Useful InformationTruCurve - Premier supplier of curved glass and glass laminating in Ireland

General Advice

When considering using curved glass would cover three main areas for your consideration.
  • Design
  • Framework
  • Practicalities

Design

It is often a good idea to produce a scaled drawing showing the plan view, a front elevation view and if possible a 3D view showing the glass in situ. It is a good exercise because early on you get a good idea of what the finished job will look like, thereby giving an opportunity to make any necessary changes early on. Areas to do with design, harmony and proportion along with possible handling issues can all be assessed at this stage.

Framework

Especially if there are curved frames being made specifically to take the curved glass, you need to ensure that both match correctly.
Usually when using Aluminium or PVC windows, the main concern is that the finished radius is correct and that the frame is not warped.
When timber frames are being used, apart from the radius being correct, you need to specify that the rebate should be 20mm wide and deep enough to take the specified glass thickness. e.g you need a 50mm deep rebate to take a 28mm thick d.g unit, the remaining space being taken up by the retaining bead. Also make sure that the retaining beads on any curved framework are on the outside and not on the inside.

Practicalities

An important part of design involves giving consideration to practical elements.
For example, if you are building a concrete stairs, if you are talking about large sized panels or you need to consider a shape which is not a true curve, we would encourage you to let us know your ideas first before committing to them. Irregular shapes for example are usually more expensive and a little thought can often bring about economical solutions.

Services

Services provided by Trucurve glass include measuring and surveying on site, specifying what glass to use and arranging transportation of finished goods.
Especially in relation to areas such as stairs it means that you the customer can have full confidence knowing that what you have asked for, you will get.

Measuring for a curve

Measuring for a curve, like everything else, is simple when you know how !
We hope the following guidelines will be of some help.
The main principle to understand is that accuracy is achieved by working/ measuring from point to point.
For example in the sketch below, the blue line and dots represent external point to point dimensions of a panel of glass. i.e chord, radius, depth of bend, and girth.
The red line and dots represent the internal dimensions of the same panel of glass.
For us to produce curves from measurements supplied we need accurate details of at least 1 of the following options, along with the height.

  • 1. Radius and angle of arc (specify whether int. or ext)
  • 2. Radius and chord
  • 3. Chord and depth of bend

The above holds true once the curve represents a part or segment of a circle. However where the curve is an irregular shape, either elliptical or part curved with part straight, then we would always recommend taking an accurate template of the shape.
Of course where templates are being provided, like with measurements it is important to specify what they represent: int. or ext or centre.

How to judge quality

Areas that one can look to when considering the quality of a panel of curved glass.
Optically it should have no waves in it which give a distorted view when looking through the glass.
However because it is produced by means of a heat process, small surface blemishes are unavoidable and inspection from a distance of 3mtr is the standard set and used by the industry.
Accuracy of the curve is vital in most cases to ensure that the glass fits without being put under pressure. Where a particular job is difficult, we would normally alert the customer beforehand that the normal tolerances cannot be guaranteed and that a little extra manoeuvrability should be built in.
Included in the area of accuracy is the need for straightness (no warping) in the vertical height of the curved panel.

(This is not a problem with annealed laminated panels, but we usually warn customers that in the case of toughened panels allowance needs to be made for warping / bowing in the vertical height of panels over1.5 - 2 mt high).

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Terms & Conditions

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Useful Links

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a template needed every time when ordering curved glass?

No is the simple answer. We can produce orders from proper production drawings or from accurate measurements. (please see 'How to measure a curve') However for the person who does not have cad facilities, or who might not have complete confidence in their measuring skills a template is probably the safest way to ensure the order is correct.
We would ask that as much specific detail as possible is included with the template, usually made with a light MDF / ply or h/borad The shape on the board, does it represent the inside , outside or even centre of glass ?
What tolerance has been or should be allowed in the length of the curve? Is the height indicated on the template and has tolerance been allowed? Are name and contact details clearly marked on the board. Sometimes if it is convenient, people drop in the frame to us for us to measure.

Does Trucurve provide framework as well as glass?

We don't supply any framework, but we can however help in locating a supplier, by recommending someone we have worked with in the past or one that shows they have the capabilities to work to the necessary quality mark.

What about fitting of the finished product?

We are a manufacturer specialising in the supply only to the various trades and most of these contractors fit their own products including the glass.
Where a customer is not able to do this, we can arrange for a third party possibly a local glass company to carry out the work.

What is the main difference between laminated and toughened glass?

There are a lot of terms which can overlap and cause confusion, but we will try to keep things as simple as possible.

Laminated glass usually refers to 2 or more panes of ordinary annealed glass which are bonded together. This is done for safety and security reasons because if the laminated panel gets a bang and the glass is cracked as a result, it will stay intact and maintain its integrity, unlike ordinary glass which can oftentimes disintegrate.

The thicker the laminate panel usually the better its safety/ security rating. But regardless of how thick it is, it does not have the mechanical strength of toughened glass

Toughened glass, because of the way it is produced, has a strength 5 times that of ordinary annealed glass. The process subjects the glass to a structural transformation, or transformation of its surface which increases its mechanical resistance, especially its tensile strength.

Because of this it is considered a structural element whereas laminated glass is not. Nowadays it is becoming common to see the term 'toughened laminated glass' and this describes where 2 panes of toughened glass are laminated together.

This is probably the best of both worlds where safety and strength are needed in unison..

Does curved glass have a fire rating?

No it does not. Curved glass has the same fire rating as ordinary flat glass. Fire rating in glass is achieved by two principle means; either a pyro type glass is used (like a pyrex dish in a domestic oven) or a composite type glass using ordinary glass with intumescent interlayers thereby achieving the necessary fire rating.

Can curved glass be cut down to size?

That depends on the state its in. If its annealed it can be cut like ordinary glass. When its laminated it becomes much harder and no guarantees can be given. In its toughened state nothing can be done with it. That is why we put so much emphasis on getting all the details correct so that the job is done once and done correctly.


General Glazing Guidelines

The guidelines for fitting of curved glass are similar to those of flat glass in many respects.
For example ensuring there is enough tolerance for expansion, taking care that the glass does not come in contact with metal or indeed other glass, and in the case of window frames making sure that the glass is sitting on glazing blocks which are properly positioned.

* The main point to note is that curved glass should never be pushed or forced into place, but rather fitted in a way that does not put the glass under undue stress. It should 'sit there' and sealed with a sealant which is compatible for the glass being used.

* When glazing double glazed units, talk to your supplier and make sure that you use neutral cure silicone that does not have any organic plasticisers. Some of these silicones will attack the primary sealant on the unit causing it to break down over time.

* Butyl mastic strips are also very good for sealing and have the advantage of not being messy to work with. Where the glass is being fitted internally, the use of foam tape or neoprene gaskets work well.

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