Visual Distortions in Glass

A certain element of visual distortion is accepted in glass manufacturing. The glasses that are ‘processed’, such as toughened glass, go through additional manufacturing processes which can change the visual appearance of the glazing.

Damaged glass is always classed as unacceptable and will not be installed on site, however, there are a few types of glass distortion that are well documented and accepted as a natural element of processed glass.

Anisotropy (or Strain Pattern)

Anisotropy is a specific visual effect that can be seen in some toughened glass panels under polarised light. It is caused by the differing layers of ‘stress’ or tension within the thickness of a toughened glass unit. When polarised light passes through these areas of the glass it can appear as an iridescent or coloured pattern on the surface of the glass.

As polarised light is present within normal daylight Anisotropy may be visually apparent at certain times of day or under certain lighting conditions. This appearance in glass is often more apparent when the glass is viewed obliquely or when glass is installed at right angles to each other.

This visual phenomenon can also be known as a Strain Pattern, Quench Marks or Leopard Spots. Anisotropy is an accepted characteristic of the glass toughening process and is not classed as a glass defect.

Roller Wave

Roller Wave is a common type of visual distortion that may be visible in toughened glass units. It is caused during the toughening process when the heated and slightly molten glass is passed over large rollers whilst it is cooled. As a result, the glass may have a slightly waved finish to the surface.

This does not affect the strength or durability of the toughened glass and is only visually detectable under certain circumstances.

As a rule, the visual appearance of Roller Wave in glazing is not classed as a glass defect. However, at IQ Glass we follow the GGF Guidelines (Glass and Glazing Federation) to determine what is an acceptable level of roller wave and what is not.

Read More: What is Roller Wave?

Inspecting Glass Distortions

All glass is visually checked when leaving our factory and then again when installed on site. If any glass unit does not adhere to our strict quality guidelines it will be rejected and replaced.

We inspect glass using the guidelines from the Glass and Glazed Federation (GGF) which is the government recognised trade body for the glazing industry. All glass units to be inspected must be done under the strict guidelines set out to determine whether a glass unit is ‘acceptable’ or ‘unacceptable’. These guidelines include rules for how we have to inspect the glass:

• You should stand no closer than 3m away from the glass face.
• You should face the glass head-on at a 90-degree angle.
• Glass inspections should be done in natural daylight but not directly towards the sun and with no visible moisture on the glass.
• You should look through the glass rather than at the glass.
• You should exclude a 50mm wide band around the edge of the glass from your inspection.

You can download and view the GFF Guidelines for Glass Quality here.

Other Distortions in Glazing

If there are other visual distortions in glazing they should be inspected to determine what they are and if they are classed as acceptable within the guidelines from the GGF.

To inspect the glass we will use the guidelines as detailed above whilst looking through the glass in natural light. The glass will be classed as ‘acceptable’ if the following are neither obtrusive nor bunched together:

• Bubbles or blisters
• Fine scratches, no longer than 25mm
• Minute particles

Toughened and toughened laminated glass as used in IQ installations is a processed glass. It is accepted that a small amount of distortion may be visible through such glass. Using sealed glass units increases the number of reflections which may accentuate any visible visual distortions. In addition, Metal Oxide coatings such as Low E Coatings may produce momentary visual effects in the surface of glass.

Distortion in Curved Glasses

The guidelines from the GGF only apply to flat glass. There are currently no guidelines for quality for curved glazing. It is accepted that there will be a certain element of visual distortion through curved glass units, especially if they are used in a double or triple glazed unit. Any roller wave on the surface of the glass will be extenuated through the curving process and the way in which glass is curved may result in varying glass thicknesses across the curve.

If you have any questions about visual distortion in modern glass units please do contact the team at IQ on 01494 722 880.

Originally published at technical.iqglassuk.com.