern Buildings. Case No 11, pp. 124/5).
Two other types of high tech glass deserve mention, but are not at
present economically viable for general use in buildings.
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