Flat glasses – find manufacturers and suppliers

Flat glasses are glass products with plane-parallel surfaces that are produced in sheets or plates and are characterized by a uniform thickness and smooth, even surfaces.

The best-known manufacturing method is the float glass process, in which the molten glass is poured onto a bath of liquid tin. This gives the glass a perfect surface and uniform thickness.

Below you will find an overview of the properties and types of flat glasses as well as an overview of the areas of application and the possibilities for further processing:

Properties of flat glasses:

1. Optical properties:
   High light transmission (up to over 90% depending on the type of glass)
   Distortion-free transparency thanks to plane-parallel surfaces.
   They can be provided with anti-reflective, tinted or mirrored layers.
2. Mechanical properties:
   Generally non-load-bearing, but very pressure-resistant.
   They can be thermally toughened, e.g. to create single-pane safety glass or laminated with plastic films to create laminated safety glass.
3. Thermal properties:
   Flat glass has relatively poor thermal insulation.
   They are often processed into insulating glass: Multiple glass panes with gas filling and coatings.
4. Sound insulation:
   With special construction, flat glass can also serve as soundproof glass
5. Coating options:
   Low-E coating for thermal insulation.
   Solar control coatings.
   Self-cleaning coatings (hydrophilic or photocatalytic).

Types of flat glasses:

1. Float glass. The standard base glass.
2. Toughened safety glass (ESG). Thermally toughened, breaks into small crumbs.
3. Laminated safety glass (LSG): Two or more panes glued together with foil, holds together in the event of breakage.
4. Insulating glass: Several panes with spacers for better thermal insulation.
5. Soundproof glass: Asymmetrical structure for sound insulation.
6. Solar control glass: Provided with a reflection or absorption layer.
7. Smart glass: Glass that reacts to electricity, heat or light.

Areas of application for flat glasses:

1. Construction:
Windows, doors, façade glazing.
Roof glazing, conservatories.
Partition walls and railings, e.g. made of laminated safety glass.
Insulating glass (double or triple glazing).
Fire-resistant glazing.

2. Interior design and furniture:
Glass doors, glass walls and shower partitions.
Table tops, shelves.
Kitchen splashbacks and mirrors.

3. Traffic engineering:
Vehicle windows with special safety requirements.
Train and airplane windows.

4. Electrical and solar technology:
Screens, displays e.g. Gorilla Glass.
Photovoltaic modules (glass cover for solar cells).
Smart glass (electrochromic, switchable).

Further processing of flat glasses:

Flat glasses can be shaped and finished in many ways:

• Cutting, drilling, grinding, polishing.
• Bending (thermal or chemical).
• Laminating with foils.
• Printing or painting.
• Coating with metal or plastic layers.

Flat glasses ars used for translucent partitioning, thermal insulation, soundproofing and protection in buildings, vehicles and technical equipment. They are also used for decorative purposes and enable modern designs in architecture and interior design.

Below is an overview of the most important points to consider when buying flat glasses:

When buying flat glasses, you should pay attention to the appropriate glass type, thickness, processing as well as safety-related standards and conditions of use. In addition, quality, coatings, delivery conditions and the supplier's service are decisive for an economically and technically sensible choice.

• Before purchasing flat glass, it should be precisely defined what the glass is to be used for. The requirements vary greatly depending on the intended use:
• Is thermal insulation required (e.g. insulating glass)?
• Do safety and breakage protection play a role (e.g. toughened safety glass or laminated safety glass)?
• Is the focus on design or light control (e.g. frosted or colored glass)?
• Is sun protection, sound insulation or fire protection required?
• It is important to determine the type of glass and the technical specifications before purchasing:
• Float glass, ESG, VSG?
• Glass thickness (thickness in mm) - depending on mechanical load, safety requirements and installation situation.
• Edge processing - e.g. seamed, ground or polished (important for visible edges or safety).
• Shapes and cut-outs - e.g. drill holes, corner cut-outs, curves.
• These details have a considerable influence on price, delivery time and availability.
• Depending on the area of application, it should be checked whether additional coatings or surface treatments are necessary:
• Low-E coatings for better thermal insulation.
• Solar control coatings (absorbent or reflective).
• Anti-reflective coating for optical applications.
• Self-cleaning surfaces, especially for outdoor use.
• Satin finishes, screen printing, colored glass or lacquering for aesthetic purposes.
• It is worth making a precise comparison of quality and durability here.
• Particularly for safety-relevant applications (façades, roofs, railings, interior glazing), it is crucial that the glass:
• Comply with national and European standards, e.g. DIN EN 12150, EN 14449, EN 1279.
• Have building authority approvals or certificates.
• Have testable and certifiable properties, e.g. pendulum impact test for laminated safety glass.
• When purchasing, be sure to request proof and certificates.
• Flat glass is sensitive during transportation and storage. Therefore, pay attention to the packaging and adequate transport protection.
• A reliable logistics partner is worth its weight in gold here.
• The more complex a project is, the more important it is to have an experienced and service-oriented glass supplier.
• A good price-performance ratio can be recognized by transparency and technical advice, not just by the quoted price
• Pay attention to hidden additional costs such as cutting, edge processing, coatings or transportation
• Quality has its price - cheap glass can become more expensive in the long term, e.g. due to reworking, glass breakage, poor insulation values.
• In the future, it will become increasingly important to design projects sustainably. Therefore, also pay attention to the recyclability of the glass, ask for environmental certificates, e.g. EPDs - Environmental Product Declarations, and find out about the CO₂ footprint during production.

Flat glass is a versatile material that plays a key role in architecture, technology and design. When purchasing, it is important to know the technical requirements, standards and areas of application precisely and to work with a qualified supplier in order to optimally combine quality, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Flat glasses can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Flat glasses from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.