How does glass facade thickness selection affect structural strength and overall project cost?

Glass thickness selection balances structural requirements, acoustic targets and cost. Thicker lites increase bending stiffness and impact resistance, reducing risk of breakage under wind or thermal stress—useful for large spans and high-wind sites. However, thicker glazing raises unit weight, driving larger mullions, stronger anchors and increased crane and handling costs during installation. Acoustic improvement can be achieved using asymmetric pane thicknesses rather than uniformly thick lites, optimizing cost versus performance. Thermal performance is primarily driven by IGU composition, coatings and cavity fill rather than thickness alone. In salt-abrasion environments of the Gulf, thicker outer lites may offer marginal durability benefits but stress at edges and sealant compatibility must be evaluated. Finite element analysis and glass stress calculations per relevant codes help define the minimum thickness to achieve safety margins while controlling lifecycle costs. Work with your metal curtain wall supplier to model whole-façade behavior, confirming frame capacity and anchor design before finalizing glass thickness to avoid unforeseen cost escalation.