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Contemporary architecture in the Middle East is truly inventive and has become a trademark for the region, which is dotted with beautiful high-tech buildings that boast creative designs and complex shapes, most of them using glass as a structural material on their facades.

In Dubai in particular, flagship projects are still going strong and building construction in general is a thriving business. However, the 2019 growth rate is expected to be slightly lower than last year, which is creating a more cost-sensitive environment and forcing the building industry to consider alternatives that are more cost efficient.

PVB film, a solution to HVAC cost and glass reflection reduction

If we consider building facades, builders and glass consultants who have been relying on ionoplast interlayer in their laminated glass are now increasingly interested in structural PVB interlayers as an economically attractive alternative for internal structural glazing applications such as in shopping malls, balustrades, etc.

 Marc Slock, EVERLAM Business Development and Technical Service Manager, commented:

“A number of architects we met at World of Facades in Dubai shared how keen they are to augment their building designs with large glass surfaces in order to achieve a high level of transparency, yet with limited reflection. But because of the resulting challenges linked to managing the heat load inside the building and the glare, they show increasing interest in a solar heat absorbing interlayer. Indeed, this solution can contribute to a significant reduction of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) cost as well as help avoid unpleasant reflections that typically occur with metal coated glass.”

Value engineering must not compromise on product quality

A message that came across quite strongly during the event is a pledge for product quality. Many glass consultants expressed serious concerns that in the name of “value engineering”, cost saving targets are leading to the use of lower quality products.

They therefore insist on the importance to specify reputable players and products throughout the building value chain, including laminated glass.

EVERLAM is part of this way of thinking and will continue to build its reputation by manufacturing PVB films for laminated safety glass that are of value to the building industry and help its direct customers, i.e. glass laminators, deliver high quality glass products that respond to the constraints and standards set by architects and consultants.