Building with glass starts with choosing a system for a defined purpose: glass blocks, framed glazing, and structural glazing are different assemblies, not interchangeable products. Rebuilding with glass starts earlier than demolition: plan for adaptation, document what is present, remove components selectively where appropriate, and assess each recovered item for its intended next use. Codes and engineering requirements depend on the location and the complete assembly, so project decisions need review by qualified design professionals and the local authority having jurisdiction.
Choose the glass system by what it needs to do
Compare systems by intended function, safety and performance needs, local code requirements, assembly and maintenance demands, and the possibility of repair or recovery. There is no universal ranking: the requirements for a glass-block wall differ from those for framed glazing or structural glass.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Handbook of Glass in Construction | $88.69 | Buy on Amazon |
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Fiberglass Repair and Construction Handbook | $16.66 | Buy on Amazon |
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Building With Glass: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to the Glazing Industry | $18.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Structural Glass Facades and Enclosures | $87.56 | Buy on Amazon |
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Fiber Glass Boats: Construction, Repair, and Maintenance | $13.97 | Buy on Amazon |
Glass blocks: for specified non-load-bearing applications
Glass blocks can be considered for non-load-bearing walls and horizontally spanning panels, subject to project design and applicable requirements. ISO 21690:2021 covers square, rectangular, and circular glass blocks and specifies properties and tests for these applications. As the International Organization for Standardization puts it, “This document specifies requirements for the properties of glass blocks used for the construction of non-load-bearing walls and horizontally spanning panels.” Read the ISO 21690:2021 listing.
That scope does not establish glass blocks as a substitute for a structural wall or confirm that a particular product is suitable for every exposure or project. Confirm the intended application, assembly design, and local requirements before specifying or building.
#1 Best Overall
Framed glazing: assess the complete assembly
Framed glazing is a distinct system from glass blocks and structural sealant glazing. The evidence cited here does not establish a universal specification for frame type, glass make-up, or installation. Those choices must follow the project’s requirements and applicable local rules; do not assume that guidance for another glass system applies.
Structural glass and structural sealant glazing: design and bonding both matter
Structural glass calls for project-specific structural design and quality assurance. The Hong Kong Buildings Department’s Code of Practice for Structural Use of Glass 2018 addresses design, construction, testing, and quality assurance in Hong Kong. It is jurisdiction-specific guidance, not a universal building code.
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For structural sealant glazing, assembly and bonding are a separate concern from the structural design itself. ISO 28278-2:2010 sets assembly rules for glass products used in structural sealant glazing; ISO states that the standard was reviewed and confirmed in 2024. Neither standard replaces the applicable local code or the engineering needed for a particular project.
Plan for rebuilding before removal begins
Adaptability, deconstruction, and reuse are related but distinct aims. A building designed to accommodate change may avoid unnecessary removal; where removal is needed, a planned deconstruction process can help keep materials in consideration for recovery. The American Institute of Architects’ Design for Adaptability, Deconstruction, & Reuse guide, dated December 4, 2023, provides strategies, pitfalls, and case studies.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Consider adaptation first. Identify whether the building or a glass component can meet a changed need without removal.
- Document what is present. Before work starts, record the glass components and their locations so the team can plan removal and track what is recovered.
- Plan selective deconstruction where appropriate. Decide how components will be removed and handled as part of the project plan rather than treating recovery as an afterthought.
- Record recovered materials and destinations. Keep information on material sources and where recovered components go.
- Assess each item for its intended next use. Recovery does not prove that a component is fit for reuse in a different application; that suitability must be evaluated separately.
CSA Z783-12 (R2021), Deconstruction of buildings and their related parts, sets process and procedure requirements for deconstruction and recording material sources and destinations. Its scope does not include worker health and safety requirements or assessment of whether recovered components are suitable for another application. Those responsibilities need separate attention in project planning.
What the construction-and-demolition figure does—and does not—say
The AIA’s 2023 guide reports that the U.S. building industry generated 169 million tons of construction and demolition debris in 2015. This is a dated figure for broad debris, not a measure of glass waste. It helps explain why designing for adaptability and planning material recovery matter, but it should not be used to estimate how much glass a particular project can reclaim.
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Check project requirements before specifying or rebuilding
- Confirm the location’s applicable building code, approvals, and requirements with the authority having jurisdiction.
- Have qualified design professionals determine whether the selected glass system and complete assembly meet the project’s structural and safety needs.
- For structural sealant glazing, address both structural design and assembly/bonding quality; one does not establish the other.
- For recovered glass, determine suitability for the proposed next use rather than assuming that intact or documented components are automatically reusable.
The ASTM building standards catalog includes glass-related testing and design standards; catalog contents can change. Identify the standards applicable to the project and jurisdiction rather than relying on a general catalog listing as a design approval.
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