Customers and the wider glass community of fabricators, processors, wholesalers, architects and specifiers can now benefit from 24/7 online access to the Guardian Glass Resource Hub, a new digital platform that offers a wealth of technical information on glass, as well as engineering, analytical and specification tools, marketing resources and interactive training – all in one place.
The Resource Hub includes a comprehensive technical library that allows self-service on technical enquiries. Technical information and notes are available on a wide range of searchable topics such as glass fundamentals, thermal stress management, bent glass, understanding condensation on glass, as well as specialty applications, interior glass and architectural glazing.
Users also have access to Guardian Glass Analytics, a comprehensive suite of engineering and analytical tools that help demonstrate the benefits of high performance glass in building façades. These tools include the Performance Calculator for modelling thermal and optical properties of glass substrates, coatings and interlayers; the Glass Visualizer for evaluating the aesthetic properties of glass make-ups; and the Acoustic Assistant for estimating the acoustic performance of many types of glass make-ups.
In the Specification Tools section, the Product Selector allows users to quickly find the most suitable Guardian Glass product for their project. Using search, sort, and filter options, in just a few clicks, users can explore the aesthetic and functional possibilities of Guardian Glass products, while helping them to choose a solution that also meets other important project criteria such as a building’s energy and daylighting requirements. In addition, Guardian Glass for BIM (Building Information Modelling) is an Autodesk Revit© plug-in that works within the Revit work flow to guide selection and specification of Guardian Glass products. This powerful application analyses key performance metrics (thermal, passive solar heat gain, natural daylight) for all glass types. The software supports early-stage design considerations, enabling users to establish the optimal glass-to-wall ratio, define an early-stage glazing performance selection, as well as understand the location, orientation and the effects of shading from surrounding buildings. Guardian Glass for BIM also supports designers at the schematic and detailed design stages of their project, including selection and specification of glazing to meet performance requirements, geometry optimization, and downloadable detailed specification and performance reports. Thermal analysis tools are also provided to enable users to calculate total window or curtain wall system U-values.
The Resource Hub also includes the Training Centre, a platform with a variety of online interactive training tools and resources, including video-based learning sessions, webinars and an in-person training booking system. The Marketing Resources tool provides a range of downloadable marketing resources such as Guardian Glass logos, which users can utilize in their own marketing materials.
Steven Scrivens, Global Head of Digital Platforms at Guardian Industries, said, “We want to provide our customers and the wider glass community, including those who specify glass in buildings, with 24/7 access to the tools and technical information they need to make faster, better and more informed decisions about glass and its use in building projects. By providing a combination of technical information, analytical tools, marketing and training resources, the Resource Hub is a very powerful, valuable, self-service platform.”
Access to the Resource Hub is via the Guardian Glass website. After creating a user profile, customers simply log in to start enjoying the benefits of the new digital platform.