Glass Block Blogger

Daylighting with Glass Block
New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia

In the design of a home or commercial building, the choices for lighting are either artificial light; or to bring in natural light.

Daylighting is the process of using natural light for illumination rather than the use of artificial light. As the Daylighting Collaborative states, “Daylighting is the result of a combination of art and science, of architecture and engineering.”

If the design and material choice are done properly, even a cloudy day can produce effective lighting in an internal space. The benefits are reduced energy costs and a more pleasant living area.

The use of natural light is critical in Sustainable Design. While the use of no single construction material can earn LEED® (leadership in energy & environmental design) points, Daylighting and Daylighting products can be part of an overall strategy to earn LEED points in several categories.

The choices in building materials to achieve Daylighting are many. For decades, Pittsburgh Corning has helped architects achieve successful Daylighting strategies through the use of its iconic Glass Block. Today, with new advances in pre‐fabricated and custom engineered architectural systems, Pittsburgh Corning is offering a complete line of Daylighting possibilities – those limited only by the imagination.

The R-value for Premiere Series glass block is 1.96 – more than twice the R-value for flat, single-pane glazing (Thinline™ Series glass blocks have slightly lower R-values of 1.75). You can add the benefits of increased protection from solar heat gain with LX FIBROUS GLASS INSERTS. In addition, Glass Block’s horizontal joints produce a louvering effect, which helps reduce light transmission from the higher sun. This degree of insulation comes to you without the maintenance and upkeep demands of your conventional windows.

For Daylighting, Glass Block offers versatility in design, efficient use of light, and pleasing aesthetics.

Call Us at Eastern Glass Block

Contact us at Eastern Glass Block. We will help you in your installation and design planning. We have over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential Glass Block design and installation. We would love to hear about your plans and share our expertise with you.