Large frame glazing

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Moohi
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Large frame glazing

Post by Moohi »

Hi folks
I seem to be doing more large frames lately and I’m learning on the job so to speak
I’m looking at using glass for about 10 jobs that are approximately 2600mm x 1000mm so would need to be 4mm
The customer doesn’t like the idea of plastic but if that’s the only option….
Where would I source this size?
Thanks for any advice
Jon
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by GeoSpectrum »

A glazing firm would probably be the best bet unless
You are looking at specialist glass…
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by Fruitini »

Wow thats massive for glass. It will be seriously heavy. If you can talk them into 5mm acrylic you are probably halving the weight. Wessex or centrado for cut to size acrylic, although you'll probably find it cheaper online somewhere
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by pramsay13 »

I've just had 4mm glass from Centrado that was 1960mm x 1390mm. It was already cut to size.
Looking at their website the maximum size is 2440mm x 1605mm so not sure where you will get larger.
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by Not your average framer »

That's also massive for acrylic as well, There may be difficulties transporting something that size in a normal van size.
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by JFeig »

You did not state where the finished framed piece is to be displayed.

For the safety of the framer and the client, I would say a big "that is not an option. At over 100 inches x 40 inches that is almost double the 'go-no go" size limit for glass recommended by and organization during the almost 40 years of being around picture framing. Acrylic is the only safe solution and should be in the 6mm thick range with an oversized rebate (8-10 mm wide) to allow for flex as well as expansion and contraction.
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Moohi
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by Moohi »

Hi folks
Thanks for your replies
I will email my local glass specialist
I have spoken to them and they have indicated that there is a shortage of float glass until around November
It’s tough enough making 8ft frames let alone finding a glass supplier who would supply such large sheets
I guess that’s what is interesting about picture framing, there’s always a new challenge round the corner! 😀
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by Moohi »

After some thought, I think glass is not an option due to health and safety
Thanks again for your advice
Happy framing 🖼
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by pramsay13 »

Surely it would be easier to work out the largest size of glass you can do comfortably and go back to the customer with this information.
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by Not your average framer »

I don't think that you have any idea how heavy a piece of glass this size is going to be. Just the weight of the glass is going to be a problem making a frame strong enough to support the weight of the glass. Also how are you going to lift such a heavy piece of glass in to the frame. I really have my doubts if glass is even a viable solution for something of this size. It's really a serious problem.

A piece of 6mm acrylic that size is going to be a problem, because of the weight as well. I'm not kidding you need to talk to some real experts about this, to get a proper understanding of what is possible. I think that you need to talk to the glazing experts at Wessex about this! There are some serious questions that need asking about this, including how many people will be needed the lift a piece of 6mm acrylic this size off of the delivery vehicle. I'm not sure how practical this is going to be!
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by JonathanB »

This whole thread makes me feel really nervous. There’s a popular misconception that acrylic is going to be light, but if you look into it, a square metre of 3mm glass and a square metre of 6mm acrylic are going to be of a similar weight. There are companies who would take this on, but I certainly wouldn’t.
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by Not your average framer »

Yes, it's a seriously scary job and the weight of the glass is possibly enough to bow the glass enough to break it. Whether it is glass, or acrylic, it will require a much wider that usual rebate to provide enough support and the thickness of the sight rdge of the frame will need to be thick enough to provide the necessary strengh to resist the forces due to the weight of the glazing. I also do not expect framers point to be strong enough to hold everything together either, instead I think we are talking about chunky batterns and plenty of really solid and strong wood screws.
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Re: Large frame glazing

Post by Not your average framer »

I hope that you have not already allowed the customer to choose a frame moulding, as a nornal frame secured at the corners by underpinning is unlikely to withstand the weight of the glazing. I think that the corner joints will need to be very strong indeed! It's the bottom corners that need to support all of the weight of of the glazing.

Is this frame going to hang on a wall? It is going to need a very solid wall to support so much weight and it might need a builder to fix it to the wall.

Have you already quoted a price for framing this? I don't think that it going to be a cheap job, to do this! I fact it's going to be well over a thousand pounds. I would get an architectrual wood working company to make it out off laminated oak so that I does not bow over the years and the corners would be drilled, glued, screwed and dowelled with very substantial oak dowels, together with a sub=frame and straners as well.

I am one of the few framers who might have taken on a job like this before I had my stroke, but that's only because there is a first class architectural woodwork and joinery company in my town and I would definitely use them to make the frame and arrange to assemble the glazing, artwork, backing and sub-frame in to the frame in their workshops. They also have suitable vehicles to delivery the finished job to the customer and I would not wish to get involve with fixing the frame to the wall at all - That's the customers responsiblty and definitely not mine!
Mark Lacey

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