6 glass industry trends to watch out for in 2024
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What trends can we expect to see in the glass industry in 2024? Join us as we survey the landscape, from switchable smart glass to sustainable solutions.
The glass industry is constantly evolving. Although the methods used for creating float glass have been pretty much stable since the 1950s, a lot else has changed.
Whether it's improved thermal efficiency or decorative options like
LED glass and
switchable smart glass, the industry is bigger and more varied than ever.
So what does this year hold for glass manufacturing and processing? Specific styles will probably make a comeback – but broader themes emerge. There's a move, mirrored in other industries, towards sustainability and an embracing of smart technologies.
So, without further ado, here are six glass industry trends to watch out for in 2024.
1. Greater sustainability
Yep, sustainability isn't going anywhere. It's not just a lifestyle choice anymore. Governments are taking steps to give it a much-needed leg-up – for instance, by updating regulations to ensure new-builds are greener. This will doubtless see an increase in the production of low-E glass.
The manufacturing process itself is also likely to see a continued move towards sustainable methods. Manufacturers are investing in sustainable technologies that will reduce their carbon footprints with no loss of productivity.
2. Industrial aesthetics
Recently, industrial styles have been in vogue. Take the popularity of steel-framed windows. This is only going to increase in 2024, with a special emphasis on steel-framed sliding doors.
This trend ties in with a broader movement towards the minimalistic and the sleek. Thin frames and neutral tones are in. As well as forming part of a quasi-industrial aesthetic, this kind of glazing also brings the outdoors in – something that today's biophiliacs will relish.
3. Glass bricks
Peeking into the world of retail, it seems that one thing is back with a vengeance in 2024: the fads and fashions of the 1980s. And this goes for how people want their homes to look as well as their outfits.
Back in the 80s, showers, shelving units and partitions made from glass bricks were all the rage – and some commentators are predicting a return of the glass brick in interior design this year. In the words of Artem Kropovinsky, founder of Arsight:
"Glass bricks, once out of fashion, are making a return. Modern designers love them, and it's easy to see why. They let light in while keeping things a bit private. And while trends come and go, it's essential to use them wisely."
So keep an eye out for glass bricks, whether for structural glazing or kitchen splashbacks.
4. Switchable smart glass for increased privacy
Privacy glass has long been a staple of the industry in the form of frosted glass. But what if you want transparent glass that can turn opaque on demand?
Switchable smart glass has been around for a while in both domestic and commercial settings – but it's likely to see a significant upswing in 2024.
At ToughGlaze, we stock
TG SWITCH, our own switchable smart glass that can go from transparent to opaque faster than the human eye can register. And with its low operational and maintenance costs, it fits in nicely with your green policy, too.
It all works thanks to an NPRLC interlayer, the high-performing filling in a sturdy glass sandwich. This interlayer contains a huge number of tiny liquid crystal molecules. You press a button on your smartphone or issue a voice command to your smart speaker, and an electric current pushes the molecules into neat rows that let the light through.
It's so fast that it looks instantaneous to the human eye. In fact, it takes around 0.01 seconds.
Switchable smart glass is ideal for privacy-on-demand in offices and hospitals and as security glass in banks, prisons and boutique retail stores.
5. Self-cleaning glass
The last innovation in window cleaning was probably the humble squeegee. But this century has seen the arrival of self-cleaning glass – a godsend to anyone with a busy schedule, dodgy knees or anything else that stops them from doing it themselves.
The glass has a special coating that breaks down dirt as it lands on the window. The result? A non-stick window that literally cleans itself.
As well as saving you time and effort, self-cleaning glass is also great for conservatory roofs and other hard-to-reach glass surfaces.
6. QR codes
Could QR codes transform the way glass factories inventorise their stock? That's the news coming out of Herzogenrath, Germany.
Most glass factories receive tons of materials each day that have to be sorted before they can be processed. And most glass factories have employees who log each delivery on the warehouse management system.
At Herzogenrath, however, they're using QR codes on delivery notes to simplify and standardise the procedure. Not only does this free up time for overstretched staff, but it also reduces the possibility of human error when making invoices.
These QR codes are currently being trialled at Herzogenrath and should be rolled out in other German plants in 2024.
QR codes to inventorise glass is one thing. How about a QR code
on glass?
That's right – a German startup called Cerabyte has managed to etch QR codes onto a new storage device that's built around a glass sheet. The company claims that this unit will be able to store data for 5,000 years – and withstand temperatures of up to around 300°C.
So if you're worried about losing your holiday snaps, keep Cerabyte in mind…
Conclusion
At ToughGlaze, we like to stay abreast of new trends in glass making. You can see it in our state-of-the-art facilities as well as our
product range. For that reason alone, we can't wait to see what 2024 holds for the industry.
ToughGlaze is one of the UK's leading suppliers of
commercial glass products. Do you need high-quality, Kitemark-approved glass for a project? Don't hesitate to
get in touch for a quick, competitive quote.
