Il curved glass represents one of the most fascinating and innovative solutions in the panorama ofmodern building. Used to create spectacular facades, uniquely designed skylights and enveloping interiors, it combines aesthetics and advanced technology.
In this content, we will explore the production processes, applications and potential of curved glass for the construction sector.
The merits of technical-scientific progress
In recent decades, advances in manufacturing processes and materials science have enabled the achievement of tighter radii and larger glass dimensions. This has not been a process without challenges, particularly with recent regulations on energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings. The new coatings, chemically and mechanically sensitive, require a specific know-how to be subjected to bending, without this process causing damage or loss of performance.
How is curved glass made?
Three different processes can be distinguished:
- gravity bendingThe plate, heated to approximately 600°C, is placed inside or above a curved mould, into which it progressively sinks by gravity.
- Bending with heat treatment. The glass is bent during heat treatment in the oven. This process is faster than the previous one, but can cause optical distortions.
- Cold bendingUsed to bend insulating glass, the process involves inserting a flat sheet of glass into a bent frame and either securing or gluing the frame’s outer surface with silicone sealant.
Advantages and applications in construction
Curved glass offers numerous advantages from a structural and functional point of view. In fact, it helps to improve the diffusion of natural light inside the spaces, promoting greater brightness and a more comfortable environment. From a technical point of view, curved glass ensures greater resistance to mechanical loads and wind stress, adapting perfectly to the needs of complex projects and innovative structures.
Finally, thanks to its versatility, curved glass can be used for internal and external installations, creating fluid separations that give a sense of openness to environments.
These benefits, combined with the possibility of offering architects and designers a wide creative freedom, mean that curved glass is adopted for numerous applications, including: curtain walls, skylights and roofs, internal partition walls and numerous urban design elements, such as shelters and pedestrian tunnels.
Curved glass is an element capable of integrate aesthetics, functionality and sustainability. Thanks to its flexibility and cutting-edge technologies, it continues to revolutionize the world of architecture, giving buildings a unique and futuristic look.
Source: guardianglass.com
