Structural Glazing

A Guide to Corner Glass Windows

All you need to know about bespoke glass-to-glass corner windows

Corner to corner glazing is a sleek, elegant way of introducing tonnes of natural light into internal living spaces, be they existing or new builds. Depending on a project’s wants and needs, glass to glass corner windows can be achieved with a variety of glass-to-glass configurations, benefitting both the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Corner Glass Windows for Oriel Windows

An Oriel Window is a creative structural glass solution for projects looking to feature a 3D box window or a pop-out structural glass design.  

The window design is a structural glass construction made from frameless elements of high specification glass that is sealed together without any framework, thanks to structural grade silicone. 

The glass elements of an Oriel Window are glass to glass connections, creating a frameless glass corner to the windows. Typically, an Oriel Window would include a glass top with three glass sides, all connected framelessly at the corners. However, various designs are possible with solid structural elements offsetting the frameless glass as required.  

A corner Oriel Window is both a functional and creative option to brighten otherwise dark areas within a build’s interiors. This can be achieved through both flat and curved panes of glass depending on the project’s aesthetic requirements. 

To create a completely frameless look the glass panes are equipped with a strengthening interlayer to the inner pane. This increases the strength of the glass unit so that no steel supports are required to support if roof glazing was part of the desired design. 

The glass corner window connections are created using stepped glass units and structural silicone.  

Glass Bay Windows

In line with Oriel window design principles, a full glass bay window offers an elegant contemporary twist on traditional bay windows, maintaining their classic shape and bringing in light from many different angles throughout the day. 

Externally, the finish achieved is frameless with glass-to-glass connections to the corners and at the head, while the cantilevered base can be used as a light filled window seat, a sunny reading nook, or both. 

The main difference between an Oriel and bay window is the presence of a glass roof, usually more common on the former rather than the latter, but that does not mean a glass roof cannot be added to a bay window if the project requires so. If that is the case, the roof glazing will be supported by strengthened vertical panes of glass, much like on an Oriel window, so that no steel supports are required. 

The bay windows on the façade of our Park Road project are a great example of traditionally shaped bay windows combined with a contemporary aesthetic.  

Glass-to-Glass Corner Windows: Glass Walls

The ideal, most minimal way to incorporate a glass-to-glass corner is through bespoke structural glazing. This can be achieved through frameless glass and structural silicone to create entire walls of fixed glass, with only neat silicone joins visible between panes for completely uninterrupted views, or with slim framed bifold and sliding door systems, creating entire walls of moving glass, and a seamless connection to the outdoor spaces. 

Fixed glass corner connections are achieved with full-height glass walls, thus extending the view even further. This is achieved by binding the glass panels together at the corner with a high-strength structural glazing silicone which provides stability for the joint glass panes as well as weatherproofing, allowing the configuration to accommodate any thermal expansions or contractions that naturally occur when temperatures fluctuate. 

Opening Glass Corners: Sliding Doors

The most desired feature in an opening glass corner configuration is a contemporary glazed door to create an ingress of natural light into the internal living spaces as well as providing a seamless connection with the outdoors.  
 
Choosing the right glass door is very important for both style and practicality.   

Sliding doors are a fantastic option when looking to maximise panoramic views and outdoor sceneries, be it a garden or rolling hills in the landscape. The frames of sliding doors can be manufactured to incredibly slim vertical profiles that create a frameless style aesthetic.
 

Open corner sliding doors merge the structure with the outside seating area, creating one living space during the warm seasons and maximising the external space when the doors are open. To achieve this, the base track of the glazing system is concealed into the floor for a flush surfaced finish with smooth transitioning. 

 
Sliding glass doors are very versatile due to the many configurations and adaptations available, such as an open corner sliding door or a pocket door feature, which can achieve a full opening in the same way as a bi-folding system. A pocket door is a system where builders allow a space in the wall cavity for the sliding doors to hide within when the doors are open, creating a completely frameless opening. 

 

Opening Glass Corners: Bifold Doors

Bifold doors are comprised of multiple glass units that are concertinaed to provide a large open aperture. When considering this type of system, it is paramount to compare the varied flexibilities in configuration, size and profile capabilities between systems. For example, some can open in the centre and concertina to either side for instance. This is an excellent way to open up a very wide aperture as this allows for more panes than a configuration that only slides to the left or right. 

For more information on corner glass windows and configurations, contact the IQ team today.