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Home (/) Blog (/blog) 4 Steps: How to Measure for Curved Glass Manufacture & Installation
4 steps: how to measure for curved glass manufacture
& installation
Whether creating a one-of-a-kind staircase,
a frameless shower, or a unique piece of
marine glass, working with curved glass is
completely unforgiving. Glass does not
wiggle or twist.  Glass shatters. Glass
cracks. Glass even explodes. When not
measured with exacting precision, glass
does not fit. Coastal Curved Glass in
Vancouver produces curved glass for
projects across North America. Most often
we work “blind”, never actually seeing the installation point first-hand.
Here are 4 Easy Steps, ensuring Coastal Curved Glass has all the correct measurements
for your project:
STEP 1 - THE CHORD
A chord is a straight line between two points on a curve or circle. As it applies to a piece of
curved glass, the chord we are wanting to measure is the distance between the two end
points of the curve. Please measure both the chord for the inner surface, as well as the
chord for the outer surface.
STEP 2 - MID POINT
Take the value measured in step 1; inner surface or outer surface, either will work for this
measurement. Divide this number by two, and you will have the mid-point of the curve.
From the measurements acquired in steps 1 and 2, we are now able to make additional
measurements and calculations. Since we are relying on the accuracy of the chord and
mid-point measurement for the next steps, it should be apparent how crucial these initial
values are, to the over-all process. Feel free to re-measure often, to ensure 100%
accuracy.
STEP 3 - OFF-SET AND DEPTH
The depth of the curved surface, also known as the off-set, represents the maximum
distance that the curved surface reaches from the chord. In other words, it is the “depth”
of the bent glass we will be producing for your project. Place a solid piece of wood or
metal firmly against the two end-points, the same end-points from which you measured
the chord. Measure a-long this beam and mark the mid-point (as determined in step 2).
Place a right-angle ruler at the mid-point of the chord and measure the distance from the
mid-point to the inner surface of the curve, as well as to the outer surface.
The reason for using a right-angle ruler against a solid surface is for maximum accuracy.
Simply eye-balling the right-angle with a straight ruler, or taking the measurement from a
Simply eye-balling the right-angle with a straight ruler, or taking the measurement from a
flexible surface at the chord, risks inaccuracies that could cause your custom glass to fit
incorrectly.

STEP 4 - RADIUS

Since our curved glass is not a complete circle, the radius must be determined using a
math formula. Again, we can’t stress enough how important the measurements obtained
in the previous steps are. If all our other calculations are based on in-accurate data, then
the false-results will compound into a finished product that will fail to fit correctly. The
radius is calculated using the following formula:

RADIUS = [DEPTH2 + (CHORD/2) 2] / 2 X DEPTH

Here’s a handy on-line calculator, to help with the process: Chord & Radius Calculator
(http://www.delorie.com/wood/chord-radius.html)

STEP 5 - GIRTH AND HEIGHT

Girth is the over-all distance of the convex surface (outer surface) of the curve, from end-
point to end-point. Girth is best measured with a soft cloth measuring tape. Metal
measuring tapes may warp and bend, distorting the measurement and causing
inaccuracies.

Height is the easiest measurement of all. Using a metal measuring tape, measure the
distance from the very top, to the very bottom of the application for which the curved
glass piece is intended.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Please visit the measuring tips section of our website (/measuring-tips), for further details,
as well as helpful diagrams that will further explain the measurements described above.

Every piece Coastal Curved Glass produces is unique and original. Each application and
design for which we produce our bent glass products presents a new set of challenges
and considerations. For this reason, we recommend you take as many measurements as
you feel will help us create an accurate product.

CAD drawings can also be useful, and if you have blue-prints or other documentation to
support the final application, please don’t hesitate to provide us with this information.

Finally, we can always be reached by phone or e-mail (/contact-us), should you have any
urgent questions or concerns. We’re here to ensure you receive the most accurate
product your project deserves.

2 Comments Coastal Curved Glass 

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Kevin
− ⚑
7 years ago

This is super helpful. Thank you so much

1△ ▽ Reply

Roland - mutschleredgetech.com
− ⚑
2 years ago
 2 years ago

Yeah. For architects, curved glasses are absolutely tempting. But the cost
production is higher that most other materials. It must be produced on site right?
The rapidly developing of technology is certainly will make this easier in the
coming years.
△ ▽ Reply

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