Resources

At Pulp Studio we take great care in the designing and manufacturing of our glass products. Provided below is information that you may find useful.

Cutouts and Locations

General

In order to assist our glass through the tempering processes it is a requirement that cutouts are located at a MINIMUM distance, as indicated in our fabrication guidelines. However basic design rules require:

  • Cutouts must have an internal radius corner that is as large as possible.
  • The width of each panel is as wide as possible.
  • The amount of glass between a hole and the edge of the glass, or between two holes, must be as great as possible.
  • Combinations of holes and notches or groups of holes within close proximity are to be avoided.
  • Notches and Cutout Shapes
  • The internal corners of notches and cutout must have radius corners.
  • The minimum radius of an internal corner should be 2.5 times the glass thickness.
  • Cutouts with any edge longer than 12″ should have an internal radius of 4 times the glass thickness.
  • Cutouts on the edge of a piece of glass must have a minimum of 4″ of glass between notches and/or corners.

Curved and Bent Glass

Radius to template

Pulp Studio is capable of creating curved panels in various radius bends which are then laminated with our variety of substrates and textured glasses. Normally we require the radius point-to-point or arc dimension. A full scale template or nominated radius of the inside edge is required prior to manufacture. 

Shaped Glass

Pulp Studio can achieve most shaped flat panels of glass provided that a full-sized hard template is supplied with all work where shapes are required. At times, drawings and electrical files may be provided in lieu of a template. Please check for your individual project. If holes are required, complete layout information must be provided with your request for estimate.

Edgework

Pulp Studio offers a variety of edgework for all our glass. We offer for both monolithic and laminated glass the following choices:

  • Flat Polish
  • Mitered
  • Beveled
  • Fire Polish
  • Ground Edges
  • Frosted Edges
  • Chipped
  • Scalloped
  • Offset Edges

As well as an assortment of other custom finishes.

Process Information

Chemical Strengthening

Chemical strengthening is achieved through a process known as ion-exchange. Glass is submersed in a molten salt bath at temperatures below the annealing range of the glass. In the case of soda-lime glass, the salt bath consists of potassium nitrate. During the submersion cycle, the larger alkali potassium ions exchange places with the smaller alkali sodium ions in the surface of the glass. The larger alkali potassium ions “wedge” their way into the voids in the surface created by the vacating smaller sodium ions. The “strengthened” surface may penetrate to a case depth of only a few thousandths of an inch.

Cast Lamination

The process of laminating glass with uneven qualities with a liquid resin. These glass products are produced with a dam tape that is 1/4″ wide and runs around the perimeter of the entire piece of glass. This tape can be removed and the edges can be polished. Please request your choice to have the tape removed at the time of your quotation. Otherwise, please make sure that your installation has a minimum of 5/16″ coverage on all sides.

Frosting and Carving

We produce a variety of frosted and carved glass decoration. Our special Micro-Frost process resembles an acid etch glass with a minimal surface texture that reduces the depression in the glass and minimizes its ability to collect dirt and oil. We have the ability to do the most basic designs to the most advanced photographic techniques in sizes as large as the availability of float glass.

Low-Iron Glass

All clear float glass contains a quantity of iron that reveals itself in typical clear glass as a green hue. This hue intensifies as glass gets thicker. This is an aspect that needs to be considered when ordering translucent and opaque materials. This hue also varies depending on the original float glass supplier. To eliminate this green hue we offer low-iron glass products that are perfectly clear as you look through the front of the glass. This glass is the perfect material when color is critical. It is also important to know that low-iron glass is designed as crystal clear from the flat surface, and although they may appear clear along the edge on occasion this is not a consistent quality.

Backpainted Glass

Using only low-iron glass for this product we coat the back of the glass with a special paint designed to bond to glass. On top of the multiple coats of paint we apply a backing surface designed to allow even annealed glass to comply with all safety requirements.

UV Bonding

A technique used to chemically bond two pieces of glass to glass, or glass to metal together with seamless joints. This process is generally used for showcases and furniture pieces.

Insulated Glass

All of our glass is available as insulated units. Please call out the glass you would like to put together in the unit and the spacer size and color. We have availability to all major glass products and will be happy to oblige whatever your needs happen to be.

Laminated/Annealed

This is the process of glass produced with annealed glass on both lites of a laminated product. This glass complies with all Category II and ANSI 97.1 requirements, although we do not use this when strength is a factor.

Laminated/Tempered

For this product we first fabricate and temper both lites of glass and then laminate them together. We recommend this product in all areas where glass strength is an issue such as exterior conditions when heat absorption is a factor or frameless doors.

Hole Size and Location

General

In order to assist our glass through the tempering processes it is a requirement that holes are located at a MINIMUM distance, as indicated on the following schedule. These rules will generally apply to laminated glass as well. However basic design rules require:

  • Holes must have an internal radius corner that is as large as possible
  • The width of each panel is as wide as possible
  • The amount of glass between a hole and the edge of the glass, or between two holes, must be great as possible.
  • Combinations of holes and notches or groups of holes within close proximity are to be avoided.
Hole Sizes and Positions
  • Holes are available in all sizes.
  • Hole diameters should be at least 1.2 times the thickness of the glass.
  • The minimum amount of glass between the edge of a hole and the edge of the glass should be 4 times the thickness of the glass, and at corners 8 times the thickness of the glass.
  • When 4 or more holes are located within a group the minimum amount of distance between the holes and the edge should be 6 times the thickness of the glass. The minimum distance between two adjacent holes should be 4 times the thickness of the glass.

Packaging

Custom-made wood crates are constructed from new lumber. Foam is then used to fill all cavities and one side of the crate is screwed on for easy access. All glass panels should be handled with care in a vertical orientation as shown, and the crate shall be slightly tilted prior to unpacking.