The Glass Association of North America's (GANA) flat glass manufacturing division (FGMD) has released the 2005 edition of the Specifier's Guide to Architectural Glass. The guide can be downloaded for free at www.glasswebsite.com; it was published previously by the Primary Glass Manufacturers Council (PGMC).

The guide is designed to provide architects, engineers and specifiers an introduction to today's architectural glass. It includes a description of how float glass is manufactured, and offers design professionals information on types of glass, performance characteristics and how these items relate to designs, specifications, building codes and construction requirements. The physical properties of glass are also discussed. An explanation of float glass thermal and solar optical performance properties is included as well.

"While the guide is focused on information for architects, engineers and specifiers, glass industry personnel will also find the resource of value in providing support to the design professionals and in training personnel within their own organization," said Mauro DiFazio, FGMD chairperson, of Visteon.