WHAT IS SLUMPED GLASS?

Slumping is a kiln firing process that uses heat and gravity to transform sheets of glass into the shape of a patterned mold. Escape Glass can create an almost endless variety of forms, styles and patterns when slumping glass.When the glass is heated in any of our 5 kiln and enters a liquid state, gravity pulls it to the ground. In glass slumping, this “ground” or floor is some type of mold that we have created and styled.After the heated glass has flowed into the mold and assumed its shape, it is cooled back down to room temperature. By the time the glass is fully back to room temperature the liquid glass will be solidified into the harder form of glass and the result is a patterned or textured glass effect. Its new permanent shape will be that of the design and mold we have handmade.Simply put slumping is a technique in which items are made in a kiln by means of shaping glass over molds at high temperatures. This means we can manipulate patterns and textures to customise glass for you!   

 Due to the handmade nature of Escape slumped glass, in some cases, patterns on a larger scale may vary slightly from samples provided. Care should be taken when selecting textures as images and patterns may not overlap from panel to panel. 

The molding process may cause random variations in background textures and some expansion, contraction or toughening markings may be evident in the final product.Slumped glass has two texturally different sides each with corresponding visual differences. It is generally preferred to view the glass from the smooth side. All Escape slumped glass is produced with fired edges, additional edge work is not necessary.

WHAT COLOUR CAN I HAVE?

Colour tinted glass is available in green, blue, and grey (subject to availability). Glass can be colour coated in opaque and metallic paint we work with the Resene and Dulux colour ranges to apply almost any colour to both flat or slumped glass.

Glass can also be sandblasted. 

WHAT ARE THE SIZE SPECIFICATIONS?

Of course you can, talk to us today on the various ways of making this happen and how it can be done. 

WHAT PATTERNS ARE AVAILABLE? 

GLASS PATTERNS can be viewed here. 

CAN YOU MAKE MY GLASS ANY SHAPE?

Standard or counter sunk holes, radius's, corners, curves and special cutouts are available. The diameter of the circular holes should not be less than the thickness of the glass and the total area of the holes should no exceed 10% of the area of the panel.

The glass has a nominal flatness, however where necessary a flatter glazing border (generally 10 to 40mm wide) is provided to ensure ease of installation.

Escape Glass requires finished glass sizes for all panels. All panels manufactured to a tolerance of plus or minus 3mm from quoted sizes. Templates must be provided for all non standard custom shapes and must be clearly marked with hole diameters, cutouts etc. We reserve the right to judge each job on an individual basis

WHAT IS TOUGHENED GLASS? Toughened glass, also referred to as tempered glass is physically and thermally stronger than normal glass. The prime function of any toughened glass is to ensure if broken for whatever reason then it breaks safely. The manufacturing process also increases the strength of the glass and makes it 4–5 times stronger than normal annealed or regular glass. It is ideal for many applications.

Our glass can be toughened to comply with all local building regulations. All processing must be done before the glass is toughened, any attempt to cut, drill or edge work the toughened glass will result in damage.  All slumped glass conforms to New Zealand and Australian safety standard ANSIZ97 UA when toughened and should be installed in accordance with ANSIZ97 AU safety standards. Setting blocks and spaces must be used at all times.

When toughened, slumped glass becomes 4-5 times stronger and takes on the same safe breakage characteristics of toughened flat glass breaking into small relatively harmless fragments. Toughened glass has the same installation properties as annealed glass. Normal weathering or exposure will not affect toughened slumped glass, however, the toughening process does not increase the resistance to scratching or abrasion. 
Click here for more on Toughening.  

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, this process may take weeks or even months. It is not uncommon for a single piece of glass to require tens if not hundreds of hours of work! Our estimate lead time is 5-7 weeks from the date of order + time for shipping/installation. Our customers demand perfection and this is not something that can be rushed. One chip or incorrect dimension can rarely be remedied (regardless of what stage in the process the glass is at) and mean that the manufacturing must be restarted. Our Toughening plant is also based in Nelson meaning all toughened kiln formed glass made by Escape Glass goes on a road trip across the South Island. 

DO YOU SUPPLY HARDWARE?

Escape Glass supplies a full range of hardware for installation and is happy to advise on the correct fittings for your project. Click HERE to shop hardware.