A clear glass enquiry reduces revision cycles, prevents incompatible assumptions and makes quotations easier to compare. The strongest specifications describe the application and performance intent before listing a preferred make-up.

1. Define the application and support system

State whether the glass will be used in a façade, window, door, partition, balustrade, stair, canopy, roof, floor, appliance or industrial installation. Include how the panel is supported: framed on four sides, point fixed, clamped, bonded, suspended or supported along selected edges.

Support conditions influence edge clearances, hole positions, local stresses, tolerances and post-breakage behaviour. A glass description without the framing or hardware context is rarely enough for a final proposal.

2. Supply controlled drawings and dimensions

• Finished width and height for every panel type.
• Thickness or proposed glass make-up.
• Hole diameters, countersinks, notches, cut-outs and corner radii.
• Edge finish and any exposed or concealed edges.
• Curvature, radius, chord, arc, rise and orientation for bent glass.
• Coating, frit, pattern or interlayer orientation viewed from the specified side.

Use one dimension unit consistently and identify the drawing revision. Where templates are required, agree the accepted file format and dimensional control points before production.

3. State performance and compliance requirements

List the applicable project standard and any required test reports or certificates. Depending on the project, relevant topics can include safety impact, wind load, barrier loading, thermal performance, acoustic performance, solar control, fire resistance, security, visual quality and spontaneous-breakage risk.

Avoid copying a make-up from an unrelated project without checking the loads, panel size and support arrangement. When an engineer or façade consultant is involved, identify who is responsible for final make-up approval.

4. Define appearance expectations

Confirm substrate colour, tint, coating, reflectance, ceramic frit, printed pattern, interlayer colour and acceptable viewing conditions. For coated, heat-treated, laminated and curved products, samples can help align expectations, but a small sample cannot reproduce every optical effect of a full-size installed panel.

5. Add the information needed for export supply

Pre-quotation checklist

• Application and support system described
• Current drawings attached
• Dimensions and quantities listed
• Required standard identified
• Performance targets stated
• Appearance and coating orientation confirmed
• Packing and destination provided
• Approval responsibility identified