Gleaming glass finishes are a hallmark of today’s sleek building designs — and that’s just part of the story.

Modern glass also combines perfectly with some of the construction industry’s latest technology, resulting in a whole new level of efficiency and affordability.

It all starts with super-slim, flexible glass, so thin that it can be rolled into long spools like paper. The rolls can carry as much as 4000 square feet of glass on a single spool, making it much easier to ship and handle than flat sheets. Processors can roll the glass onto a traditional flat building material — medium density fiberboard (MDF), for example — and create a durable, glistening laminate.

This is where the convergence of construction technology and contemporary glass starts to reap even bigger benefits. The glass increases the durability of the substrate, adding a scratch-resistant, easy to clean, beautiful surface that can be designed to suit any taste.

Once the job begins, builders often encounter walls or backsplashes with uneven angles and non-standard outlet holes, especially in older structures. With modern glass laminates, they can custom-cut those tricky surfaces on-site, usually only needing common handheld power tools. The custom-cut, glass-covered sheet can be installed within minutes, instead of taking several days for a special order. The result: Less waste, reduced cost.

Companies like DIRTT Environmental Solutions (DIRTT) are applying these concepts in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and hotels. DIRTT’s popular Back Painted Glass tiles now feature ultra-slim, flexible Corning^® Willow^® Glass, substantially speeding up the manufacturing process and giving DIRTT clients an innovative building and design material.

Meanwhile, the efficiency and waste reduction bring a new element of environmental consciousness to the construction world. Less material scrap, of course, means fewer trips to the landfill. But being able to create customized dimensions and aesthetics with speed and accuracy also means far less energy spent on transportation and manufacturing — and, in turn, less pollution of water and air.

With broader design possibilities and improved efficiency and environmental performance in every step of the process, it’s crystal-clear that glass is ushering in a host of new possibilities for the buildings of tomorrow.