Case Study:

Frameless Glass Arched Door in St James’s Church, Muthill

Background of the Project:

Members of the church approached Precision Glass directly to discuss their proposed frameless glass arched door project and to obtain a quotation. The project formed part of the wider renovation works being undertaken in preparation for the church’s 200th birthday.

The aim of the frameless glass arched door was to create a warmer and more inviting entrance, helping to make the church feel more welcoming while retaining the character of the existing building. The frameless glass arched door was designed to complement the wider renovation works, providing a clear and open entrance while helping to reduce draughts.

Brief:

The church wanted a modern, safe and compliant entrance that would reduce draughts while remaining sympathetic to the existing building.

The new frameless glass arched door was positioned within the existing porch so that it provided the required functional improvement without detracting from the original external appearance of the church.

The project also had a fixed completion requirement, with the new doors needing to be installed in time for the church’s 200th anniversary celebrations.

Specification:

• Frameless glass arched door shaped to suit the existing opening, manufactured from 10mm clear toughened safety glass with polished edges all around
• Recessed door closer with offset patch fittings
• Hydraulic door control for ease of opening, hold-open position and controlled closing
• Perimeter edge seals to help reduce draughts
• Bespoke vinyl manifestation
• Bespoke top bracket for the offset patch fitting

Project Timeline:

• Initial enquiry and quotation
• Digital laser survey of the existing opening
• Detailed design and technical detailing
• Client drawing review and approval
• Manufacture of bespoke glass, fittings and manifestation once approved on a 4-6 week leadtime
• Installation ahead of the church’s 200th anniversary celebrations

Design Considerations:

• Matching the shape of the existing arched opening
• Accurate perimeter sealing to help prevent draughts and weather ingress
• Maintaining the original external appearance of the church
• Maximising the available opening
• Minimising gaps around the door
• Safe and controlled door operation
• Coordination of bespoke fittings with the shaped glass
• Completion within the required timeframe for the anniversary celebrations

Project Details:

Once the order was placed, Precision Glass attended site to meet with the church representatives and discuss the details of the frameless glass arched door project. The requirements were reviewed with the church, with relevant practical considerations explained before the design progressed.

The existing opening was then surveyed using laser scanning equipment. This allowed the exact shape of the opening to be reproduced in CAD and provided the dimensional information required to design the frameless glass arched door, shaped glass and associated fittings to suit the existing structure.

Drawings for the frameless glass arched door were produced and issued to the client for review and approval. The church confirmed the remaining details requiring their input, including the bespoke manifestation design.

Following approval, the glass, bespoke fittings and manifestation for the frameless glass arched door were placed into manufacture, with the remaining components ordered ready for installation. The installation date was then arranged with the client to ensure the new frameless glass arched door was completed in time for the anniversary celebrations.

Challenges & Solutions:

Challenges:

The main challenge was accurately reproducing the existing arched opening. The frameless arched door needed to follow the shape closely enough for the perimeter brush trims to seal against the opening and help prevent draughts and weather ingress.

The shape of the opening also restricted the positioning and operation of the door fittings. The fittings therefore had to be considered alongside the shaped glass to ensure the door could open as intended.

The project also had a defined completion requirement, as the entrance needed to be installed in time for the church’s 200th anniversary celebrations.

Solutions:

The existing opening was laser scanned and reproduced accurately in CAD, providing the basis for the shaped glass design. This allowed the arch to be produced to the required dimensional accuracy and helped maintain the intended seal around the perimeter.

A bespoke top bracket was manufactured for the offset patch fitting to accommodate the geometry of the opening and allow the door to operate correctly.

The glass and fittings were coordinated through the design and manufacturing stages, with the door, bespoke fittings and manifestation produced following client approval. Installation was then scheduled to meet the required anniversary deadline.

Conclusion

The completed frameless glass arched door achieved the church’s requirements and followed the original design intent.

The arched shaped glass entrance provides a more welcoming internal arrival while helping to reduce draughts and allowing the existing outer door to remain open. The door was designed around the existing opening, with the shaped glass, perimeter sealing and bespoke fittings coordinated to suit the geometry of the porch.

The installation was completed in time for the church’s 200th anniversary celebrations, and the clients were thrilled with the finished result.