Our Capabilities

We use a highly energy-efficient furnace to produce our heat-strengthened and tempered decorative architectural glass.

Tempered glass is four times stronger than standard non-safety glass of the same thickness, and breaks into small dice-sized pieces, minimizing the risk of injury (safety glass). Heat-strengthened glass is two times stronger than non-strengthened glass, but is not classified as safety due to its large-shard break pattern.

Tempering toughens the glass and hardens its surface. It begins with standard non-safety architectural glass, also known as “annealed” glass, which is cut-to-size, fabricated to specification (polished edges, holes, notches, etc.), and carefully cleaned. The glass is then transferred to the tempering furnace and heated until it reaches its softening point, at approximately 1,200° F (680° C). At this critical moment, it is moved to the “quench” area and rapidly cooled by air jets. The quench process cools the outer surface of the glass more quickly than the center. The result is a center in tension and outer surfaces in compression, giving the glass its added strength. High air pressure is used to “quench” tempered (safety) glass, making it four times stronger. Lower air pressure is used for heat-strengthened (non-safety) glass, making it two times stronger.

Glass cannot be further processed (trimmed, polished, drilled, etc.) after it has been tempered, because it will shatter.

Bendheim tempered architectural glass meets the safety requirements for ANSI Z97.1 and the Consumer Product Safety Commission Standard 16 CFR 1201.

Manufacturing Tolerances: 

• Glass Thickness = 5/32″ (4 mm) to 1” (24 mm)
• Typical Max. Sizes = 69″ x 145″ (1.8 m x 3.7 m); Larger sizes available by special order
• Min. Size = 9″ (230 mm) min. diagonal dimension
• Min. Diameter of Holes = 1/4″ (6 mm) or the glass thickness, whichever is greater

Our newest lamination line can produce a virtually unlimited range of decorative architectural glass, featuring: colors, metals, wood veneers, fabrics, printed interlayers, and more.

Laminated glass is a combination of two or more glass pieces permanently bonded together under controlled heat and pressure with a PVB or EVA interlayer, or cured resin. In the case of breakage, the interlayer holds the pieces together, preventing the glass from falling out and breaking into large, sharp shards. Laminated glass offers superior safety, security, and, improved sound transmission control.

Bendheim’s multiple lamination lines offer a breath of safety glass products – from large-format architectural glass to one-of-a-kind mouth-blown art glass panes. Tempering + lamination is also available for special applications, such as overhead / suspended applications.

Bendheim laminated architectural glass meets the safety requirements for ANSI Z97.1 and the Consumer Product Safety Commission Standard 16 CFR 1201.

Manufacturing Tolerances: 

• Typical Max. Size = 72″ x 130″ (1.8 m x 3.3 m); Larger sizes available by special order

We produce the finest quality back-painted architectural glass, based on third party testing, manufacturing technology, availability, and customer feedback.

Bendheim’s back-painting technology combines best-in-industry, independently-tested paint formulations, extra-durable oven-baked colors, and precision color matching using a spectrometer. Our water-based, isocyanate-free color coatings produce an eco-friendly, VOC-free product for improved indoor air quality. We also offer the widest variety of low-iron (ultra-clear) glass options, including etched, patterned, and textured glass. Colors are virtually unlimited, including metallics. Applications include wall cladding, elevator interiors, backsplashes, and counter tops.

Our back-painted glass can be tempered or laminated for projects requiring the use of safety glass.

Manufacturing Tolerances: 

• Typical Max. Size = 60″ x 120″ (1.5 m x 3 m); Larger sizes available by special order

Bendheim’s polishers and CNC machine allow us to supply cut-to-size architectural glass with a variety of jewel-like polished glass edges (note that the standard finish on the interior of notches and other cut-outs is a smooth “frosted” finish).

Manufacturing Tolerances: 

• Cutting Tolerances for 1/8″ (3 mm) – 1/4″ (6 mm) thick glass = +/-1/16″ (+/-1.5 mm)
• Cutting Tolerances for 3/8″ (10 mm) – 3/4″ (19 mm) thick glass = +/-1/8″ (+/-3 mm)
• Min. Thickness for Polishing = 5/32″ (4 mm)
• Min. Size for Polishing = 2.5″ x 2.5″ (65 mm x 65 mm)
• Min. Width / Height Ratio for Polishing = 1 / 10

Our large capacity water-jet and CNC machines produce glass with extremely complex shapes, cutouts, engraving, and V-grooving, including logos, numbers, and text.

Equipped with a dynamic cutting head, our water-jet allows precision-cutting of curves and corners at any the glass thickness. In addition to glass, the water jet cuts metal, stone, and composite materials, allowing us to offer a wide variety of cut-to-size decorative laminated glass.

Our CNC capabilities include cutting, polishing, engraving, and V-grooving glass. Engraving can be used to transfer names, shapes, and custom designs onto glass. V-grooves can create one-of-a-kind designs in glass, and can be specified with either polished or satin-smooth finish. Bendheim can V-groove its back-painted and mirrored glass wall-cladding to recreate the aesthetic of subway tiles in an exceptionally maintenance-friendly, grout-free style.

Custom-shape templates can be provided by the customer in electronic format (AutoCAD DXF).

Manufacturing Tolerances: 

• Pattern / Shape Cutting Tolerances = +/-1/8″ (+/-3 mm)
• Min. Radius Size on Cut-Outs & Corners ≥ Glass Thickness
• Max. Size for CNC = 50″ x 110″ (1.3 m x 2.8 m); Larger sizes available by special order
• Min. Size for CNC = 24″ x 24″ (0.6 m x 0.6 m)
• Min. Thickness for V-Grooving = 1/4″ (6 mm)