Category: Interior Design

Transparent glass is often utilized for its sophistication and contemporary style in interior design. Although it can be a trendy addition, it is also used to impart a sense of openness in spaces that appear undefined. Without dulling natural light, glass helps to create division and foster separation without being completely closed off from its exterior.

To convey more style and offer a unique element of modern elegance to a room, interior designs have begun incorporating painted glass. Glass adds sophistication. When painted, a unique colour offers versatility. Any colour can be achieved to add exceptional style to any room or design.

There are many ways painted glass is incorporated into designs. Are you intrigued by the bright colours and originality of this decorative addition? Below are some of the diverse ways painted glass is used.

What is back-painted glass?

Before we begin divulging in the different uses of back-painted glass, it’s also important to highlight what it is. The name is quite self-explanatory, but underlining its nature is fundamental. Back-painted glass is glass that is painted from the backside, revealing a non-translucent front side. Instead of being transparent glass, you get a solid block of coloured glass. The back-painted glass comes in vivid colours and is often used as accent walls, partitions, and doorways.

1. Accent wall

The purpose of accent walls is to create a focal point as it encourages individuals to direct their attention to certain areas of a room. For this reason, back-painted glass is used to highlight or accentuate particular elements in a space. Due to its ability to be customized, back-painted glass is a high-profile accent item. It’s used in both residential and commercial settings.

In commercial offices, back-painted glass is often used in open areas where it’s the most discernible. Corridors or hallways are often accented with back-painted walls. Particularly though, reception areas are decorated with these glasses.

It’s generally the wall behind reception desks that are replaced with back-painted glass. Here, it is strategically used to focus the attention of patrons, or those entering the office to this area.

Additionally, back-painted glass is utilized to add character and personality. In many instances, particular brand colours are used to show originality. It makes your brand immediately distinguishable amongst patrons, as well as keep your brand and its values alive for its workers. Using specific colours in the back-painted glass helps to emit positive emotions, and keep tenets consistent.

2. Built-in front desk accents

Aside from replacing walls behind reception desks, back-painted glass can also be used as panels on the front of reception desks. Much like accent walls, they can help to draw attention to this area, highlighting its importance. Choosing to add this design element to your front desk can be a great alternative to an accent wall, as it offers the same advantages.

3. Office cabinet doors

In workplaces, storage is necessary. Without it, papers, documents, office supplies, and other items would be all over the place. There would be clutter due to disorganization and things not being in proper places. Areas such as lunchrooms, personal offices, photocopy rooms, and other spaces all require adequate storage.

Replacing basic office cabinet doors with back-painted glass doors adds character to these rooms. It not only conceals items but operates as an eye-catching design element. Enhancing these areas with this feature can improve how they are received by office personnel.

4. Partition

In-office settings, creating customized work areas is often necessary. Doing so helps to create separation and designated spaces for specific tasks. Boardrooms, individual offices, quiet workspaces, and other rooms are constructed to improve work efficiency. Commonly, transparent glass partition walls are used as dividers. They offer separation and privacy without completely segregating office personnel. The transparency of glass partitions provides a sense of openness.

Alternatively, back-painted glass walls are being used in commercial settings. Although opaque, they offer a unique sense of separation. Back-painted glass walls offer dual advantages. They create division while also complimenting office décor. For office managers seeking to elevate the appearance of their workspace, these glass walls are quite aesthetically pleasing.

5. Glass dry-erase boards

In commercial office settings, markerboards are commonly used for collaboration. Traditionally white dry-erase boards are used to jot down information during meetings. Information is generally marked down on these boards for everyone to see. It’s done to organize thoughts and generate creativity amongst colleagues.

However, using a back-painted glass wall in replacement of traditional markerboards is a very stylistic alternative. It offers functionality while also acting as an attractive visual piece. In some instances, whiteboards can be an eye-sore in a modernly designed office. Incorporating a back-painted glass for this purpose can be a great contemporary alternative to a whiteboard.

6. Coloured glass conference table

Sometimes, back-painted glass is used as a conference table. Instead of using traditional wooden desks, a coloured glass table is incorporated. It offers a fresh pop of colour to a mundane setting. Choosing the right colour can help to foster joyful emotions, which can help to encourage positive collaboration.

According to Entrepreneur.com, studies have indicated that specific colours in the office foster beneficial results. Dark colours have been identified as hues that induce feelings of sadness. Bright colours not only stir feelings of happiness, but also improve productivity and the willingness to create. Choosing the right colour for your glass table can help fuel collaboration.

The integration of glass accents in commercial spaces is becoming increasingly popular. It offers a modern element that is highly recognizable and appealing to patrons. They can be used to provide a focal point and command attention to a particular area.

To learn more about the uses of back-painted glass in interior design, contact Glass Showers & More at 416-800-1156, or contact us here.

Depending on the environment, there can be a lot of different noises in an office. Phones ringing, people chatting, workers typing on their computers, or loud commotions outside all contribute to noise. These sounds can make working challenging, especially when collaboration is necessary.

Office partitions are a great way to add division and separation in the office. They are ideal for creating a designated workspace. Whether temporary or permanent, these partitions help to build an area that is conducive to productivity. It helps to silence external noises, offering a space that is suitable for meetings, quiet work areas, or spaces where employees can recharge.

Are you interested in utilizing partitions in your office? Below is an overview of the different styles of partitions available and how you can choose the right one for your work area.

1. Wood partition

As with any other type of divider, wood partitions have their advantages. They’re a good option for those seeking complete privacy, as the dividers can conceal the contents of each room entirely.

For many, this type of partition is aesthetically appealing as it offers a very conservative appearance to any office space. Some offices use these barriers to build boardrooms and other related areas that require minimal noise and privacy.

Although wood offers a natural aesthetic, the concern that arises with its use in offices is its fire-resistant properties. In this case, wood is often combined with other elements to improve its response to fire.

2. Aluminum partition

Aluminum partitions or aluminum frames are also often used in offices. These dividers — often combined with glass — offer a reliable solution for separation in your workplace. They are available as a solid structure, foldable, or modular partitions that are very convenient for a growing business.

Much like the wooden walls, aluminum partitions also provide appropriate sound protection. They are successful in keeping sounds out and maintaining privacy. Many office managers choose this option because of the pleasant aesthetic, the variation in styles, and available designs.

3. Glass partition

Glass partition walls are commonly used in many offices. Similar to aluminum frames, they are highly customizable. Frosted glass, prints, and even special paint can be used to modify its appearance to match your branding.

These transparent partitions create a sleek and up-to-date look in offices that is quite distinguishable. The glass makes them airy and so great in an open-concept space. The openness it affords encourages a natural flow of light, limiting the need for additional lighting in separated areas.

Without frames, glass partition walls make a great impression and are generally well-received by clients.

Choosing the Right Partition Walls

As business needs change exponentially, opting for partition walls has proven to be the most cost-effective decision. These partitions can be quickly erected and uninstalled as requirements shift. Therefore, individual rooms and spaces can be constructed to support the growing needs within the office. However, before choosing a partition wall understanding, the advantages of each partition can help guide your decision.

1. Aesthetics

Without a doubt, one of the primary concerns when choosing a partition wall is its visual appeal. This factor is important because aesthetics are part of branding your business. A professional and appealing office gives a great first and lasting impression on clients. Paying attention to how each partition can improve or elevate the look of your office is crucial.

Questions to consider include: Are you seeking traditional or a more stylistic aesthetic? Or, are you considering a more exposed, and spacious office concept? For a conventional and compartmentalized office space, wood is suitable. Aluminum, but more so glass, is more contemporary, offering a more open appeal.

2. Flexibility

Wood partitions are far more robust than aluminum or glass partitions. The density of these dividers makes them more suitable for permanent solutions as they are less mobile. Relocating or repositioning these walls to suit organizational needs as required can pose a problem.

Glass partition walls or aluminum offer more flexibility as they can be easily taken apart to accommodate shifting needs. They can be dismantled to develop new spaces and create an area that is better suited for productivity in your office.

3. Economical value

Partition walls are very cost-effective. Their economic value, practicality, and portability make them suitable for restructuring a workplace. As emphasized, it is their mobility and cost savings that makes them so ideal for office reconstruction.

With partitions, new spaces can be created without breaking down existing walls or shutting down the office for lengthy periods. Instead, they can be erected in just a few hours, saving time and minimizing the financial impact on your business.

4. Privacy

Before choosing a partition, consider visibility. Some offices prefer having the utmost privacy when in some regions of the office. For this reason, you may consider partitions that provide more concealment.

Solid wood partitions, aluminum walls with integral blinds, or a glass partition with frosted glass may be chosen. However, it is based on your preferences and the level of privacy you are seeking to obtain.

The business world is in constant flux. Businesses must adapt quickly to shifting circumstances. Partition walls offer expediency as they yield immediate results that respond to changing office specifications. With the addition of these walls, you can change the dynamics of your office instantaneously.

To learn more about how to choose the right partitions for your workspace, call Glass Showers & More at 416-800-1156, or contact us here.

Although glass homes have an ultra-modern, trendy look that is pointedly futuristic, the emergence of glasshouse design is older than you think. The use of architectural glass as a major element in home design dates back to the late 1940s when the Harvard Five, a group of American architects, was influenced by the Bauhaus movement started by Walter Gropius. The use of glass in homes today is growing in popularity as people long to be closer to nature and the calming green it offers. Add to that the hunger for natural light and, suddenly, architectural glass is a highly desirable design feature. As a result, many structures are influenced by the mid-century glass home, adding new elements that mark millennial architecture design. Here, we take a look at extreme glass home designs spanning many decades.

The Glass House

This simple home disappears into the landscape of its 47-acre site located in New Canaan, Connecticut. Designed and lived in by one of the Harvard Five, Philip Johnson, his first work represents the stunning legacy left behind by the architect. The house is now a heritage site, known as the Glass House. His minimal use of materials prominently features glass with a simple rectangular design that depends on the surrounding nature to create its impact.

Kekkilä Green Shed

Collaborators Linda Bergroth and Ville Hara designed this lovely little bedroom in the woods, giving it the appearance of a glass garden shed/greenhouse. The Kekkilä Green Shed is a meagre 4 square meters and works beautifully when plunked on the edge of a picturesque lake surrounded by nature. It’s the ideal retreat house, but can be used for many different purposes from an actual greenhouse or shed to an inspirational office for a fiction writer.

The Tea House

Architect David Jameson designed the Tea House as a backyard retreat used for entertaining, meditating, and other family activities. With glass walls on all sides and sitting atop a platform, it gives the illusion that it’s floating. Jameson combines glass with steel construction beams and beautiful wood that gives it a meditative Japanese pagoda feel. Tea house designs are popular, and Swatt Miers Architects have created their own take on the design using a combination of glass and concrete for a more industrial, grounded look. Once again, the glass construction allows these small buildings to blend in with nature to create a surreal, peaceful sense of serenity from within and without.

Tree in the House

Life-sustaining trees are featured prominently in the design of this “inverted” treehouse. Designed by A. Masow Architects, the structure wraps itself around a tree, offering a 360-degree view of the serene forest. The cylinder of the structure encloses a tree completely, creating a glass envelope that brings nature into the home. Almost entirely made of glass, all but the bare minimum of additional materials are used to make the building structurally sound.

Las Rozas

This Spanish home takes full advantage of its views from a slope in Las Rozas. The addition of balconies allows the homeowners to make the most of this secret pavilion retreat built into the hills to keep it private and peaceful. The modern design by Penelas Architects uses slightly different shapes and angles, depending on the glass walls and the surrounding forest, to add interest and create the feeling of spaciousness.

Glass Mountain Retreat

This home designed by Studio Santambrogiomilano is almost entirely made of glass, roof to floor and stairs to walls, creating a stunning crystal cube in the heart of the snowy mountains. Almost completely transparent, the gleam of the glass can be made opaque with the touch of a button, which turns the crystal-clear walls into a matt finish for privacy—not that it’s needed in this remote setting.

Poolside Pavilion

Set on an ultra-modern industrial concrete pad, this poolside pavilion’s minimalist design is the brainchild of Studio Dejaeghere. Located in Belgium, the glass walls and thin concrete roof create the ideal spot for a summer living room. The contemporary space provides an addition to the existing home, which is perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and poolside drinks.

California Dreaming

This showstopper home located in Santa Barbara, California was designed by Steve Hermann Architects. The illusion that the rooms are hovering between the roof and floor create a futuristic vision that is both elegant and dreamlike. Using a platform, the glass home design allows the homeowners to enjoy outdoor living, without losing the feeling of being one with nature when you are sitting deeper in the home. The results are stunning, with the modern white lines framing the floating interior like a piece of art.

The Sliding House

This interesting design allows the owners to slide the outer shell over the glasshouse below. Located in Suffolk, England, the designers, dRMM Architects, have divided the structure into three sections consisting of the house itself, the carport, and the annex. Although it’s rather utilitarian in its appearance, the idea that it can be slid out of its frame to create a peaked glass home is intriguing.

Warner House

Also known as the Bridge House, this structure might not be made completely of glass. However, it uses glass to create a clever architectural feature that spans the brook and waterfall over which it was built. Architect John Johansen, another member of the Harvard Five, took advantage of the building site, using the glass bridge and its curved roof to create an unusual feature to embrace the home’s peaceful setting.

The Division Knoll Residence

This glass home has design features including a curving copper roof and glass walls to maximize the mountain and ocean views. It incorporates copper and wood to make it more architecturally interesting. Designed by Sagan Piechota Architecture, the home is in an idyllic setting in Big Sur, California, overlooking the ocean with mountains as its backdrop.

Finley Beach House

This north Pacific home sits on the outskirts of Oregon’s coastal forest. Designed by Bora Architects, the glass walls combine beautifully with the metal and wood, topped by a green roof inspired by the green of the North Pacific landscape.

These glass home designs offer inspiration for your own customized home. Whether you want to add an entire outer wall of glass, create customized glass walls, floors, staircases, or add glass balustrades, Glass Showers and More can help. Click here to contact us today.

Glass partition walls can completely transform any office space. They are a great way to open up an office space or divide it into two without making an area feel closed off. They are also timelessly classic and chic.

Interested in discovering the benefits? Listed below are the benefits of having glass partition walls installed in your office.

1. More natural light

Have you ever worked in an office filled with dark cubicles with little exposure to natural light? You’re not alone! When it comes to many workplaces, a lack of natural light is a major concern, especially since poor lighting often results in reduced workplace productivity and staff fatigue.

One simple way to improve the health and morale of employees is to manipulate your exposed or existing office layout to optimize the amounts of natural light everyone has access through during the day — and the best way to do this is by adding a glass partition walls! But remember, it is always best to have them professionally installed using the right hardware so that your investment is safe and looks great for years to come.

2. Long-lasting

Glass partitions are a long-term solution to managing how to break up your office space. Apart from being an extremely versatile partitioning option, the material used to install these partitions, on the thickness of the glass used, will withstand the normal wear and tear of everyday office use. As long as nobody developed a habit of constantly touching the glass, they are easy to take care of!

As you don’t have to worry about how long your investment will last, the only thing you will have to do is decide on the type of glass to install in your workplace. There are so many options on the market that can really define the look and feel of your workspace. The glass you choose will also play a role in how to decorate the rest of the space as well.

3. Aesthetic value

No matter what field you are in, it is competitive. More than ever it is becoming important for companies to find ways to establish themselves as unique and highly-valuable players in their field. With this comes the increasing need to win over new clients, and make old clients stick around – which is proving a hard task for some.

While there is only so much you can do on the business side of things, you will be surprised to hear about how important aesthetic value is to clients. They want to feel like they are paying for a certain standard of excellence, as defined by your outward facade.

Undeniably, office glass partitions provide an elegant, beautiful corporate look and feel to the office. They scream prestige. With an almost endless variety of treatments available — like frosting or etching — you can set the tone and create a distinctly modern feel that complements any workplace.

4. Improved productivity

As mentioned above, installing glass partition walls in your office often enhances productivity among staff. While creating a more open and inviting work environment, partition walls create a certain degree of office transparency so that when an employee is not doing their work, it is more than obvious. With the knowledge that they might be under scrutiny, employees carry out work more diligently.

Apart from discouraging laziness, glass panels encourage employee accountability, both of which contribute to improved levels of productivity. The installation of glass office partitions also helps to reduce noise pollution in the office because they are somewhat soundproof, which minimizes distractions and improves productivity.

5. Privacy

One of the most significant barriers for many employers making the choice to go glass is concerns over privacy. How much transparency is too much?

Although it may be hard to believe, installing glass partition walls in your office does not necessarily have to compromise privacy. For cases where privacy is a concern, regular glass can be swapped out for a frosted treatment. This design decision provides the same open feel and provides just as much natural light as any other type of glass, all without compromising office privacy!

6. Flexibility

Making the decision to install glass partition walls in your office is not cheap. However, the biggest financial gain you will gain from installing glass office partitions comes from the amount of flexibility offered in terms of design and layout.

While changing the layout of the room with permanent walls is an unrealistic and costly affair, open-concept spaces allow you a certain degree of flexibility that doesn’t necessarily mean installing cubicles. Compared to any other option, glass partition walls also allow you to change the design for years to come. It is easy to dismount partitions and move them from one place to another, which allows you to create more or less workspace as needed.

Keep in mind that you will likely incur a cost for dismounting and repositioning your glass partitions since you need to call on a professional to help move them.

When choosing to install glass partition walls inside your office, you are making a long-term investment. Make sure you do your research and work with a company that has been around — and will be around — for a long time to help you address any issues that arise in the future. After all, the quality of your purchase depends on the quality of the company selling and installing it.

At Glass Showers and More, we know what you want, and that is a high quality, attractive and functionally useful product. We constantly aim to constantly improve the glass products we manufacture. When you choose our architectural glass products, you are getting the best!

To learn more about how glass partition walls could improve your office, call Glass Showers and More today at 416-491-8815 or contact us here.

Many people love the convenience of showering: it’s quick and it’s easy. However, showering wasn’t always so. For example, many showers were contained in the bathtub unit. For some, climbing into and out of the tub to shower was not only a safety issue, but difficult for those with stiff joints or other impairments. Often, a shower curtain made the enclosure dark and dreary, and there was limited shelving to place soaps and shampoos on. The shower head, placed on the wall, often left the floor drenched, or a person having to squat to get wet. Once the shower stall was created, a glass-etched door, encased in a heavy metal frame, enclosed the small, tiled space creating a claustrophobic, dark room.

The trend today, however, is to create a spacious, bright, and clean look for the shower stall. No longer are people wanting small, ceramic tiles to line the walls, cursing when mold or dirt clings to the grout. Instead, they look for large decorative, groutless tiles to line floors, walls, and even ceilings, creating an open, aesthetically pleasing flow. Most importantly, people are choosing to lose the traditional metal-framed doors and are investing in frameless glass shower doors, allowing for natural light and beautiful design elements to be seen. Best of all, the frameless glass door starts at the floor and works itself up, to adapt to any design element a person chooses.

Pros and Cons of Frameless Shower Enclosures

As mentioned above, the frameless glass shower door and wall panels can be designed to fit any space in any shape imagined. However, as with any product on the market, there are pros and cons with choosing to install a frameless shower enclosure in your home over a more traditional option. The most important thing is knowing the facts, and choosing a product that works for the lifestyle of you and your family!

Cons of Frameless Shower Enclosures

1.  Heavier, but more sturdy materials: The glass used in a frameless shower enclosure is quite thick and unusually heavy and, so, hardware must be stronger and sturdier to not only hold up the thick glass, but to also keep the glass panels in place because, now, there isn’t that thick metal frame to keep it together.

2. The importance of using an installation for frameless shower enclosure systems: Frameless shower enclosures typically lack the rubber and seals that traditional showers have to stop leaks. Also, if the glass is cut ever so slightly off measurement, your bathroom floor risks being ruined by constant puddles. While other shower systems could be installed with some measure of ease by an amateur, you will want a specialist to assist with this procedure to ensure precision when cutting the glass and that your bathroom is constructed properly to stop leaks.

The Pros of Frameless Shower Enclosures

Now that some of the cons of frameless shower enclosures are understood, below are the benefits to installing this system in your home.

Benefit 1: Frameless shower enclosures open up your bathroom space and make it seem larger.

Benefit 2: Frameless shower enclosures allow you, the homeowner, to customize the look of your bathroom and better create an entirely unique and aesthetic space to enjoy.

Benefit 3: Frameless shower enclosures are much easier to keep clean than traditional shower systems. They will save you valuable time that could be spent with your family and doing the things you love.

Let us expand on these points:

Frameless shower doors offer a minimalist, elegant, and sleek design that mimics an upscale look that more and more homeowners are desiring for their bathrooms. These and the following pro’s will help you decide if this style is the right one for you. Frameless shower doors guarantee the look of having more space. The lack of heavy metal lines framing the glass into place allows a person to feel that the room is bigger, even when it isn’t. The glass panels and clear door is just cleaner. Better yet, if you have added intricate or unique tiles, faucets, showerheads, and the like, your shower stall can become the much appreciated focal point of the bathroom. Another great feature is that you can customize your glass stall. This means that your design can be as big or small as you like. Having a cylinder, square, or rectangle isn’t a problem. You can start the glass at floor level or create a foundation and build from there.

While some designers opt for the clear glass doors and panels, you can decide to have them etched with acid. Remember the old shower stalls that had rubber seals to keep leaks at a minimum, but grew mold at a rapid rate? Well, this isn’t a problem with frameless shower doors. In fact, having little hardware also ensures that, if maintained well, there is little chance of corrosion and, so, little probability of having ever to replace your door. As well, a squeegee is a fast, easy, and efficient tool to keep glass looking spotless.

The future of your home, and bathrooms, awaits. With many wonderful design features and options at your fingertips, you can modernize your bathroom to achieve a beautiful, open, and naturally-lit shower stall.

What are you waiting for?

Let our consultants help you design your dream shower! Visit our Frameless Shower section or contact us online for more info or call us today at 416-800-1156!