How do I move a 4 x 8 ft. sheet of glass 1,300 miles in a standard moving van?

Upright? Flat? How do I protect the glass from breaking?

13 Comments

NoName
on February 8th, 2012

Wrapped in a blanket between two mattresses laying on the long end. Do not lay it flat.
DawnsAwaken
on February 8th, 2012

between 2 mattresses, i did it from Rapid city SD to Ca and it went great.
Bluberry
on February 8th, 2012

i recommend it to lay flat if you have blankets wrap it up in several layers. if you dont have blankets you can rent form u-haul. you should not transport without heavy padding. if it is upright, the side that is in contact with floor, will have to take the weight of itsself. dont put any thing on top of glass it will break. it should ride ontop of whatever else. secure it to objects it may be on. also remember how it was padded and taped, or tied. open carefully when unloaded, it may break anyway.
CoffeeCup
on February 8th, 2012

Definitely not flat–it has to be standing upright or nearly so. Only other issue is to prevent anything else in van from shifting into it, so attention to how everything nearby is secured is important. Simple 2×4 frame to hold the glass, or some combination of cushions, matresses, etc. will help in securing glass. 4 x 8 is awfully large–and not light, so get lots of help (with gloves for all) to load/unload.
WellBalanced
on February 8th, 2012

Put it between two sheets of cardboard then two pieces of 3/4″ plywood. Use “C” clamps to Hold the plywood tight to the glass. Then stand it on its edge and make sure it won’t shift.
ChickenLicken
on February 8th, 2012

crate it with 1x4s
BlindPoet
on February 8th, 2012

You seem to be in luck with the size as 8 x 4 plywood is easy to buy. I would sandwich it between two 19mm sheets with some extra layers of something soft, maybe carpet offcuts.

Clamp it up tight and transport it lying on its 8 foot edge. The most dangerous time will be loading and unloading, it will be heavy.
Wildthing
on February 8th, 2012

Upright, when possible, is always the least chance for breakage. In between two matresses or moving blankets, is probably the best way to go in your situation.
DarkDesire
on February 8th, 2012

VERY CAREFULLY!
JetSki
on February 8th, 2012

Never store or transport glass laying flat. If you have ever seen a truck transporting glass it is always on edge and clamped down with padded uprights to keep it from vibrating or flexing. You could clamp it between sheets of rigid insulation with 2 by 4s for stiffness. make sure it’s supported evenly along the bottom edge
Eli
on February 8th, 2012

bubble wrap the glass
2 options:if you lay the glass flat you will need to pad the underside out and cornors especially and stop it from moving.
if you have it upright carry out top options and secure tightly watch the cornors of the glass. how thick is the glass?
bubble wrap has worked for me in the past, it’s a chance you take for that distance.
John Costello
on August 3rd, 2010

Jetski (ab0ve) has the right idea. Also read:http://www.ehow.com/how_5896936_move-glass-sheet.html

ou don’t want to load or offload any glass that might be cracked. Visit a commercial glass business in your area. I’m sure the owner or some of the associates would gladly advise you.Ask them about ways to cushion and support the sheet. These people routinely move large glass sheets and having them break in the process doesn’t pay the bills. Drive carefully avoiding sharp turns at high speeds and any bumps (e.g., potholes, Railroad tracks, etc.). Good luck.
WaveRunner
on September 11th, 2011

Given the nature or my work I am constantly packing glass for trips like that and worse. I pack the glass inside of a 2×2 or 2×3 and plywood crate with rigid foam on the edges and packing foam protecting the face. Make sure the crate is snug enough not to allow any movement and stand it up on edge. Secure it in the van with ratchet straps or the like to make sure it goes nowhere. Laying it flat could cause the vibrations to break the glass.

The mattress solution suggested most likely would not work given the size of your glass. And do not use C clamps. They can cause stress on a single point in the glass.