Curved shopfronts
Radiused corner glazing and bow-fronted display windows where a faceted corner would look wrong.
Glass Products
Curved & Bent Glass
Glass heat-formed to a radius over a shaped mould — for curved shopfronts, reception counters, spiral balustrades, shower enclosures and display cases, where a faceted approximation will not do.
- Made to your radius
- Bent, then toughened
- Template-driven
Who this work is for
- Architects
- Interior designers
- Retail brands
- Joinery workshops
Curved & Bent Glass — project photograph required
Real Al Makan photography goes here. No stock imagery is used on this site.
In practice
Curved glass is made on a mould, and the mould is the real product
Curved glass is produced by heating a flat sheet in a furnace until it softens, then allowing it to form over a shaped mould under its own weight, or pressing it into shape. Once it has taken the curve and cooled, that shape is permanent — the glass cannot be flexed to a different radius afterwards, and it cannot be trimmed. Everything therefore depends on the mould being right, which is why the template stage matters more than on any other glass product.
The practical consequence is that curved glass is not a stock item. Each radius requires its own mould, so the cost of a single curved panel carries the whole tooling cost, while a repeat run spreads it. That is worth knowing before the design is finalised: four identical curved panels are dramatically better value per panel than four different radii, and standardising a curve across a project usually saves more than any other decision.
There are real limits, and it is better to know them at concept stage than at order stage. Very tight radii are difficult, particularly in thicker glass — the thicker the sheet, the gentler the curve it will take without distortion. Large panels have practical limits set by furnace size. And any curved panel that must also be toughened is bent first and toughened afterwards, which means the processing sequence has to be planned carefully because nothing can be adjusted once it is toughened.
Optical quality is the other thing to discuss honestly. Bending glass introduces a degree of optical distortion, most visible in reflections and in views at a shallow angle — reflected straight lines will bow slightly. This is inherent to the process rather than a defect, and it is usually unnoticeable in a curved shower or a reception counter. On a large curved shopfront where reflections dominate, it is worth seeing a sample before committing.
Four identical curved panels cost dramatically less per panel than four different radii. Standardise the curve.
Where it is used
Curved & Bent Glass — typical applications
The situations this work most often solves. If yours is not listed, it is still worth asking.
Reception counters
Curved glass fronts and tops to reception desks and bar counters.
Spiral and curved balustrades
Panels that follow the sweep of a curved stair or a radiused landing edge.
Curved shower enclosures
Quadrant and bow-fronted enclosures made to the actual tray radius.
Display cases and retail fixtures
Curved vitrines, cabinet fronts and product displays.
Feature and partition glazing
Radiused partition returns and curved feature screens.
Design possibilities
Options you can choose from
Finishes, configurations and specification choices available on this work. Samples can be provided before anything is committed.
Radius
Specified from your drawing or taken from a physical template — gentler radii are easier in thicker glass.
Arc length and height
Panel dimensions set by furnace capacity and by how the panel will be transported and lifted.
Glass type
Clear, low-iron, tinted or mirrored, bent as annealed, toughened or laminated.
Edge finish
Flat polished or pencil polished edges, machined before bending and toughening.
Surface treatment
Sandblasting, etching or ceramic printing, applied before the bending and toughening sequence.
Laminated curved
Two bent plies laminated together where retention is required, such as curved balustrades.
Why it matters
What you get
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A true curve
A single sweeping panel rather than a faceted approximation made of straight segments and joints.
-
Made to a template
Taken from your drawing or a physical template of the actual opening, because nothing can be trimmed later.
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Bent then toughened
Curved safety glass where the application requires it, in the correct processing order.
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Honest about limits
We will tell you at concept stage if a radius, thickness or size is not achievable — not after you have committed.
Technical
Specification notes
- Process
- Gravity or press bending in a furnace over a purpose-made mould.
- Sequence
- Cut and edge-worked flat, bent to shape, then toughened or laminated as required.
- Radius limits
- Tighter radii are harder in thicker glass; the achievable minimum is confirmed per job before quoting.
- Tooling
- Each radius needs its own mould, so repeat panels of the same curve are far better value.
- Optical distortion
- Some distortion in reflections is inherent to bending; a sample is advisable on large reflective panels.
- Tolerances
- Curved panels cannot be trimmed. Templates and dimensions are confirmed in writing before tooling.
Final specification is confirmed at survey, against the actual opening, exposure and use.
How we do it
Our process for curved & bent glass
The steps specific to this work — not a generic checklist.
- 01
Template or drawing
We work from a dimensioned drawing or take a physical template from the actual opening.
- 02
Confirm feasibility
Radius, thickness, size and processing sequence checked against what is achievable before anything is committed.
- 03
Make the mould
A mould is produced to the specified radius — the step that carries the tooling cost.
- 04
Cut, bend and process
Glass cut and edge-worked flat, formed over the mould, then toughened or laminated.
- 05
Deliver and install
Handled and transported with purpose-made protection, since a curved panel cannot be remade quickly.
Get a price for curved & bent glass
Send drawings, dimensions or a photograph of the space. For anything beyond a straightforward replacement we will arrange a survey, because measuring it ourselves is the only way to quote a price that will not move.
Questions
Curved & Bent Glass — frequently asked
It depends on the thickness and the panel size — thinner glass takes a tighter radius, thicker glass needs a gentler one. Rather than quote a number that may not apply to your job, send the drawing and we will confirm what is achievable for that specific panel.
Because each radius needs its own mould, and a single panel carries that whole tooling cost. If your design can use the same radius in several places, the cost per panel falls substantially. That is usually the single biggest saving available on a curved job.
Yes. The glass is bent first and toughened afterwards. As with any toughened product, all cutting, drilling and edge work has to be done before that, because nothing can be modified once it is toughened.
Slightly, and mostly in reflections rather than looking straight through — reflected straight lines bow a little. It is inherent to the bending process, not a defect. On a shower or a counter it is unnoticeable; on a large reflective shopfront it is worth seeing a sample first.
Usually yes, but we need either the original drawing or a physical template taken from the opening, because the replacement has to match the original radius precisely. Measuring the chord and the rise from the existing frame is normally enough to reconstruct it.
Related work
Often needed alongside this
Tempered / Toughened Glass
Toughened safety glass cut, drilled and edge-worked to size, supplied loose or installed.
Explore service
Laminated Glass
Laminated safety glass for barriers, overhead glazing, security and acoustic applications.
Explore service
Shop Front Glass & Aluminium
Retail glazing and entrance systems built for footfall, security and presentation.
Explore service
Custom Works
Bespoke glass, aluminium and metal pieces for non-standard sizes, unusual details and existing buildings that are not square.
Explore service
Get in touch
Tell us about the job
Drawings, dimensions or just a photo of the space — whatever you have is enough to start.
- Call us +971 56 436 9675
- WhatsApp +971 56 436 9675
- Email almakan.uae@gmail.com
- Workshop & office Ajman Industrial Area 1, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Opening hours Open daily · 08:00 AM – 11:59 PM