Glass floor: a bold design solution
Previously, glass floors were an attribute of expensive restaurants, hotels and nightclubs, where mere mortals were ordered to enter. But now glass floor became more accessible - it is installed not only in public places, but also in private houses or even apartments.It is clear that the glass floor - pleasure is not cheap. But usually such floors are set by people who want to impress their guests with delicate taste and bold design solutions. And for this is not a sin to pay.
Of course, it is not necessary to make the whole floorcompletely made of glass - it's still quite an extreme (and expensive) option. There are less "scale" varieties of glass floor. Usually the glass floor is made in one of the three options:
The Glass Field: the actual glass floor. The whole floor is made glass in the room. Under it you can install artificial lighting and even equip an artificial pond with fish (although in this case, do not do without supply and exhaust ventilation).
"Tape": glass floor on the perimeter of the room. It helps visually expand the boundaries of the room, emphasize the details of the interior. If you install light music under it, there will surely be legends about your home parties.
"Window": the most modest option. The glass showcase is made in the floor, and the groove beneath it is filled with decorative sand, shells, pebbles, etc. It turns out the original installation.
Of course, you will not be able to equip a glass floor with your own hands - you need here well-coordinated work of the designer and specialists, able to design, produce and install a quality glass floor to order, taking into account the features of the technology of production of glassware products.
Installation of such a floor begins with foundation. It must be strong, reliable and as level as possible. Ideal is the foundation of reinforced concrete, but steel, wood or a combination of them will do.
On the foundation of bolt power structure - a kind of "skeleton" for laying glassplates. For each type of floor uses its own kind of power structure. It determines the longevity of your glass floor. Given that its thickness can be more than 25 mm, and one glass plate can weigh up to 150 kg, the fasteners should be very reliable.
Usually the construction is made of stainless steel or structural steel. The anchor bolts used in the construction are made of high quality steel and are coated with a special anti-corrosion coating, with reinforcement for pulling out.
The construction is laid actual glass. Solid monolithic blocks for the glass floorare made of laminated glass or film triplex. Both laminated glass and triplex are made from several sheets of glass (ordinary or hardened, hardened much stronger).
When manufacturing laminated glass A thin layer of polymer is poured between the sheets. The glass is placed in a special installation, where the ultraviolet helps the polymer grab the sheets at the molecular level. In case of triplex sheets are bonded with a polymer film. It fits between the sheets in such a way that it turns out, as it were, "puff cake". In an autoclave, the film glues glass sheets under the influence of pressure and high temperature, etching out air bubbles trapped between the sheets.
But before installing glass slabs it is worth taking care of more highlighting - without it, the glass floor loses its originality. Usually used for backlighting fluorescent lighting or neon tubes. The second option is preferable: Neon lamps give a more even light, they are noiseless and long serve. But with any type of luminaire it is worth remembering that if the lighting gives off a lot of heat, you can not do without supply and exhaust fans.
The glass floor can attract its ownoriginality, but not all who admire him, will agree to establish it. There is a disadvantage for such a floor - disposable, of course, but at an additional cost. Even with accurate handling on the floor, scratches may appear over time. From them the floor will protect cover glass, which can be replaced if necessary. In addition, the glass floor is slippery enough. In this case, the smoothness of the floor will help reduce linear ornaments and sandblast strips.
The glass floor is a bold enough design solution, which not everyone will like and / or afford. But if you decide to install such a floor (or at least a "window"), you can be sure: none of your guests will not remain indifferent. Would you like to install a glass floor in your house?
