Profilated Glass (U-channel), various widths (6mm, 7mm)
Self-supporting U-shaped cast glass system providing structural glazing with excellent daylighting, spans up to 7m vertical, thermal performance U-value 0.49-2.5 W/m²K depending on configuration
Self-supporting U-shaped cast glass system providing structural glazing with excellent daylighting, spans up to 7m vertical, thermal performance U-value 0.49-2.5 W/m²K depending on configuration
Profilated glass (U-channel) is a continuously cast glass product with a distinctive U-shaped cross-section, originally developed in Austria and refined in Germany over 35+ years. The three-dimensional profile creates a self-supporting structural glass system capable of spanning up to 7 metres vertically without intermediate supports. Available in 6mm and 7mm thicknesses with various widths (232-498mm) and surface textures, it provides diffused natural daylighting while maintaining privacy. The system can be installed single or double-glazed, achieving U-values from 2.5 W/m²K (single) to 0.49 W/m²K (double with insulation).
- Self-supporting structure reduces framing requirements
- Excellent daylight diffusion without glare
- Long spans possible (up to 7m vertical)
- Good thermal performance in double-glazed configuration
- No vertical mullions required for continuous facades
- Can achieve curved installations
- Provides privacy while transmitting light
- Non-combustible material suitable for fire-rated assemblies
- 100% recyclable at end of life
- Low maintenance requirements
- 01 Self-supporting structure reduces framing requirements
- 02 Excellent daylight diffusion without glare
- 03 Long spans possible (up to 7m vertical)
- 04 Good thermal performance in double-glazed configuration
- 05 No vertical mullions required for continuous facades
- 01 Limited local availability in Australia - mostly imported
- 02 Long lead times (8-16 weeks typical)
- 03 Higher cost than conventional glazing systems
- 04 Requires specialised installation expertise
- 05 Limited to non-structural wind loads
- Density
- 2500 kg/m³
- Specific gravity
- 2.5
- Porosity
- 0 %
- Water absorption
- 0 %
- Hardness
- 6.5
- UV resistance
- Excellent - blocks 99% UV when treated
- Chemical resistance
- Excellent - resistant to most chemicals except HF
- pH tolerance
- 3-11
- Surface roughness
- 0.5 µm
- Tensile strength
- 40 MPa
- Compressive strength
- 1000 MPa
- Flexural strength
- 45 MPa
- Shear strength
- 20 MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.22
- Impact resistance
- Grade B AS 2208 when tempered
- Creep resistance
- Excellent - no creep at service temperatures
- Embodied carbon
- 10.3
- Carbon footprint
- 85
- Embodied energy
- 155 MJ/kg
- Water footprint
- 280 L/kg
- Recycled content
- 20 %
- Renewable content
- 0 %
- Circular score
- 85
- Combustibility class
- Non-combustible
- Fire resistance level
- Non-combustible per AS 1530.1
- Flame spread index
- 0
- Smoke dev. index
- 0
- Heat release rate
- 0
- Material cost (range)
- $180-350/m² // AUD 2024
- Material cost (per unit)
- $250/m² // average
- Lead time
- 8-16 weeks
- Lifecycle cost
- $15-20/m²/year over 30 years
- Annual maintenance
- $5-10/m²
- Market availability
- Limited - special order
- Expected lifespan
- 50+ years
- Maintenance interval
- Annual inspection, 5-year reseal
- Warranty period
- 10 years typical