One of the major portions of a construction is its ceiling. Part of the overall aesthetic, the ceiling is also responsible for a large part of the structural durability of the house or building. Often used in the construction of , concrete ceilings offer more strength than the thinner, less substantial glass. In fact, strength is only one of several differences between glass and concrete ceilings.
Cost
Although concrete is physically strong, it is also a much cheaper building material than glass. This is because concrete is made by simply mixing together inexpensive raw materials such as Portland cement, ash and slag in certain proportions. Conversely, glass is made by the superheating of different minerals and chemicals. The glass is then polished and cut before sale. The cost of a more elaborate and expensive manufacturing process for ceiling glass is passed on to the customer.
Durability
The durability of concrete is often measured in its compressive strength. The strength of concrete used in apartment buildings ranges from anywhere between 6,000 psi to 12,000 psi. Glass, such as tempered and toughened glass, supports compression of over 4,000 psi but must also balance that pressure with tensile strength, meaning the strength of the entire glass panel against the area of pressure. This reduces the already less substantial durability of glass.
Support
Glass ceilings require a support system that holds the glass panels in place and supports their structure against the pressure of the walls in the home. This structure is usually a metal framework that takes the majority of the structural burden and allows the glass to rest unburdened by the need to bear the entire load of a room. Concrete ceilings often use internal support in the form of rebar. This material supports the form of the concrete until it is properly cured. Once concrete is cured, the majority of the load rests on the strength of the concrete and not the internal metal support.
Damage and Repair
Concrete and glass both suffer from cracks but they suffer very differently and with different repercussions for the homeowner. Cracks in a glass ceiling are often a symptom of structural damage somewhere in the ceiling's framework. Also, if cracked glass is not removed from the ceiling immediately, the panel may break and cause injury. Cracked concrete, conversely, does not cause such immediate damage and, while it may also indicate larger structural issues, is not as dire as broken ceiling glass unless the cracks are far more severe.
Tags: apartment buildings, ceiling glass, concrete ceilings, less substantial, strength concrete