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.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Performance in Corner Glass Windows

When it comes to corner glass windows, energy efficiency matters just as much as the view. You want all that natural light flooding in without turning your space into a freezer in winter, or an oven in summer. The Invisio Structural Glazing System tackles this head-on; it’s the UK’s only fully tested glazing setup with a thermal break built in, designed to keep indoor comfort steady and heat loss in check through your frameless glass corner.

It delivers Uw values of 1.1 to 1.2 W/m²K, which means it’s seriously good at stopping heat from escaping:

• Polyamide Thermal Breaks

  These act like a shield, blocking heat from slipping through and keeping insulation levels high.
  
  

• Insulated Glass Units (IGUs)

  With Low-E coatings and argon gas tucked inside, they boost efficiency while sticking to that clean, frameless glass corner look.
  
  

• Solar Control Glass

  Perfect for south-facing spots, this option cuts down glare and keeps temperatures manageable.
  
  

Together, these keep your space just right, cutting down on how much you lean on heating or cooling; and that’s money saved over time.

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. 

Security and Strength in Frameless Glass Corners

Corner glass windows aren’t just there to look good; they need to hold up and keep you safe. Our Invisio system is engineered to handle tough weather and still stand firm, giving you peace of mind alongside those uninterrupted views through your frameless glass corner:

• Laminated Glass

  Built with security layers, it’s harder to break and a real deterrent for anyone trying to get in.
  
  

• Structural Silicone Bonding

  High-strength silicone locks those big glass panels in place, no framework needed for your frameless glass corner.
  
  

• Wind Load Resilience

  Tested at 0.8 kN and 1.6 kN, it’s ready for blustery spots without budging.
  
  

• Stepped Glass Joints

  These tie the panels together tightly, adding strength and keeping the elements out.
  
  

This setup stands up to storms and impacts, ensuring your frameless glass corners stay secure and stable for years.

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. 

Custom Options for Tailored Corner Glass Designs

Every project is different, and corner glass windows need to fit the vision; both in terms of looks, and how they’ll actually handle the environment. The Invisio system gives you room to play, letting architects tweak things to match the build’s needs with a custom frameless glass corner:

• Glass Coatings

  Pick Low-E for warmth, solar control for heat, or acoustic layers to hush outside noise.
  
  

• Thickness and Toughness

  It handles double-glazed units up to 41.5mm, with laminated layers for extra strength if needed.
  
  

• Bonding Choices

  Go vertical or horizontal for full-height glass, or use stepped designs to hide fixings and sharpen the aesthetic of your frameless glass corner.
  
  

• Drainage Details

  The Drain 61 system (an optional specification) keeps water from pooling, with black or silver anodised finishes for a stylish touch.
  
  

These tweaks let you shape glass-to-glass corners for anything; think standout residential windows or bold commercial façades with a frameless glass corner.

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. 

Looking After Frameless Corner Glass Windows

To keep those glass-to-glass corners pristine, a bit of regular care goes a long way. It’s about maintaining the look and the performance over time for your frameless glass corner.

Cleaning Tips

• Use a soft glass cleaner (nothing abrasive) to avoid scratches.
  
  
• For big frameless setups, a long-reach squeegee or pro tools make it easier.
  
  
• Steer clear of pressure washers; they can stress the silicone joints.

Keeping Water and Dirt at Bay

• Check the Drain 61 system now and then to stop blockages; water shouldn’t pool at the base.
  
  
• The anodised finish fights corrosion, but a quick clean keeps it looking good.
  
  

Strength Checks

• Take a look at the laminated edges once a year, especially in damp spots, to catch any layering issues early.
  
  
• Make sure the silicone bonding is still solid; it’s key for weatherproofing and keeping things steady.
  
  

With these steps, your frameless glass corner will stay sharp, strong, and working well for the long term.

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