Oversize glazing
From anti-reflection to color tints, modern glass enhances design in many ways.
Whatever the construction challenge, we have the glass to help meet it.
See how the correct choice of glass can help transform a home – and even our wellbeing.
What modern glass can do
How and where glass is used
How glass is made and what it offers
Curved glass contributes to harmony between Victorian and contemporary design
Creating a bright, welcoming and energy-efficient environment for patients and visitors
Floor to ceiling windows provide light, transparency and sweeping views of Central Park
Explore Guardian Glass projects in your area and beyond with Google Street View and be inspired by the possibilities.
Discover our showcase projects, captured through the lens of professional photography.
Search and filter through our wide range of products
See where you can buy Guardian Glass products near you
Become part of our network of professionals
Navigate our architectural glass range and filter options based on product performance and aesthetics.
Just as we were in 1932, we're ready to meet the challenges of now and the future
Find out more about how glass can support sustainable design
We strive for quality in everything we do
Access our comprehensive suite of engineering and analytical tools
Evaluate the aesthetic properties of glass make-ups
Download and use our standardized Guardian BIM content to create project specific BIM files
For anyone who is interested in learning more about glass and its use
- Glass guide
- Build with glass
- Applications of glass
- Glass for facades
- Oversize glazing
Oversized architectural glazing
Jumbo glass for uninterrupted views
What is jumbo glass?
Jumbo glass refers to oversized architectural glass that exceeds standard dimensions to meet the demands of modern large-scale construction. Typically measuring 130’’ in width and minimum 204 inches in length, jumbo glass enables expansive, seamless facades with fewer frames and unobstructed views. Architects specify jumbo glass to create bold designs, maximize natural light, and foster transparent, open spaces in both commercial and residential buildings.
What are the benefits of jumbo glass?
Using jumbo glass can transform both the aesthetic of a building and its occupants' experience.
Daylighting and unobstructed views
With its large surface area, jumbo glass maximizes the amount of natural light entering a building, helping to create bright, welcoming interiors, and to reduce reliance on artificial lighting. The reduction of framing and joints allows for expansive, uninterrupted views, helping to enhance occupants’ well-being by fostering a strong visual connection to the outdoors and a sense of openness.
Aesthetics
Jumbo glass enables sleek, modern façades with a seamless, transparent appearance that accentuates architectural expression. Its impressive scale supports bold design statements and fosters open, inviting spaces.
Energy efficiency
When combined with high performance low-E coatings, jumbo glass delivers excellent thermal performance and solar control. This can help regulate indoor temperatures, improve comfort, and reduce heating and cooling demands — all while maintaining high levels of transparency and natural light.
Optimized fabrication yields
Using jumbo glass may allow glass fabricators optimize cutting layouts compared to standard split sizes, helping to improve yield when producing large insulating glass units (IGUs).
Where is jumbo glass used?
Oversized glazing is specified across a wide range of architectural applications where scale, transparency and visual impact are paramount. In retail environments, large commercial storefronts, jumbo glass can create expansive, unobstructed views into the interior, showcasing products and inviting customers inside. Restaurants and hotels may use large glass facades to deliver a strong first impression, creating bright, welcoming spaces. Jumbo glass is also well suited for gathering areas in office buildings, schools, and public facilities, where generous natural light and seamless views can help foster well-being and a strong connection to the outdoors. Overall, jumbo glass is a smart choice for modern architecture that prioritizes openness, aesthetics and user experience.
What challenges should be considered with jumbo glass?
While jumbo glass offers significant advantages, its use also presents challenges that require careful planning and expert guidance.
Structural integrity and load management
Oversized glass panels are subject to substantial forces — from their own weight to external loads such as wind pressure. Without proper design, these forces may lead to deflection, distortion, or even glass breakage. A robust support system is essential to ensure structural stability and maintain the integrity of the glazing.
Thermal stress
Large glass panels, especially those with tinted or high solar-absorptance coatings —are prone to thermal stress. Temperature variations across the panel surface may lead to cracking or failure. Conducting a comprehensive thermal stress analysis that considers factors such as shading, frame type, and glazing location is essential to help mitigate these risks.
Manufacturing, handling and installation complexity
Producing jumbo glass requires specialized equipment and expertise to meet quality standards. Processes like bending, tempering, or coating must be precisely controlled to preserve the glass’ mechanical and optical properties. Additionally, transporting, handling, and installing large panels involve significant logistical planning and skilled execution to help avoid damage and ensure proper installation.
👉 Expert tip:
“By proactively addressing these challenges through thoughtful design, expert manufacturing, and adherence to industry standards, architects and builders can successfully incorporate oversized glazing into their projects while achieving safety, performance, and aesthetic objectives. Guardian Glass’s technical team is available to support your project with static load calculations and thermal stress analyses.”
What is the difference between jumbo glass and standard glass?
The primary distinction between jumbo glass and standard glass is size. Thanks to specialized production lines, handling systems, and transportation equipment, jumbo glass can be processed similarly to smaller glazing. However, its larger scale demands technical expertise and meticulous planning to ensure proper specification—such as selecting the appropriate thickness and managing thermal stress—consistent processing quality, especially during heat treatment or bending, and accurate installation. This combination of scale and specialized know-how enables jumbo glass to deliver enhanced performance and aesthetics on a grander scale.
What sizes and products are available in jumbo glass?
Guardian jumbo glass measures 130 × 204 inches, while super jumbo glass extends even further to 130 × 240 inches, enabling expansive glazed areas with minimal visual interruptions.
A variety of thicknesses are available to help meet structural and design needs, including 6 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm, with 12 mm offered upon request. These oversized formats are available across a broad portfolio of Guardian SunGuard™ low-E coated glass solutions, as well as on Guardian clear, Guardian CrystalClear™, and Guardian UltraClear™ low-iron glass substrates.
This versatility allows architects and designers to combine large-scale glazing with advanced solar control and thermal insulation, delivering both striking aesthetics and enhanced energy efficiency for modern building façades.
Our jumbo glass solutions
Placeholder
Add more products here
Add more products here
Your search has taken you to Guardian's regional site. Products and services tend to differ from region to region (this may suit your needs if you are looking for glass in another area of the world). However, your local Guardian business is identified as being Guardian's regional site, if this is incorrect you can change your regional website settings here.