The past two decades of commercial building have seen a growing preference for glass façades. People often tend to associate highly-glazed frontages with expensive buildings, but that is not necessarily the case, as both the type of glass used and the architectural design can alter the building costs greatly.
Advocates of a glass façade on commercial buildings swear that it lowers the costs and increases the productivity of the business. A highly-glazed wall brings in a huge amount of daylight – so much so that sometimes it is necessary to mirror or dot the glass to deflect some of the glare. This natural light reduces the amount of artificial lighting required, saving energy and thus lowering both the company’s overheads and its carbon footprint. A large glass surface area is also a method of temperature control, letting heat in as well as conducting it away, keeping the building warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The link to outside space created by a glazed exterior also makes for a happier and healthier workforce, which in turn increases productivity.
Some businesses believe glass also creates a positive company image for clients; the clear glass is supposed to represent corporate openness and transparency. This positive impression depends entirely on the windows being spotlessly shiny. In the past, some businesses were put off by the difficulty of keeping entire buildings made of glass clean, but today such maintenance is easy. High level window cleaning services operate on a large scale and are the most cost effective and safe way of keeping a glass façade sparkling. High level cleaning is a field that requires specialist equipment and training; it must not be attempted by an ordinary window cleaner or member of staff. Of course, an employee may help to keep the insides of the windows clean, but cleaning the outside of a glass building should always be contracted out.
With the possible financial and environmental benefits on offer, as well as a potentially happier workforce and an enhanced corporate image, it is no wonder that glass façades are more popular than ever. They may require upkeep to maintain their impressive appearance, but this is easily done and well worth the effort.