Bent glass is normal glass curved by a special process. Bent or curved glass is a great alternative to the conservative rectangular design of buildings as it is available in a wide range of sizes, allowing the creation of unique and unconventional shapes. Bent glass enhances aesthetics of architectural structures.

Production

Any form of bent glass starts with flat glass and is typically produced in a horizontal mould by slowly heating the glass to approximately 600°C. The heat makes the glass soften sufficiently, transforming flat glass into various shapes of the mould. The glass gradually takes the shape of the mould and is afterwards slowly air cooled to avoid any internal stress. The mould is very important because it alone determines what the glass would look like. The mould determines the quality and the angle of the curve.

Bent glass offers significant advantages over normal glass: the thickness of the glass can be significantly reduced and this obviously reduces the overall weight of the structure and thus its cost. The extra rigidity of bent glass allows for greater freedom in the architectural design, where more space can be covered with glass. This is an especially important advantage when it comes to designing skylights. The lighter the structures and frameworks are, the less material that is required, and lower the cost.

Bent Laminated Glass

Typical applications for bent laminated glass include railing systems, elevator and revolving door enclosures, skylights and overhead glazing, and interior partitions. In addition to minimizing risk of injury from broken glass fragments, bent laminated glass is effective in security areas, reduces sound transmission, blocks potentially harmful ultra-violet light rays, and is available in a range of color tints.

Applications

Bent glass adds a special touch to aesthetic design. Curved glass surfaces can be used as part of the building facade or to make up the whole façade as well as have different applications for external and sites. Some of the external, architectural and internal applications are listed:

External applications

1.    Facades
2.    Shop fronts
3.    Windows
4.    Panoramic lifts

Internal applications

1.    Showcases
2.    Shower doors and enclosures
3.    Curtain walls
4.    Refrigerator cabinets
5.    Elevator glass panels
6.    Partitions

Architectural applications

•    Domes
•    Solariums/Aquariums
•    Barrel Vaults
•    Revolving doors