Author: AIS

If there’s one thing that has been a constant since time immemorial, it is the necessity and practical use of windows. An indispensable part of any architectural project, these structures allow ample natural light to invade the interiors of a space, enable proper air circulation within the four walls, and give a sense of seamless connection with the outdoors.

However, in today’s day and age, the purpose of windows extends way beyond functionality and pragmatism, way up to aesthetics! However, some are of the view that aesthetics should not be a factor of consideration in window glass choice. How true is that?

Window Aestheticism: Does it Really Matter?

The principle of aesthetics is driving modern-day architecture as beauty and design walk hand-in-hand inspiring each other as they go. As important as it is to be practical in our approach, equally important, it is to push the emotional buttons. Like the architect, Philip Johnson once stated, “Architecture is not about words. It’s about tears.” While you do not need to shed literal tears, if your home and its key elements – think fenestrations – do not stir your heart with a happy inner groaning, you’re doing it wrong!

It’s just like food – the more presentable and good it is to look at, the more it increases our hunger. Now, in its proper sense, modern architecture is only said to be successful when form and function work in tandem to enhance the life of the occupants in particular and the environment at large.

So, your home’s window glass must perform all of its original functions ‘in style.’

5 Stylish Window Styles to Give Your Home the Makeover it Needs

Here are five ways window glass can give your home the boost it needs – in terms of aesthetics, in terms of functionality.

#1 Inspiration Straight from the Churches of the Victorian Age

Yes, you guessed it right! We’re talking about those centuries-old fenestration techniques used in the manufacture of clerestory windows. Also popularly known as church windows, not many are aware that the history of clerestory window glass is much more antique – dating all the way back to the temples of ancient Egypt where the sufficient lighting of the hall of columns was achieved through piercing slits in vertical stone slabs over the roofs of the adjoining aisles.

So, by virtue of their invention, these windows are champions in providing that ‘extra’ natural light without disrupting the continuity in design of the space they’re installed in. Clerestory window glass is usually a row of windows installed way above the eye-level, either sitting right on top of a set of standard windows or otherwise. Modern architecture has borrowed these ancient marvels to create spaces that can downright seem heavenly.

However, there are more perks that go into making the final look ‘heavenly.’ Besides allowing more ambient light to flood the interiors, these windows leave the entire wall below free to let your design imaginations run as wild as a vulture’s cry. You are free to display your book collection, hang your most cherished works of art, showcase rare and valuable collectables, or simply have the wall covered in an eye-pleasing wallpaper.

Now, when it comes to the choice of space, it goes without saying that such windows are not the right fit for your bedroom, a space that is supposed to feel more cave-like. Clerestory window glass is a top-notch choice for kitchens, living rooms or lounging areas, and even bathrooms where you need to reconcile the need for privacy and natural light.

#2 Gazing into the Heavens: An Otherworldly Experience

If the sight of the ultra-clear blue sky covered in cotton candy-like puffy clouds adorned by birds in flight still gives you the jitters, welcome to the group of sky-gazers! We all love this sight as much as we do the other end of the spectrum – navy blue sky covered in shiny little but not-so-little stars. Sadly, we all have that one spot in our house that has the best sky view – be it the daytime or the night-time – but we simply can’t enjoy it because of all that concrete coming in the way.

But, what if the roof could open up for you to gaze deep into the eyes of the glorious creation that lies open for your taking already? Well, with skylight window glass, it can and it will! These windows are generally installed on the ceiling of a space, hence the name skylight windows, to act as a sort of spotlight for the room.

Well, while skylight window glass does serve the practical purpose of brightening otherwise dull spaces such as attics and in some homes, bathrooms, they are also aesthetic in nature. After all, can store-bought or even hand-crafted paintings and murals beat the creation of divine hands framed within your skylight window glass? Yes, nobody installs wall décor on the ceiling, but you get the drift. These windows add an otherworldly charm to an otherwise dim, uninspiring, and bland room.

#3 Creating Cosy, Sunny Nooks with a Gorgeous View

Sometimes, you need your windows to do double-duty to satisfy your aesthetic sensibilities. By that, we mean extra illumination, gorgeous views, and a bonus nook for self-rejuvenation. Yes, we’re talking about the classic bay windows! Available in a variety of styles such as box, oriel, circle, tudor, and more, bay windows include a set of three or more windows, either fixed or operable, for more natural light, better ventilation, seamless connection with the outdoors, and of course, a pleasant corner to spend some time in.

These windows are perfect for rooms that open up to a gorgeous view, but in any case, that would not be the bedroom again! We’ll come to that later. These windows even make for the perfect entry windows, welcoming guests in style and allowing you to keep an eye on who’s knocking at the front door. Moreover, your living room or parlour feels like it has suddenly expanded to eat up more space, when in reality, it hasn’t – that’s the space-maximising feature of bay windows at work!

Oh, and the additional space offered by these windows can have a variety of use cases – turn it into a serene reading nook or install sun-loving planters and herbs, or you can even have a cosy cushioned sofa installed for an area to lounge, eat breakfast, or enjoy a cup of tea while gazing at the beautiful view outside.

#4 Incorporating One of the Smartest Window Designs

Surprising as it may seem, even one of the smartest window glass designs to exist today may have very well adorned an old-timey storefront or even your grandma’s cottage –we’re talking about those usually modest in size, known for their roof-like cover, awning windows!

Like they say, “Never judge a book by its cover,” you can never judge a window by its size! Despite being compact in size, awning windows are exceptionally practical fenestration pieces that keep your space well-protected against various weather elements like rain, snow, dust, and hail while also making plenty of room for natural light to flood the interiors with its goodness.

Used mainly for proper ventilation, awning window glass is typically installed way high up near the ceiling and is an ideal choice for dimly-lit or stuffy rooms. On an average, these windows are installed in kitchens and bathrooms, but they can also be used in your bedroom high above the headboard for much-needed ventilation.

Yes, depending upon your choice of frame and glass, you can give them a totally unique aesthetic appeal; however, this window glass is a must for your luxury home as it is one of the most practical kinds available.

#5 Taking the Classic Route

When old is gold, how can classic casement or French windows ever go out of fashion? Having one or two operable panels, these windows hang by a hinge and generally push open outwards. Their operating mechanism is very similar to a door, and yes, these two window options are the classic route you can take for your master bedroom window glass.

Well, their design? Though considered to be aesthetically neutral, this is precisely the reason why these windows are so suitable for your private chamber and other places like above the kitchen sink and fireplace mantle.

Suppose your bedroom opens to a lush green patio brimming with life. In that case, we can guarantee you an otherworldly experience as you push open to the beauty that sits patiently waiting for your attention. Just like the nature outside, casement and French window glass have a subtle beauty to them that is not loud and demanding, but calm and naturally appealing to the senses, hence, the term ‘aesthetically neutral.’ One thing is for sure; these windows will gracefully complement the theme and style of your home’s interior design – whether vintage or modern, whether ornate or minimalistic, whether straightforward or eclectic.

Looking for premium-quality specialised window glass solutions for your home? Get in touch with AIS Glass today! As India’s leading integrated glass manufacturer, we offer a variety of glass solutions for all your window glass needs – privacy, security, acoustic and thermal comfort. So, adorn your home with modern-day glass solutions and turn the tables on its aesthetic and functional performance! Get in touch.

Ever walked into an office and been blown away by the smart use of colours? Bland and boring office spaces are a thing of the past. Today is the day and age of ensuring that the ambience of the office is productivity-friendly, and let’s be honest – nothing enhances productivity and lifts up our spirits more than colour. While we understand that you want to add colour without losing that professional look and feel of your office space, back painted glass is a product best-suited for your design needs.

Let’s take a look at how this colourful member of the glass family can elevate the look of your office space.

That Home-like Kitchen!

“Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.”- Wassily Kandinsky

To create a comfortable and open space for your employees, you can make the kitchen cabinets look a bit more colourful using back painted glass.  The vibrant colours and shiny surface will give a modern and, needless to say, professional look. Also, as Mr. Wassily, the Great Russian painter and art theorist, rightly said colours do affect how you feel. So, you can be assured that the staff is going to feel cheerful when they sit down at the cafeteria after a long day of work to see either vibrantly-coloured table-tops or back painted glass wall panels.

Plus, since back painted glass is easy-to-clean, you need not worry about a few spillages!

Vivacious Restrooms 

“Mere colour can speak to the soul in thousand different ways.” – Oscar Wilde.

Don’t you agree with the words of this Irish poet and playwright? Colours have this fantastic capacity to evoke different emotions in people. It’s as if they speak to people. When you combine colours with décor, the effect is phenomenal. Also, the people working at a place use restrooms quite a few times during the day, and if you clad the washbasin surfaces and the walls of the area with back painted glass while colour-coordinating them with the hues of the doors and windows present in the space, you can create a one-of-a-kind appeal. After all, why compromise on the décor of such an important space! Even your clients and auditors will appreciate your efforts in this area. 

Flamboyance Up and Down!

Elevators are a great space to put in more creativity and thought. Also, there are three static faces in an elevator. So, you can get a bit more creative with the interiors and clad either of the two static faces with a bright-coloured back painted glass fixated from floor to the ceiling and do the same with a mirror on the other face. Keep the third face of the elevator very basic. It will look aesthetically appealing because of that dash of colour. Moreover, you can click a professional “excited to get to work!” selfie while you’re in there.

Less is More

When it comes to designing an office space, it is always better to keep the lines crisp, clean, and non-distracting. Now, even if you want your office to look very simple and minimalistic, you can add that little hint of colour using back painted glass to give it an edgy and modern appeal. How? Well, cover all pillars in the mesmerising sheen of back painted glass – whether you wish to go for neutral tones or stick to more eye-catchy shades like bright yellows and reds is entirely up to you to decide. Yes, less is indeed more, but only when done the right way – back painted glass is your partner in achieving that minimalistic/modernistic look!

When it Boils down to Choosing Plan B

Plan A was all of the above-mentioned points. But, in case none of that appeals to your design sensibilities, there’s still hope because there’s still a plan B that you can try! Simply installing back painted glass-covered furniture pieces will also act as that perfect escapade from bland and uninspiring office interiors.

Just like the Los Angeles-based interior designer, Rose Tarlow, says, “Furniture must have a personality as well as be beautiful.” Adding a pop of colour with back painted glass to your tabletop or your chair or the reception desk is going to reflect your personality and exude professional vibes. The glassy feel will give the space an edge and create a positive and open atmosphere.

Well, aren’t you feeling a little inspired to get creative and colourful with your workspace? We’re not surprised! After all, back painted glass has an unmatched charm to it. Contact AIS Glass for your office décor needs. We are India’s largest integrated glass manufacturer and our back painted glass – AIS Décor – is available in 34 striking shades to help you create the look you desire. Our AIS Décor is easy-to-maintain, durable, eco-friendly, and has a premium-quality finish to stir up your hidden creative. So, why wait? Get in touch with our experts today!

“Kitchens should be designed around what’s really important: fun, food, and life,” said the famous French chef and restaurateur – David Boulud. The chef had it right; serious is one word that should be avoided entirely when it comes to kitchen designing. The sight of scrumptious delicacies and the aroma coming from the kitchen captivates the heart of residents and guests alike. A great way to enhance this beautiful aura is to give your kitchen’s interiors an overhaul – a stunning contemporary look maybe or some vintage vibes, whatever you please so that it truly becomes a place that brings people together.

Glass has been becoming increasingly popular among interior designers and architects – a material that is incorporated more and more in ambitious projects. Among other members of the glass family, it is back-painted glass that takes the trophy in terms of aesthetics with its colourful appearance and functional brilliance.

Let’s see how this glass can transform your kitchen from drab to fab, that too in a jiffy.

Happy Kitchen, Happy Home: Make it So Using Back-Painted Glass

Happiness is a small house with a big kitchen. Now, even if the heart of your home is not big in size, does that mean you can’t go big with your design? Of course not! In fact, with the simple addition of back-painted glass to your kitchen interiors, you can create the culinary zone of your dreams! And here’s how you can do it.

Don’t Let the Counter-tops Go Bland

While pure white or marbled kitchen counter-tops look classic, they are too old-school. Plus, people often complain of the time-consuming task of getting rid of all that mess from those counter-tops, especially the kitchen island. Thankfully, with back-painted glass, that is no longer the problem! Not only can you add some much-needed sheen and colour to your counter-tops but you can also allow your little ones to assist you in your baking sessions without worrying about the mess – back-painted glass is extraordinarily low-maintenance and gets spick-and-span with a simple wipe.

Will You Leave out the Backsplash?

Now, if there’s one area in your kitchen that holds tremendous possibilities in terms of design, it’s the kitchen backsplash. After all, we can all agree that even dull chores like washing the dishes becomes a delight when you’re facing a productivity-inspiring coloured wall and a wide casement window that opens up to a garden in full bloom. Suppose you’re afraid of sticking to a monochrome tone. In that case, you have plenty of scope to play around and experiment – choose glass sheets of different colours and sizes to create a funky geometric pattern or stick to two complementary tones for the entire backsplash – the choice is yours!

Plus, as back-painted glass is low-maintenance and moisture-resistant, you need not fear spillages or the fact that your kitchen can suffer a little too much from humidity.

Organise Your Cutlery in Style

Whether you’re going for a sleek, traditional, elegant, or modern look for your kitchen space, you can never go wrong with back-painted glass on the kitchen cabinets! You get to organise your cutlery and other pantry items in style with the availability of such diverse colour options. For the newfangled modular kitchens, back-painted glass cabinets are incredible. You can choose from a plethora of colour and design options – choose a colour that complements well with the backsplash or counter-tops or opt for contrasting tones. Also, its non-porous characteristic means more hygiene and less time spent on wiping the clutter.

Need a Classic Place to Write down Your Grandma’s Recipes?

Always fiddling with your to-do list? With so much to do every day, a back-painted glass magnetic board is just the thing you need. Simply hang a board in front of your cooking space and write &read for that sense of complete control over your daily tasks. Plus, coming to our main point – a back-painted glass magnetic board is that perfect area to write down your family’s traditional recipes, meal prep ideas for the entire week, and menu for upcoming family luncheons, among others. And what’s more; you can do all of this without breaking the continuity of design and style of your space.

Are you in a hunt for world-class back painted glass solutions? Well, end your search here because AIS Glass, India’s leading integrated glass manufacturer, provides top-of-the-line back painted glass for all your aesthetic and functional needs.  Known as AIS Décor, our back-painted glass is manufactured using premium-quality lacquer, is eco-friendly, durable and resistant to humidity and UV rays, and is ridiculously low-maintenance. Available in 34 striking shades, there’s a shade for everyone – vintage, royalty, classic, minimalistic, sophisticated, or whatever else your personal sensibilities may be.

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today for premium back-painted glass solutions!

From the standpoint of safety, both windows and doors are the weakest entry points in any architectural unit. As a result, they are more susceptible to security attacks and intrusions. Not to mention, numerous glass manufacturers in the market promise unmatched quality and premier service life but hardly deliver any.

Especially nowadays, when intrusions and thefts have become more commonplace, fears over security have become paramount. Therefore, the type of glass we use to make our exterior doors and windows has become crucial in keeping our indoors safe from security breaches.

And speaking of enhanced security in residential and commercial space, here are the glasses which work the best.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass comprises two sheets of standard annealed glass fused together with a special interlayer of Poly Vinyl Butyral (PVB) in between. The thick glass formed, as a result, can easily resist impacts by absorbing impact shocks and resisting extreme degrees of penetration.

Consequently, any forced intrusions will be quite challenging to execute; this reduces theft attempts tremendously. In addition to improved security, laminated glass also offers additional advantages, as discussed below.

Acoustic Comfort – Given the levels of noise pollution in urban centers, the need for noise cancellation has become paramount. Fortunately, laminated glass can dampen outside noise for better noise reduction. Moreover, you can even request your glass manufacturers to include sound reduction interlayers in your fenestrations for additional soundproofing.

Solar Control – Combined with a heat-absorbing tint or low-E coating, laminated glass can reduce heat gain and bring down energy costs tremendously. Additionally, it also acts as a shield against solar glare. Based on the thickness of the glass, laminated glass can even resist harmful UV rays effectively.

Enhanced Visibility – Laminated glass surface usually has low visual distortions, so it appears virtually invisible. This allows the glass to reflect sharp images for greater clarity. Because of the enhanced visibility, laminated glass works exceptionally well for bay or picture windows, which many homebuyers shy away from over safety concerns.

Tempered Glass

Also known as toughened or safety glass, tempered glass is highly suitable for external windows and doors. Because of a quick-cooling manufacturing process, the glass is highly durable and resilient to impact, making it less likely to shatter upon breakage.

As a result, the glass is the perfect choice for regions that experience heavy wind loads or thermal stress. Moreover, other than excellent impact resilience, tempered glass also offers benefits.

Heat Resistance – In comparison to ordinary glass, tempered glass offers up to five times better heat resistance. It can withstand high temperatures quickly, showing excellent heat control properties. As a result, you can enjoy greater heat insulation, as well as reduced energy costs.

Protection from UV Rays – Windows and doors manufactured with tempered glass can protect against harmful UV rays since it can absorb around 65% of the UV rays which fall on its surface. Additionally, you can also use window tints to improve the solar control properties of tempered glass furthermore.

Reduced Risk of Injury – Generally, tempered glass shows high resilience against impact, which is why many reinforced windows in both commercial and residential spaces use it. However, in case the glass ever breaks, the risk of injury is minimum as it breaks away in small, tiny pieces.

Heat Strengthened Glass

Heat-strengthened glass is a type of processed glass which offers better thermal resistance and is twice as tough as standard glass. Consequently, it befits security needs perfectly. Heat-strengthened glass also provides numerous advantages.

Unique Breakage System – Unlike other glasses, heat-strengthened glass cracks radially, from the breakage point to the edges of the glass into large and sharp fragments. This creates a support system for the cracked pieces. As a result, the pieces remain intact and do not fall off, reducing the risk of injury.

Ability to Handle Thermal Shocks – Heat-strengthened glass can resist extreme thermal shocks and stress, which will typically break the standard glass. The glass can easily withstand thermal differentials of up to 130-degree Celsius.

Fire Resistant Glass

A type of laminated glass with a layer of intumescence, fire-resistant glass can easily withstand an extreme level of heat and prevent heat transfer. Primarily built to contain the spread of fire, the glass becomes a shield in unfortunate cases of fire breakouts. Fire-resistant glass also shows high resilience to impact and thermal stress.

To Sum Up

While these four glasses can minimise safety threats efficiently, investing in window locks, sensors, or bars is an excellent way to score additional security. Designed especially for safety concerns, these can lay down your worries over the home and office security to proper rest.

Nonetheless, to secure superior-quality glazing solutions for your windows and doors, opt for established glass manufacturers such as AIS Glass. We offer end-to-end solutions from product selection to installation, even after-sales support. Our specialised solutions, such as AIS Securityglas and AIS Valuglas are for both safety and aesthetic comfort. For further information, get in touch with us today!