Curved glass is created through a precise heating and forming process called slumping or bending. Flat glass sheets are placed on custom-made molds in specialized kilns and gradually heated to 1100-1400°F, reaching a softening point where gravity naturally pulls the glass into the mold shape. For complex curves, vacuum forming applies negative pressure to encourage precise conformation to the mold. Once formed, the glass undergoes carefully controlled cooling (annealing) to relieve internal stresses. Computer-controlled precision enables manufacturers to create consistent curves for architectural applications, furniture, aquariums, and automotive uses. Advanced techniques can produce multi-directional curves and even spherical shapes. After forming, curved glass can be tempered for safety, laminated for security, or treated with coatings for solar control in high-performance applications.
