Guide for the Use of Architectural Glass in Homes and Businesses

Glass is an evolving material. From its earliest development in antiquity, to its modern use as a design element with functional properties, glass can create elegance and purpose for every home or business.

For exterior home or business applications, long gone are the days when the use of glass could be considered drafty energy loss fundamentals. Today’s architectural glass offers energy saving properties, in the form of low-e insulation along with thermally broken metal framing, that meet the highest level of energy standards, even here in New York. Insulated glass can be clear, tinted, and available in a range of colors and shapes to meet the particular needs of each glass project.

Glass railings are also becoming increasingly popular, both commercially and residentially. The railing allows for an open feel, without obscuring views while offering security as a railing. Glass is durable and nearly maintenance free. Here in the Hudson Valley area where river views are in high demand, glass railing has proven to offer exceptional practicality and is considered an architectural must-have by most preferred glazing contractors and designers.

Glass shower doors have become a necessity in every home. The European-style cabinet offers both a beautiful open design and a useful function to hold water in the shower area. There are extensive hardware options and glass options for this cabinet style. It is highly recommended to protect the glass with a sealer on the interior surface to prevent the buildup of hard water spots. Ritec ClearShield is a highly regarded glass treatment product and has received many awards. The frameless glass shower door is usually installed approximately two weeks after measurement. All glass cabinets, when furnished by a competent glass company, will offer the highest quality hinges and hardware; the hinges should not be made of aluminum as it is not considered structural as required for the heavy glass the cabinet uses. The most preferred design is the type that uses clamps to secure fixed panels versus the more outdated u-channel application. Most professional companies offer the clamp-on style, as it has a much cleaner appearance and creates a fuller look of glass.

For businesses or home offices, the glass entrance is a highly sought after design. These entry types offer an all-glass door with adjacent glass panels. The metal frame is minimal and creates a beautiful architectural style. The image created by the all-glass entrance is one of professionalism.

Colored glass is also a trending product. Many choose colored glass for backsplashes, countertops, and bars. The glass surface is durable and easy to maintain and can be designed to fit any décor. The glass can be extremely thick and designed to be safety glass to ensure the highest level of durability. Some choose to incorporate textures into the glass design to add beauty.

When choosing a glass contractor, you should carefully examine the company for the following elements to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. The company must be competent, with years of established service and experience. Request references for finished architectural glass products. Ask the glass company if you can view completed installations. A glass company that makes its own products and has state-of-the-art machinery is also desirable; as they are more likely to offer the best finished architectural glass product and have the highest level of skilled workers. The price is also important. It is not in the best interest of the consumer to go ahead with the lowest or highest priced glass contractor, as the lowest person is likely to have the least skilled workers and the highest seeks to mark up the product as much as possible. But a company whose price is set in the middle is probably your best bet.