SECTION 3

CUSTOM TAPESTRY GEOMETRIC & ART PATTERNS

The TAPESTRY process has been adapted, through the use of hand-cut, computer cut, or press mold masking screens, to provide a series of uniform rows or blocks of dot, hole, line, lozenge, or other geometric shapes etched into the surface of float glass substrates.

The depth of etching can be varied from 0.10 through 0.45mm (up to 1/64") to produce a relief effect, or textured surface, which can be arranged to offer partial vision or complete obscuration (by treating the opposite surface with a uniform TAPESTRY finish). The same or different patterns can be applied to both surfaces of a monolithic float substrate to provide complete or partial privacy. If a laminated glass is chosen, TAPESTRY finishes should always be applied to the exposed (#1 and/or #4 surfaces), not to the surfaces adjacent to the interlayer, where they would virtually disappear.

A number of manufacturing restrictions may limit the dot, line or other detail size, or the size of area on each lite which may be covered. For example, no dot or line, or the space between should be less than 3mm (1/8"); the maximum area to be covered by a block of patterns of 0.45mm depth will vary with the thickness of the glass substrate. Other size restrictions may apply, as well as tolerances for alignment of blocks of patterns within the lite of glass to be treated. FIGLA welcomes job related inquiries from customers and architects; on receipt of design sketches, approximate sizes and quantities, together with any relevant performance requirements, e.g. load factors, safety needs, etc, FIGLA will prepare a feasibility study with technical recommendations and budget estimates. If the proposal is acceptable, FIGAL expects that its recommendations will be formalized by the architect/designer into a written, proprietary specification for bidding. A nominal charge is made for custom samples, which will be reimbursed when a purchase order follows.

FIGLA has on staff artists in hand carving on glass, who can reproduce photographic images of landscapes, people, or virtually any scene. The TAPESTRY process is often used to provide a background or outline or picture-frame the chosen images.

Maintenance procedures for patterned or artistic TAPESTRY application are available upon request.