subject: Glass Cutting Techniques For Custom Installations [print this page] Glass is an essential element in the home that is often taken for granted. Windows, doors, coffee tables, shelves, shower doors, fireplace glass and more parts of a home rely on glass for looks, safety, and keeping out the elements. When one of these items breaks or needs replacement, a basic understanding of standard glass size installations and glass cutting techniques for custom projects can be quite useful.
Glass for most windows, doors, mirrors and other pieces comes in a range of standard sizes. Standard sizes are used because they are less expensive due to mass production. It is easy for designers and contractors to select the right standard size for most projects and replacements. With a little maneuvering, a standard window, for example, will fit tightly into a standard opening and result in a clean installation that looks good, is airtight and water tight.
However, there are probably several glass items in your home that are not a standard size. In these cases, more care must be taken to ensure that the custom glass is sized and installed correctly. Large picture windows, mirrors, and custom shower doors are likely to require a custom piece of glass.
A good glass company will be able to cut a piece of glass to suit your exact needs. It is very important to get your custom glass properly cut so that it fits well for air tightness, to prevent moisture infiltration, and for aesthetics. Custom glass cutting techniques include hand cutting and using machinery for cutting glass.
Hand cutting custom glass involves using a straight edge, a glasscutter and a pair of pliers. The straight edge is used to guide the glasscutter to make a deep score in the glass in a single pass. After scoring the glass, it is a good idea to use a glass tapper to begin to weaken the scored line.
With smaller pieces of glass, pliers can be used to break off the excess. With larger pieces, it helps to lay the scored line along the edge of a table and give a firm push down to crack the glass along the score. This technique works well for glass up to one quarter inch thick. Some people like to cut the glass themselves, while others prefer to leave it to a professional glass company.
For more involved jobs, like custom shower doors, a water jet is the best way to cut glass. This type of machinery is very versatile and can cut everything from the most delicate pieces of glass to thick, bullet resistant glass. A fine but powerful cutting stream of about 1mm in thickness can quickly cut custom pieces, as well as cut holes and intricate shapes.
A few glass companies have begun to laser cut custom glass. This is a more involved and expensive process, but has exciting possibilities. A glass company can offer you different services for glass cutting, as well as advice on the best technique for cutting your glass.
