Proper maintenance of your building’s exterior is critical not only in terms of visual appeal, but also in terms of safety and functionality. Conducting facade inspections, cleaning and repairs can be a complex and time-consuming process, however. Fortunately, the use of rope access can make facade maintenance much more simple.
What is Rope Access?
Rope access involves the use of ropes and harnesses to traverse the exterior of buildings to conduct inspections, repairs, removals, installations, and cleaning services.
Due to strict training requirements and safety standards, rope access is considerably safer than alternative access methods such as the use of scaffolding and cranes.
Why is Rope Access Ideal for Facade Maintenance?
Aside from being the safest access method, rope access is also a faster, less-disruptive, and less-expensive method of carrying out facade maintenance work.
With little set-up and pack-up times, rope access drastically reduces the time it takes to carry-out facade work. This, in turn, cuts costs associated with labour and equipment and makes the process much more straight-forward.
In addition, the lack of scaffolds, platforms and cranes makes rope access a much more subtle process. This reduces disruption to your building and its inhabitants and won’t compromise your building’s visual appeal.
Rope access is also much more ideal for facade maintenance as it provides workers with greater mobility and flexibility to move around the building. This allows them to reach more difficult-to-access areas with very little restriction from equipment.
If you’re wanting to make the change to rope access, get in contact with the Magic Glass team today. Our dedicated Rope Access Division offers an abundance of services that will keep your building’s facade clean, safe and functional.
Whether it’s rain, wind or shine, harsh weather conditions can have significant effects on your building. Strong winds, rain and hail can cause breakage to glass whilst exposure to sunlight can cause UV rays that penetrate glass panels and damage items inside.
It is therefore important to take necessary precautions in protecting your glass windows and doors from harsh weather. Our guide on 4 Ways to Protect Your Glass from the Elements will help you get started .
Safety Glass
A great way to take precaution against weather damage is to invest in safety glass for your windows and doors. Safety glass is designed to withstand high - impact forces and extreme weather conditions, including strong winds, high-powered storms, and fluctuating temperatures.
They are often also effective in filtering UV rays, protecting the interior of your home from sun damage and boosting your home’s energy efficiency by keeping the heat out.
There are different types of safety glass, including tempered and laminated glass. To find out which is best for you and your property, read our Laminated VS Tempered Glass blog.
Security Film
Security window film is an easy and affordable way to protect your windows from weather damage. These films are made of a pliable Myler coating that is applied to the inside of your glass. They help the glass withstand larger forces and prevent glass from shattering dangerously.
Security films can be tinted, mirrored or coloured and are also effective at blocking out harmful UV rays.
Storm Windows and Doors
Storm windows and doors involve installing a second window or door panel over an existing one. They provide protection from extreme weather conditions by reinforcing windows, without replacing the existing glass.
They are a good option if you’re seeking a cost-effective method to prevent weather damage that’s more effective than security film.
Storm Shutters
Storm shutters are a type of protective shutter that attaches to the outside of a window. They are effective in protecting the window from strong winds, rain, hail, and sunlight.
Storm shutters are a popular choice for homeowners as they can be folded or rolled away so you can still enjoy your view. They are also more cost-effective than completely replacing your glass with safety glass.
Look for shutters made of aluminium, aluminium-wrapped foam, or reinforced fabric.
If you’re wanting to take precaution against weather damage, give Magic Glass a call. We can advise you on the best safety glass options for your building and can also help in the event of glass breakage caused by weather. Call us on 18 000 GLASS.
Glass replacement is not just for when you have a broken window or door. It can also be a critical component in making your property safer, more energy efficient and more resistant to noise.
Read on to learn more about knowing when it’s time to replace your glass.
1. Unsafe/Old Glass
The Australian Standards around glass are always changing, so ensuring you’re in compliance with them is important.
If your building is old and the glass hasn’t been replaced in a while, it’s worthwhile getting a professional in to have a look. They will be able to verify whether your glass is compliant and inform you of your options if it is not.
Remember: ensuring compliance with all Australian Standards is your legal responsibility if you are a building owner. You can be liable if there are any issues that occur as a result of non-compliant glass.
2. Fragile Glass
If your glass is fragile or standard single-pane, it may be time to think about upgrading to more secure glazing units - especially if you have children.
Installing toughened or laminated glass into your home will make a huge difference in improving safety and security.
These types of safety glass are difficult to break so they will make your property much more secure in the event of an attempted break-in or in harsh weather conditions.
In the rare event that they do break, both toughened and laminated glass are designed to either stay intact or shatter into much smaller pieces, as opposed to large sharp shards. This will prevent injury and make clean-up much easier.
3. Energy Wasting Glass
Standard, single-pane glass is also very energy-inefficient. It allows for easy heat transfer through your windows and doors, requiring more thermal control inside your home.
Upgrading to multi-glazed, laminated or low-emissivity coated glass is a great way to improve your building’s energy efficiency. These types of glass are great at insulating your home, keeping it cool during the summer and warm during the winter without you needing to blow your energy bill.
For more information on energy-efficient glass, read our How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient Using Glass blog.
4. Loud Glass
If you’re finding that your glass is bad at blocking out external noise, it may be another sign to get a replacement.
Multi-glazed and laminated glass are much more sound-resistant than standard glass panels. They are great at keeping outside noise outside and maintaining the peace and quiet in your home.
Magic Glass are the experts in glass replacement. Whether you want to ensure your glass is compliant with current safety standards, make your home safer and more peaceful for you family, or boost the energy efficiency of your property, get in contact with our team today!
