Materials

Aim

To recognise and encourage adequate protection of exposed elements of the building and landscape, therefore minimising the frequency of replacement and maximising materials optimisation.

Our contribution

Saint-Gobain Glass offers a range of glass products, made of sustainable materials, that prevent damage and material degradation of buildings, thereby offering total safety and security. 

• Protecting vulnerable parts of the building from damage  

Saint-Gobain offers various ranges of glass to ensure strong protection against building damage caused by pedestrian traffic, vehicular movement or collision, vandalism or burglary, through its laminated and toughened glass.

Laminated safety and security glass comprises two or more sheets of glass bonded together with one or more interlayers of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film. This way, if the glass breaks, the fragments of glass are held in place by the PVB interlayer(s), protecting the building and its occupants. Some examples of high-resistant laminated glass are: STADIP and STADIP PROTECT ; and STADIP BUILDER, our latest innovation, with a structural PVB that is 10 times stronger than standard PVB at room temperature, enabling it to sustain higher uniform loads and retain safety after breakage.

Furthermore, thermally toughened safety glass, such as SECURIT, provides significantly increased resistance to mechanical and thermal stresses. If the glass breaks, it fragments safely into small pieces with dulled edges.

• Protecting exposed parts of the building from material degradation

Saint-Gobain Glass products can also contribute to decreasing damage to interior materials and promoting lower replacement frequency. The PVB interlayer in the STADIP range filters out the majority of UV rays. This glazing can be used to reduce the discoloration or fading of items inside a building that are exposed to direct sunlight.

BIOCLEAN is the ideal cleaning solution for external glazing that is exposed to light and rain. Thanks to this low-maintenance, self-cleaning glass, windows and glazed facades stay cleaner for longer and less dirt and grime adhere to the glass. 

In extreme weather conditions, where snow might cause material degradation, EGLAS, an electric glass unit, is a good solution as the glass stays clear and dry with no condensation. This solution also reduces the risk of glass roofs crushing under the weight of snow.