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Glass is often mistakenly viewed as a highly fragile material with limited uses. However, glass has been used for both decorative and practical purposes since its invention. With advances in technology, glass has become a very popular material in construction, interior design, and furniture. There are now several glass types and treatments available, making it easy to find a suitable type of glass for just about any application. From security to interior design, to UV protection to furnishings, here are the many different glass types and their uses.

Flat Glass

Flat glass is used for windows and glass doors. This glass is used as the base to create many other types of glass and is produced in the float process during the first steps of glass making. It comes in a basic thickness from which it can then undergo additional processing to make it safer and suitable for other uses, such as double-glazing for insulated windows and glass doors. Without further treatments, though, flat glass is fragile and prone to breaking in dangerous, sharp shards. This increases the risk of injury when the glass is broken.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is a popular choice for shower doors, glass furniture, and glass shelves. It’s resistant to shattering due to the special cooling process used to create it. When shattered, the glass crumbles into small, smooth pieces as opposed to dangerous jagged shards. As a result, tempered glass is safer, both during accidents as well as for cleaning up. This type of glass can also be treated with sandblasting and acid etching to create a frosted look for privacy.

Patterned Glass

This glass helps blur the transparency level, making it a good choice for doors and bathroom windows. The glass sheets are heated and then passed through patterned rollers that leave an imprint. It allows light to shine through, but also adds a textured feel to the glass that adds more depth and clarity when compared to the frosted effect of blasting. The transparency and clarity of the glass remain intact, so it has more sparkle and creates an interesting effect when light falls behind it. The level of transparency varies based on the intricacy of the pattern design. Patterns can create different effects such as Jack Frost, trickling water, mottling, swirls, and even the appearance of broken glass. The glass is not only an excellent option for privacy walls and showers, but also creates highly detailed textured glass tables and desks. It can also be used for customized glass door inserts in combination with metals and wood, or it can be inserted on walls as textured glass protection to reduce wear and tear.

Mirrored Glass

Mirrored glass is used for wardrobe doors, bathroom mirrors, and closet doors. It comes in a variety of styles and colours made by applying metal coatings to glass. Common colours include silver, chrome, gold, and aluminum, but other finishes can appear marbled, smokey, and tinged with hints of other metallics. Mirrored glass can also be used as a wall treatment to create a feeling of openness as well as backsplashes in kitchens and bathrooms.

Coated Glass

Coated glass uses include double-glazed windows, as it has been modified to provide insulating qualities as well as to cut down on UV rays. Home windows today are coated, as they help improve energy efficiency. With new thermal windows made of coated glass, you can improve thermal efficiency, which can help reduce energy consumption and the cost of heating and cooling your home.

Tinted Glass

As the name implies, tinted glass contains a tinted glaze consisting of metal oxides. Tinted glass uses include doors and windows to provide privacy while allowing light to shine through. Tinted glass is also used to reduce the glare of the sun, making it a good choice for south-facing rooms, as well as rooms where viewing screens are used. It can reduce UV rays, which means furnishings, curtains, and rugs will not fade, and your family can be protected from the harmful rays of the sun.

Sandblasted Glass

As mentioned above, sandblasting can be applied to glass to provide privacy for areas such as bathrooms or to create a decorative effect. Commonly referred to as frosted glass, it can be used in any number of applications, whether it’s for practical purposes such as privacy in offices, bathrooms, and showers, or as an interior design feature. The glass is blasted at high pressure using an abrasive that leaves behind a frosted appearance. Sandblasting is ideal for larger glass projects, as it is more consistent across larger areas than other techniques such as acid etching.

Acid-Etched Glass

Acid-etched glass uses acid instead of blasting to create customized designs on glass walls and other glass features. It adds privacy with the same look as sandblasted glass, allowing light to filter through. The acid is used to remove the glass surface to create the white tones. Designs can also be created using a non-reactive substance, such as wax. Acid-etched glass is preferable if you are looking for a complex design. It’s less prone to fingerprints when compared to a finish such as sandblasting. As well, it’s often more affordable than sandblasting.

At Glass Showers and More, our team of glass experts can explain the various glass types to help you come up with unique ideas for your home or office. Click here to contact us today.

Decorating your office is important for creating strong first impressions. Whether you are interviewing top talent or entertaining clients, you want your office to make a statement about your success. Decorative glass offers an innovative solution for your interior design. It’s a customized design feature often overlooked despite its ability to create unique, intriguing features. Glass design elements allow you to tap into the latest trends from green terrariums to waterfalls. Whether you want a simple wall protector, partition walls, furniture, or intricate glass etching and sandblasting designs, here are the best uses for decorative glass in your office:

Eco-Friendly Natural Light

Today’s businesses are focused on social consciousness. Using decorative glass in your office allows you to support your commitment to the community by making your operation more energy efficient. Many buildings and offices are using glass walls, ceilings, flooring, and staircases to help harness the natural light coming into the workspace. Replacing solid walls with glass allows you to filter natural light efficiently throughout a workspace, so everyone avoids the harshness of overhead lighting commonly used in offices. It makes workers happier while increasing energy efficiency. Outside offices with windows can use etched or sandblasted glass to provide privacy while still allowing natural light to reach the inner workspace.

Statement Walls

Glass can be painted to create statement walls using your company colours. This custom look keeps you true to your brand and allows you to create focal points, whether it’s behind your reception desk, in your halls, or in your meeting rooms. You can colour the glass itself, or apply glass over your statement walls with murals, logos, and other artwork.

Wall Protection

Wear and tear can make your office look worn and poorly maintained. You can use glass as an easy-to-clean layer of protection in major traffic areas. To combine form and function, you can choose customized etching or sandblasting to create a striking effect that takes bland walls and turns them into a distinct décor feature.

Decorative Balustrades

To create a high-tech contemporary look, glass balustrades offer a chic and stylish appearance that’s simplistic yet impactful. As mentioned above, they can allow natural light to enter the inner areas of the office. As well, they offer an unexpected design feature that can be pure and clear or highlighted with a myriad of dramatic design features from frosting to bespoke logos.

Floors and Stairs

For a truly ultra-modern look, glass floors and stairs create a futuristic impression that’s both elegant and sophisticated. They can be used in several different settings to create a light-filled workspace that is airy and easy on the eyes. Floors can be crystal clear or accented with various colours or finishes. Not to mention that they’re surprisingly durable and easy to clean. Etching and sandblasting can make them less slick without taking away from the one-of-a-kind look they bring to your space.

Break Rooms

Office kitchens keep people close to work while providing a perk, especially when the coffee is free, and the snack cupboard is full! Break rooms with sinks and counter space can be jazzed up with a glass backsplash with custom colours to reflect your brand. Or it can be used to create a relaxed atmosphere where staff can take some time away from their desks. Available in custom colours and finishes, your design options are endless.

Staff and Client Bathrooms

While office bathrooms don’t usually include showers, many offices today are opting to offer full bathrooms to help support their employees’ healthy lifestyle choices. Workplace showers are growing in popularity, as they allow staff to bike and walk to work without worrying about being sweaty all day. Showers can also be used by those who wish to work out on their lunch hours, allowing them to refresh themselves before they get back to work. Showers with frosted glass allow workers to shower in private. They are attractive and practical, as they are mould and mildew resistant. However, glass can also be used to create stunning client bathrooms with glass counters, backsplashes, and even elegant, modern frosted partition walls between stalls.

Bespoke Furniture

Bespoke glass furniture provides one-of-a-kind pieces that make a statement. From conference tables that appear to hover in meeting rooms, to ultra-modern, sleek desks for executive offices, glass furnishings can be designed to reflect a number of design styles. Simple touches such as glass coffee tables and lamp tables keep smaller spaces light and airy, while prominent walls can be made more interesting with elegant hall tables and large-scale mirrors. Glass furniture can be left clear to provide the illusion of space, or painted or frosted to add more design detailing and a little more substance. Display cases can also be designed to show off your wares, the materials you use, antique industry-related finds, awards, and more.

Office Partitions

Instead of the dreary cubicle walls used in office spaces, glass partition walls provide privacy and soundproofing while also maintaining the illusion of open-concept workspaces. As already mentioned, glass walls are the ideal solution to bring in more natural light to workspaces, but they can be used in any area a wall would commonly appear. Walls can be set up floor-to-ceiling, or at any height required. Frosting or paint can be used for privacy, while etching can be used to create a more defined design element. As well, etching can be used to define departments using text, logos, or motifs.

Open Elevator Shafts

Glass elevator shafts create open spaces while providing intriguing views of the building and its surroundings. Elevator shafts do not have to be outward-facing to create an exceptional architectural feature. Elevators in the center of your lobby, or even on a single floor, can have glass walls installed.

Visitor Workstations

You can create a section of visitor workstations where clients can make calls, have access to a desk and computer, or plugin to recharge their own devices. Ultra-modern work “booths” made of glass provide privacy without taking away from the look of your modern office. You can also provide additional workstations to accommodate the nomadic office worker who might need a quieter space to work in open-concept offices, or for mini brainstorming sessions, one-on-one interviews, employee reviews, and offline conversations.

At Glass Showers and More, our team of glass experts can help you come up with unique designs to complement your office. Click here to contact us today.

Glass offers a surprisingly innovative material with a number of very attractive applications. From stunning shower enclosures and decorative partition walls to impressive stairways and gleaming kitchen backsplashes, glass can be used for both functional and decorative purposes. Because of its fragile nature, glass must be treated to reduce the risk of breakage. Laminating and tempering are the two most common types of glass treatments used for both residential and commercial applications. Here, we explore the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is best for your needs.

What’s the difference between laminated and tempered glass?

Laminated glass provides added strength using a thin, clear layer of plastic sandwiched between two layers of glass. Should the glass be shattered, the damage is minimized as the glass remains in its frame. This creates a highly durable glass ideal for many uses, including the windshield in your car. Tempered glass, on the other hand, is strengthened through a controlled thermal or chemical treatment to increase its durability and is safer if broken.

The Pros and Cons of Tempered Glass

Tempered glass has many pros, including:

• Safety: When shattered, tempered glass reduces the risk of injury as it “crumbles” into small, smoother pieces, as opposed to untempered glass, which tends to have larger, jagged, and sharp pieces. Tempered glass is often the glass of choice where damage due to vandalism is possible, such as in public spaces, for decorative windows in shop fronts and revolving doors.
• Fast Clean-Up: Tempered glass makes cleaning up not only safer but also faster. The small pieces can be swept up without the fear of injury, and the remaining pieces can then be vacuumed.
• Strength: Tempered glass is very strong due to the process used to make it.
• Resistance to Heat: Tempered glass is more heat resistant than other forms of glass as the process used to make it allows it to withstand higher temperatures. It’s a common choice for areas where heat might be a factor, such as labs and buildings with strict fire codes. Tempered glass can resist temperatures of up to 200–300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Mitigates Risk: Because tempered glass is designed to avoid injuries, using tempered glass can mitigate risk for lawsuits, as it reduces the chance of serious injury from broken glass.
• High Quality: Tempered glass is clear, and the process to temper it doesn’t interfere with its transparency.
• Design Friendly: The nature of tempered glass allows us to use it in several designs that help enhance your home or business. From colour application to etching, we can create customized tempered glass projects for a wide variety of uses.
• Affordable: Tempered glass tends to be more affordable than laminated glass, depending on the design, size, and thickness.

Just keep in mind when purchasing tempered glass, all design and functional features must be included at the time the glass is prepared, such as holes, sizing, etc. This means that should adjustments be required, the glass must be made again from scratch.

The Pros and Cons of Laminated Glass

Laminated glass has some different advantages from tempered glass, including:

• Security: The glazing material used for laminated glass makes it very durable. Because it remains in its frame when smashed, it offers added security, making it an ideal choice for main levels in homes and businesses.
• UV Protection: The versatile glazing material provides 99% UV protection, which is perfect for rooms in homes or businesses with direct sunlight. The protection can help reduce or even eliminate the fading of furnishings and carpets.
• Sound Proofing: Laminated glass offers additional soundproofing and can be even more effective with double glazing. It’s ideal for businesses that might want to reduce sound travel, whether it is from outside sources or noise coming from their business.
• Harder to Shatter: As mentioned, laminated glass is used in car windshields as it does not shatter. This reduces the risk for injury and makes it an excellent choice for many applications, including buildings in areas prone to severe weather conditions, as well as protection against break-ins or vandalism.

A downfall, however, of purchasing laminated glass would be the price point and not as design-friendly. Depending on the budget and the use of the glass, it might make more sense to go with tempered glass.

How to Choose Between Tempered and Laminated Glass

As you can see, both types of glass have their advantages. Looking at their similarities, both types of safety glass are available in a variety of thicknesses and colours/tints, offer pristine clarity and durability, and are easy to clean up when shattered. On the negative side, laminated glass tends to be more expensive. When choosing between the two, you need to consider how the glass will be used.

Laminated glass is recommended when:

• The size of the glass does not allow for tempering.
• Additional safety and UV protection is required.
• The glass is forming a structural element of the project, such as glass flooring.
• Price is not as much of an issue.

Tempered glass is recommended when:

• Your budget is limited.
• Quick delivery is not an issue.
• The glass is not necessarily needed for structural support.
• UV protection is not an issue.
• The size of the glass panel is available in tempered glass.

Both types of glass can be used for a variety of applications. However, if you’re considering getting glass for your home or business, tempered glass might be the better option. It’s more affordable overall, still provides security, doesn’t leave sharp edges once broken, and can be used for a variety of designs. At Glass Showers and More, our team of glass experts can recommend the best product for your needs. Click here to contact us today.

At Glass Showers & More, we often receive the question, “What is back-painted glass, and how is it used?”

While it sounds like it might be something complicated, back-painted glass is exactly as the name suggests – glass which has been painted on the backside. This leaves the front side of the glass shiny and smooth but no longer transparent. Rather than seeing through the glass, you see the colour painted behind it.

Back painted glass is especially popular in modern kitchens and office spaces. It’s a great choice for a concept room or a statement wall, standing out from the rest of your home in its shiny opulence.

Back-painted glass adds a touch of elegance, modernity, and uniqueness to every room it graces. It’s the perfect way to spruce up an outdated design, add a little something extra to your office, or increase the sell-factor of a model home.

Here we’ll discuss the major benefits of back-painted glass and why so many homeowners are choosing to incorporate it into their designs.

1. Thinking outside the box

If there’s one thing every design-conscious homeowner is looking for, it’s uniqueness. Many houses are being built with the same cookie-cutter exteriors, and many of the same interior features as well. Setting your house apart with something bespoke to you is an excellent way to increase the ‘wow’ factor and show up the neighbours.

Back-painted glass isn’t hard to come by, but many homeowners either don’t know about it or don’t think to use it in their home design plans. It’s quite astounding how something so simple makes such a large impact on the look of a room, but back-painted glass manages to draw the eye every time.

2. Increase your selling factor

For homeowners hoping to list a house on the market, adding a back-painted glass accent makes all the difference. On the lengthy tour of local houses, yours is sure to stand out in their minds as the one with that beautiful glass feature.

Use back-painted glass in your island counter, floor, wall, room divider, or fireplace mantle. Whatever the choice, it will keep your house at the forefront of the buyer’s mind as they make their rounds.

3. It’s easy to install

One of the worst parts of a home redecorating project is waiting for everything to be complete so you can resume life. An advantage of using back-painted glass in your design is the ease and quickness of installation.

The delicate nature of glass helps keep it one of the quickest installation projects as professionals want to carefully get it into place before anything happens to it. If measurements are precise and the glass is cut well, installing the pieces into your project is simple.

Of course, some projects take longer than others to complete. For example, if you’re installing back-painted glass into a portion of your walk-in shower, it might take longer to install than if you’re using it in a kitchen wall as a backsplash.

4. No shortage of selection

Back painted glass has so many amazing choices to offer from a myriad of customizable shapes and colours to the option of texturization. Your back-painted glass is designed to fit in with your dream motif perfectly.

Back painted glass is versatile, used in many rooms for many purposes. You can use the same colour and style of glass in the bathroom as you do the kitchen or in the bedroom that you do the living room.

Tie your house together with the same colours, textures and keep your guests wondering how you’ve made such a noticeable change to your home in such a short time.

5. Easily accessible to Ontarians

Some home décor projects must be shipped in from Italy, bought on vacation in the United States, or flown over from Southeast Asia. Back painted glass is accessible to you right here in Ontario.

All you need to do is partner with a local glass specialist and inquire about their back-painted glass options. Some specialists only produce the glass, requiring you to contact an installation expert. Other companies provide the glass and installation, depending on the project.

Shopping local means supporting the local economy. This is a great way to achieve the home design look you want while sustaining the community you live in.

6. Easy to clean

Unlike porous wood and paint, back-painted glass gives you all the colour you want without the rough surface to clean. Like all glass surfaces, these products wipe clean with glass cleaner or a solution of vinegar and water. Wipe with a microfiber cloth for best results and enjoy a shiny, streak-free glass feature.

Another benefit is that back-painted glass unless being used as a backsplash, shouldn’t require regular cleaning the way that other surfaces do though this depends on lifestyle and use.

Houses with small children and pets, for example, might find a few nose and fingerprints on their back-painted glass from time to time. Otherwise, a gentle cleaning once a week is plenty to maintain optimal shine.

7. The privacy factor

Back-painted glass is a great addition to an external containment unit, like a balcony or deck fence. It gives the shine and modernity of glass without transparency. This offers some privacy from nosy neighbours and onlookers.

The same concept works for back-painted glass shower doors. The easy to clean, mildew resistant glass door works like any standard glass door, but nobody can see you in the shower.

If you’re interested in back-painted glass and what it could do to liven up your living space, call Glass Showers & More at 1-416-800-1156 or contact us here.

Some designs are timeless, while others require updates from time to time. Unfortunately, remodelling an entire house isn’t something every homeowner can afford. It takes time, money, and plenty of professional help to overhaul a house.

Glass home design is a great way to revive the appearance of an older home’s design without breaking the bank. It’s surprising how big of a difference it makes to add a few new glass elements to your living space.

At Glass Showers & More, we work with homeowners on several projects, supplying everything from new shower doors to new front door window inserts. We’ve made it our job to understand what’s hot in home design and help our customers find products that make their home feel fresh and new.

Are you looking for some insight on how to use glass in home design? Here are some tips from the expert team at Glass Showers & More.

Glass Enclosures for a Better View

If you have a fantastic view from your home, the worst thing you can do is obstruct it with wood or metal fencing. A simple update that makes a huge impact is adding a glass enclosure to your deck or balcony in place of an opaque fence.

Glass enclosures are made using large, durable glass panels. They withstand the elements and are designed to take an impact without breaking. Here in Ontario, we see some nasty weather in the winter, and homeowners might be concerned that a glass enclosure will shatter.

The glass used in outdoor fencing is unique and made specifically to stand up to Canadian weather. This lets you enjoy the view, stress-free.

Swap Out Surfaces for Glass

Nothing opens a living space more than glass. Whether you live in a huge condo with vaulted ceilings or a tiny 1-bedroom apartment, switching your standard oak dining table for a glass-topped chrome dining set will make a huge difference to your space. This modern look is clean, airy, and light, brightening any space immediately.

One of the reasons glass opens up a room so quickly is because the light entering through windows and skylights isn’t being absorbed by dark wood or plastic. Instead, it can reflect and refract through the glass, casting bright light throughout your home.

Create a Mirror Statement Wall

Mirrors are an amazing tool for small spaces. They create the illusion that everything is longer and wider than it really is. They also bounce light throughout your house, creating a bright living space you won’t want to leave.

A wonderful new trend is incorporating mirrors into a statement wall. Whether you choose one large ornate mirror or select many tiny intermingling mirrors, the point is to design an eye-catching, reflecting wall to open the room, brighten the space, and modernize your home.

Shock Guests with Glass Floors

A super-modern addition to any outdated design is glass flooring. Glass floors aren’t a new concept, but they’re so rarely seen in standard homes that it’s a shock to step onto one. Glass floors help brighten rooms and reduce the feeling of claustrophobia in smaller spaces. A bonus to having a glass floor in one room is that you have a glass ceiling in the room below it.

A glass ceiling into an upstairs space is perfect for darker rooms, like those situated in the basement. Most basement rooms have smaller windows that allow less light to filter in. A glass ceiling/floor concept allows the natural light from the main level to spill into your downstairs.

Aside from the brightness factor, glass floors are downright shocking. You may find many of your guests wondering if they’re ok to walk on. This will leave you home the talk of the town for a long time to come.

Textured Glass Pieces

Textured and designed glass are making a splash in modern home design. Kitchen island tops, tabletops, shower doors, and even entire walls are being designed using textured glass. This beautiful style of glass allows all the light with no detraction of privacy.

Depending on the piece you’re using the textured glass for, you may need a thicker, more durable glass. It’s important to discuss with your glass specialist the use of each piece. This helps ensure that the glass is strong enough for its intended use.

Glass Lighting Fixtures

Gone are the days of chrome and copper. The latest lighting trend is glass on glass. Frosted glass, clear glass, geometric crystallized glass, and textured glass are all making a comeback in this year’s lighting fixtures. From full-sized chandeliers to three-tiered lighting arrangements, you’ll find glass making a big difference to every room in your home.

Unlike the metal fixtures popular in the past, glass lighting fixtures don’t block any of the light from the bulb. You can use tinted glass to change the way the light looks in different rooms or soften the light with frosted or textured glass.

Glass in the Bathroom

From partition walls to swinging shower doors, glass gives a bathroom the clean, bright look modern designers are going for. There’s been a recent renewal of the spa theme for bathrooms this year. More homeowners are choosing to use white linens, glass shower doors instead of shower curtains, white accessories, and shiny chrome plumbing fixtures.

Using glass home design in the bathroom takes a room that could be considered mundane and turns it into something truly luxurious. Take your time, enjoy your shower, bath, or facial with clear, clean glass and white tile.

Choose the Glass Experts

Using glass in home design is tricky and requires the work of a trained professional. When you choose a specialist to install your glass products and services, it helps to speak with them directly. Ask about:

• Prior projects
• Types of glass offered
• Suggestions for modernizing your home with glass
• What experience they have with glass home design

If you’re interested in learning more about using glass in your home design, call Glass Showers & More at 1-416-800-1156 or contact us here.