Glass in green buildings

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Glass in green buildings helps save energy and resources. It brings in natural daylight, offers a sky view, and can help with sound. Glass is recyclable, so recycling windows reduces waste. But it can also let in too much heat, so it must be used carefully to avoid higher cooling costs.

Architects use high‑performance double‑glazed glass that is laminated or coated to control heat. The coatings cut heat while letting light through. This approach is common in hot climates like tropical regions and the Middle East. Solar‑control glass lowers energy use and maintains daylight. With these coatings, savings can be about 14.25% on warm days, and up to about 41.53% with a higher refractive index of 3.

Laminated glass has layers (such as PVB or EVA) that reduce heat transfer and improve safety. It helps cut the need for artificial lighting by keeping daylight in. However, moisture can weaken laminated glass, reducing durability and adhesion. If cracked, it can lose about 80% of its energy‑absorbing ability and it can weather over time.

Thermochromic glass changes tint with temperature to cut glare and heat. It can lower interior temperatures by about 5.07°C and reduce cooling energy by 21–36% on sunny days. Producing this glass uses energy and materials, adding carbon emissions. Its performance also depends on using other adjustable devices to help regulate temperature.