Glass secures development for the crafts and skilled trades

The crafts and skilled trades are benefiting from the ever-growing diversity of the glass products range for building shells and interior design. This year´s glasstec will present the latest developments and trends.

For years, the innovative strength of the glass sector and the urgency for optimisation on the part of the glass machinery manufacturers have been driving forward a trend; in just two and a half decades glass has very quickly made the transformation from simple window glass to an almost universally applicable material.

The basis for this material revolution is the constant development of the processing and finishing technologies along with the continual work on new products by glass manufacturers.

Today, glass is a trend material, with a diversity of variations in building shells, interior architecture and interiors, which opens up an incomparably high degree of design freedom.

Growing product diversity

In modern all-glass façades, high-performance functional glazing ensures maximum energy efficiency, both in windows and doors. In this connection, glazing can be produced and finished individually according to the building contractors’ or owners’ requirements.

It offers efficient heat insulation, variable sun protection and soundproofing, and when it comes to design there are hardly any limits either: Silk screen, enamelling, digital printing and a large number of possible lamination variations make it all possible.

For a long time glass has also been subjected to static stress. Glass engineering has developed into a separate, individual discipline and, with impressive all-glass structures, has set architectural highlights worldwide.

There are just as many variations in the use of glass in interior design. Compared to alternative construction materials, glass walls, ceilings, floors and staircases are creating a new, modern and open room ambience.

Skill provides the competitive edge

Not only are the glass industry and the small and medium-sized glass finishing companies benefitting from the continuing trend towards glass, but also the crafts and skilled trades. The glaziers’ trade, in particular, can capitalise on the increased demand for glass products.

There is also increasing demand for glass products also among carpenters, shop fitters, metalworkers and kitchen studios.

In order to ensure successful business development, the skilled trades and craftsmen must know which products and finishing technologies on the market they can use to comprehensively fulfil the requirements of their customers. Only those who know what is currently feasible and will be feasible tomorrow will have a clear competitive edge.

glasstec 2014 presents the latest developments and trends. A unique opportunity to obtain a comprehensive overview of the current status of trends and developments in glass products, processing and finishing processes will be presented by glasstec in Düsseldorf.

glasstec

This year, the world’s leading trade fair for the glass sector is being held from 21 to 24 October. As well as new products and production technologies, it will also be showing the entire spectrum of glass applications in interiors and building shells.

In addition, the integrated ‘glass technology live’ special show with supporting specialist symposium offers a unique look ahead to the future of glass along with diverse information on innovative products, processing technologies and applications.

There will be a diverse range of services and events on offer, including the ‘Crafts Centre’, and a new feature called the ‘Crafts LIVE’ (‘Handwerk LIVE’) activity platform. Here, the glass-processing crafts and trades are invited to actively participate themselves with tools and materials at ten of the practical-application, join-in stations.

Also, organised by the Federal Association of German Glazing Guilds (BIV), is the ‘Autoglass Arena’ in Hall 10. It complements the support program for craftsmen. The Glass Finishers’ Award will once again be presented at glasstec 2014, as will the Auto Glaziers’ competition.

Photo caption: At glasstec 2014 all the products, services and ranges for the glass-processing trade will be concentrated in the ‘Crafts Center’. The focal point this year will once again be the presentation area of around 1,000 square meters staged by the Federal Association of German Glazing Guilds (Bundesinnungsverband des Glaserhandwerks – BIV).

Photo attribution: Messe Düsseldorf