47 Glass

Glass: 

Technically glass is still a liquid and very, very slowly it deforms by the earths gravity.

As a result of this deformation the view through and the reflections in “old” glass are distorted.

Part of the charm of old buildings is obtained by the distortion in the old glass.

Once one is aware of this phenomenon you will always recognise it immediately.

Monumental glass is a new glass whit a destortion build into it.

In Northern Europe (the Netherlands, Germany etc.) it is used in the restoration of old buildings to match the existing glass; hence the name Monumental glass.

I haven’t found it in New Zealand yet.

In the rebuild of House Muschamp the aim is to retain the charm of an old house, to obtain as much thermal insulation as reasonable achievable and to comply with safety regulations wherever necessary.

Monumental glass is a single glass but can be used as a pane in double glazing.

Therefore not only the old look but also a thermal insulation value can be obtained.

However visually a comprise is made since the depth of the glass rebate has to be increased and, more importantly, instead of putty, timber beats have to be used to fix the glass.

Van Ruysdael in Delft, the Netherlands has developed (and patented) a laminated type of glass that comprises qualities of a distorted reflection, thermal insulation (3.1W/m2.K), safety (P2a), heat reflection and noise reduction in a single pane.

The glass is called VR34.29 or Van Ruysdael 6.5mm éclair® glass.

The 6.5mm éclair® glass can be set in putty and alteration to the glass rebate is reduced to a few mm’s.

The 6.5mm éclair® glass is much more expansive and needs to be imported from the Netherlands.