Seeking source for custom curved safety glass.

[neelie]

I'm considering replacing the acrylic windows (photos below) with safety or tempered glass.

I don't even know if its feasible or even possible.

Does anyone know if it is possible to get "one off" custom compound curved safety/tempered glass made? If so a contact email / phone would be appreciated.

Any idea of cost?

Or should I just stick with acrylic?

[GordMay]

Try some of these:

Taylor Marine Windshield & Glazing:
http://www.taylormarine.com/brochures/Capabilities.pdf
or:
Taylor Made Systems Pacific

Custom Glass Corporation:
Custom Fabricated Glass Specialty Glass Bent Glass Bulletproof Glass Silk Screened Glass Security Glass

Precision Glass Bending Corp.
Precision Glass Bending Corp.

Toughglass Ltd:
Flat and Curved Toughened Glass

Bent and Curved Glass Pty Ltd:
Bent and Curved Glass Pty Ltd - Leading Australian glass bending company.

[mikereed100]

Hi Neelie,

I originally designed my cabin wih radiussed sides with the intent to use similarly radiussed tempered glass for the windows, reasoning that the curve would give extra strength as well as more interior room and cleaner lines. After pricing curved glass I redesigned the cabin with flat sides. I don't recall exact prices but curved was several times more expensive than flat. I think that if I were in your position I would be very tempted to go with cast acrylic, but maybe one of Gord's sources can help out. Best of luck!

Mike

[neelie]

Thanks. Gord - I'll go check out out your suggestions.
I dot know what version of Google you use Gord - but its a damn sight more prolific than mine!!.

Mike : I rather suspected that it was a more expensive option - but in the long run may not be all that more expensive.

[GordMay]

Neelie:
I’d likely stick with the acrylic windows, due to the:
- cost
- weight
- workability
- failure mechanism*
of fully tempered (and shaped) glass.

* Tempered glass fails in a unique way. If any part of the glass fails, the entire panel shatters at once. When fully tempered glass breaks, the glass fractures into small, relatively harmless fragments (called "dicing"). This distinguishes it from normal glass, which might experience a small crack or localized breakage from an isolated impact. Tempered glass might also fail long after the event that caused the failure. Stresses continue to play until the defect erupts, triggering breakage of the entire panel.

I don't have any good web-links discussing (fully) tempered glass vs acrylic in the marine environment.

HTH,
Gord

[neelie]

Damn! I was hoping you would have had a more positive outlook for laminated glass.

Looks like I may take your advice and stick with acrylic and live with scratches and hazing etc. I will have to wean myself off my addiction to Windex, the curse of everything plastic.

Oddly, though, Broadblue had started specifying glass for their windows in the latter years before they went T.U.

Cheers
niels

[GordMay]

Perhaps someone else, with more specific knowledge than I, can offer you the encouragement you desire.

BTW: “Laminated” safety glass, such as used in automobile front windshields, has a layer of plastic sandwiched beween two layers of fully tempered glass - even more expensive than the “plain” fully tempered glass used in side and rear windows.

[neelie]

Yeah, the quote I got was for laminated glass. A bit dear but if I can keep sniffing Windex, I'll be a happy chappy. Seriously, the strength issue is a big concern. Although on a multihull, its a lot less critical than a mono in that it doesn't have to survive a rollover and still retain its integrity. But for the odd wave over the deck, a sheet of saran wrap would almost do.

I now feel like I'm shopping around for advice until I find some which agrees with my point of view - an unfortunate trait I seem to have learned from my employers!

But for now, acrylic is still the one

Once again many thanks for your research.

niels

[bstreep]

I think you've probably figured this out, but I wouldn't even think twice. Acrylic is the solution you are looking for.