Using glass in the industrial look

Using glass in the industrial look

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Using glass in the industrial look

Using glass in the industrial look

One of the hottest design trends is industrial. The great news is that you can incorporate a lot of materials, including glass, into an industrial design for your home. The industrial look offers simple utility in all of its raw glory.

Done right, pure “industrial chic” produces a warehouse look. The great news is that industrial is flexible and can be combined with a number of complementary features and materials that transform the basic style from raw to polished, from sterile to earthy, or from simple to sophisticated.

Glass is a versatile player in industrial decorating


What can you expect from industrial? Here are a few characteristic traits of the industrial look.
True industrial features open ductwork and exposed pipes. To be honest, there’s nothing attractive about open utilities, except that they offer a great opportunity for decoration. Ductwork can be painted any color, and it can lend a splash of color to an otherwise drab ceiling. Open ductwork can also allow you to take advantage of additional ceiling height. Copper pipes can be polished and sealed to show off their gorgeous natural color. The unfinished nature of industrial can also create decorating opportunities with brick, wood and large wall spaces.

Industrial also allows you to use materials in unorthodox ways. Pipes, metal, glass, wood, brick and other commercial fittings combine to make shelves, stairs, furniture, surfaces and other household items. Variations in metal finishes can add color and texture to the mix.

If you intend to incorporate glass into your industrial design, consider glass countertops, backsplashes and cabinet fronts. As a bonus, you can paint glass with Glassprimer™ glass paint. The paint is designed especially for use with glass, and makes a permanent bond with the glass surface. The permanent bond means that the paint will not peel, chip or fade, even when exposed to direct sunlight.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Ed Merritt , via Flickr.com

Glass room dividers are hot

Glass room dividers are hot

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Glass room dividers are hot

Glass room dividers are hot

One way to incorporate glass into your design plan is by using glass room dividers. You can find pre-printed, pre-painted or just plain glass room dividers. If you intend to use a large sheet of glass, it’s a good idea (maybe a requirement?) to use tempered glass. Tempered glass can be custom sized before it’s treated, and it can be painted after heat treatment. Tempered glass is stronger than ordinary plate glass, and will resist shattering, cracking and other impact damage.

Decorate glass room dividers with Glassprimer™ glass paint

You can also use patterned glass, glass block and frosted glass to create privacy. Frosted glass can be expensive, so for larger frosted glass installations, you may want to consider using Glassprimer™ glass paint with a frosted effect to create a cost-effective, opaque coating that transmits light. Glassprimer™ glass paint is available in virtually any color and can cover more than 250 square feet for about $1 per square foot.

The advantage of using Glassprimer™ glass paint over traditional acid etched glass is that with Glassprimer™ glass paint, you can “frost” your glass using any color. Traditional etched glass modifies the surface of the glass, but doesn’t create any colored effect, unless the glass is already colored.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is also highly UV-resistant, which means that it can be used in locations that receive direct sunlight without fear of delamination, chipping or fading. When applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions, Glassprimer™ glass paint comes with a 10-year warranty. Glassprimer™ glass paint can also be used on other porous and non-porous surfaces, including tile and stone. You’ll get the same great results!

Glassprimer™ glass paint doesn’t simply dry on the surface of the glass. Instead, the paint is designed to create a nanoscale bond with the surface of the glass. This nanoscale bond is what ensures that the paint will stay in place permanently, even in conditions that cause ordinary paints to fail. Once bonded to the surface, Glassprimer™ glass paint resists humidity and UV light – two of the most common culprits in interior paint failure.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is easy to clean up, too. Using ordinary paint thinners, you can remove Glassprimer™ glass paint from high-volume, low pressure paint sprayers, paint rollers and paint brushes easily. It’s also a low-VOC compound, so you won’t be dealing with lingering paint vapors in your home or commercial space.

If you’d like more information about decorating with Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Rachel, via FreeImages.com

Frameless shower doors are trending

Frameless shower doors are trending

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Frameless shower doors are trending

Frameless shower doors are trending

A trend that’s taking hold in bathroom decoration is the frameless shower door. Unlike the bulky sliding shower doors of the past, frameless shower doors lend an easy elegance to the bathroom. They’re easier to clean, and because they’re most often associated with walk-in showers, they don’t tend to lend themselves to the accumulation of mold and mildew in the bathroom.

Frameless shower doors work for walk-in showers and tubs

Frameless shower doors come in a number of styles, including single hung doors, double doors and sliding doors. Many sliding doors are held in place using traditional tracks, but newer sliding doors ride on exposed wheels that lend themselves to the emerging urban industrial look.

Unless you have two swinging glass doors, at least one of your frameless panels will be fixed. Depending upon where you locate the door, you may have more than one fixed panel. Your installation may not be truly frameless – a top rail might be required to provide additional stability for the fixed panels..

Frameless shower doors can be made from clear or patterned glass, or they can have designs applied to the surface once the glass has been formed. For shower applications tempered glass is required. Tempered glass will offer a significant safety advantage over standard plate glass.

You can have frameless shower doors and panels coated with a special hydrophobic coating, which will cause water droplets to run off the surface. This will help reduce maintenance, and water spotting on the glass following use. If your shower door and glass panels are coated, be sure you understand proper maintenance techniques to avoid damaging the coatings.

Frameless shower doors can be created in a variety of thicknesses, but the thickness of the glass will determine the type of hardware required to support the glass. Glass is very heavy, so having adequate support for both the panels and the doors is essential.

You’ll also want to use low-iron glass, unless a green tint works into your decorating plan. Low iron glass is truly clear. Standard float glass has a greenish tint caused by iron inclusions in the glass at the time of manufacturing.

If you’re looking for additional inspiration for decorating with glass, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .
Photo Credit: ZiebaBuilders, via Flickr.com

Window treatments take center stage

Window treatments take center stage

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Window treatments take center stage

Window treatments take center stage

When decorating a room, designers spend a great deal of time choosing colors, materials and textures. While they don’t overlook the windows, they are paying closer attention to window treatments. As it turns out, what you put on a window can have a big impact on the comfort and energy efficiency of the space. In an effort to reduce energy consumption without compromising on comfort, designers are turning to window treatments for more than just their looks.

Wide variety of window treatments

Window treatments have traditionally played two major roles: creating privacy and blocking out light. These functions are still of the utmost importance, but window treatments can also improve the energy efficiency of a space by blocking UV radiation and baffling air leaks – a common occurrence around windows.

Sunlight is full-spectrum light, meaning that it contains the entire visible light spectrum, as well as the invisible infrared and ultraviolet light frequencies. Infrared and ultraviolet light generate heat, so controlling how much of the full light spectrum enters into a space is critical for controlling temperature.

Light passes through glass cleanly. By itself, glass isn’t very good at rejecting either desirable or undesirable lightwaves. Ultraviolet light plays a big role in the generation and retention of heat. Ultraviolet light is responsible for heating up the rugs, floors, furniture, walls and other objects in a room. These heated objects in turn radiate heat out into the room, setting up a sustained cycle of heating and heat retention.

During the winter, the angle of the Sun changes, and significant heat accumulation is less likely. Heat loss during the winter, however, is a bigger challenge. Using UV-protective films or coatings can help manage the transfer of UV radiation into a space.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is UV-resistant, which means it will block UV radiation while still allowing visible light transmission. Because it’s UV resistant, it will also resist chipping, fading and peeling, even in direct sunlight. Glassprimer™ glass paint is specially engineered for adhesion to glass and other non-porous surfaces. Unlike regular paint, Glassprimer™ glass paint makes a permanent bond with the glass. Once cured the paint cannot be removed, and is guaranteed to perform for 10 years.

If you’re looking for a UV resistant glass coating or a colored coating for glass, please consider Glassprimer™ glass paint. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Byronv2, via Flickr.com

Glass emerges in bathroom trends

Glass emerges in bathroom trends

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Glass emerges in bathroom trends

Glass emerges in bathroom trends

New trends are emerging in bathroom design, and they definitely incorporate glass. Consumers have some definite preferences for their bathrooms, and calm happens to be one of them. So how do you “calm” a bathroom? Here are a few tips for channeling your bathroom’s inner spa.

Glass can help create calm luxury

Color. One good way to bring order to the chaos of your bathroom is through color. Using neutral colors, natural colors or a monochromatic color palette can help bring a measure of calm to your bathroom. Light colors and soft lighting can also help you get that spa-like feeling.

Open shelves, open vanities. Open shelving creates storage while maximizing space. This is true especially in small bathrooms. Consider open wire or glass shelves to create space for towels and other standard bathroom items. Clever use of space in vanities can allow for significant storage while disguising and discouraging clutter.

Privacy. Creating privacy in a bathroom can be a challenge, especially when the bathroom contains a window. Glassprimer™ glass paint can help turn an ordinary transparent window into a permanently frosted glass that affords complete privacy without significantly reducing light transmission. In addition, glass painted with Glassprimer™ glass paint offers superior UV-protection. By rejecting UV radiation from the Sun, you can reduce the temperature in the room by eliminating heat buildup. This helps you maintain comfort and reduce energy consumption.

Parity. Most homeowners focus their expenditures on the master bathroom, but you can carry themes (and materials) through to other bathrooms in the house. By using similar materials in multiple spaces in the house, you can not only save money, but create continuity in your decorating theme. This could mean using the same color palette, paints, glass or tile, and other materials in multiple bathrooms (or other spaces) in your home.

If you’re looking for additional glass inspiration, please visit the rest of our site. If you’re ready to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Hotel Le Plaza, via Flickr.com

Design Trends For Today

Design Trends For Today

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Design Trends For Today

Design Trends For Today

Design trends do more than give you something to look at. They reflect the time period they’re found in. If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your home or other interior space, here are a few emerging design trends to consider.

Design trends that stand the test of time

Color, color and more color. Colors define this period and the bolder the color, the better. You can really dress up a neutral space by adding a daring color burst. Whether you choose to go with a single bright color or many, you can’t go wrong with this design trend. Glassprimer™ glass paint is a great way to add color to your space. It can be tinted to match any paint palette from any major manufacturer, and it comes with a 10-year guarantee.

Glass! Designers are being inspired by American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. Known for his colorful blown glass and large-scale glass sculptures, Chihuly is inspiring designers to incorporate glass in their spaces like never before. Adding glass and color to a space isn’t just limited to decoration. Glass can be a highly functional surface that’s also gorgeous in its own right.

Back to the future. Designers are also big on revisiting and revitalizing design trends of the past, and right now, designers are in love with mid-20th century designs. Which is great because mid-century designers in a long-term relationship with Art Deco. Post-war materials, colors and designs are storming into interior spaces.

Back to nature. Stone, wood and other natural materials have never been out of vogue, but today’s design trends are relying on Mother Nature to get the job done. Today’s design trends make liberal use of time-tested materials, including glass.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for decorating with glass, please check out the rest of our website. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Etienne, via Flickr.com

Creating color paint palettes that work

Creating color paint palettes that work

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Creating color paint palettes that work

Creating color paint palettes that work

For some people, choosing a paint color is the most difficult part of painting. Your strategy can be more sophisticated than choosing two colors that “go together,” or avoiding shades that don’t work in the space. But how can you create color paint palettes that are pleasing and work in your space?

Color paint palettes and glass paint

In the last post, I discussed monochromatic color paint palettes. Those are color choices that revolve around a single basic hue, but include variations in saturation. For example, a monochromatic color paint palette may use blue as the base color and incorporate lighter or darker shades of blue as accent colors.

Three color paint palettes
Three color paint palettes incorporate three colors that are evenly spaced on the “color wheel.” These colors would be 120° apart. Red, yellow and blue make up a three color paint palette. Red, yellow and blue are all primary colors, so this particular paint palette would be an attention-grabber. You can soften three color paint palettes by choosing one primary color, and using the other two colors as accents. You can also soften three color paint palettes by choosing variations in saturation.

Four color paint palettes
Like three color paint palettes, four color paint palettes incorporate four colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. This time, the colors are only 90° apart. Orange, yellow, blue and purple make up a four-color paint palette. Yellow and blue are two primary colors, while orange and purple are two complementary colors. Four color paint palettes may or may not include primary colors. A four color palette could be made up exclusively of complementary colors.

Another approach to choosing four color paint palettes is to choose a color on the color wheel, then choose its complement. For example, choose red and its complement, green. Then choose a color that’s 60° away from red – either yellow-orange or purple – and that color’s complement. You could end up with a palette of red, green, yellow-orange and light blue, or red, green, purple and yellow. Again, using a palette like this, you’d choose a “master” color and use the rest as accents. You could also choose a neutral color as the master color, and use all four colors as accents.

Larger color paint palettes won’t allow you to accomplish more, especially in small spaces. If you’re working with a big space – as in am entire house or a commercial space – you might be able to pull it off. You could also work with different palettes and incorporate some of the same colors in each one.
If you’d like more information about creating color paint palettes, please check out the rest of our site. If you’re ready to shop for glass paint, please visit our online store.

Photo Credit: Sophie et Cie, via Flickr.com

Color strategies and glass paint

Color strategies and glass paint

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Color strategies and glass paint

Color strategies and glass paint

One of the easiest ways to decorate is by using color. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to blend colors successfully. The result is most often … monochromatic! There’s nothing wrong with sticking to one color when painting, but there’s also nothing wrong with mixing up your approach when working with glass paint.

Color combinations that “work” aren’t accidental

Most folks don’t spend a lot of time studying color theory, so they don’t think about color very much when decorating. It may surprise them, then, when they see a combination of colors that really “works.” The process of combining colors isn’t mysterious, and it doesn’t have to be “trial-and-error” either. Here are a few strategies for combining colors successfully when using glass paint.

Single color strategy
Varying shades of a single color can create a dramatic and inviting color palette. A monochromatic color strategy tends to bring a calming effect to a room, and can work well in a bathroom or bedroom. While you can use a monochromatic color strategy throughout an entire space, looking at the same color everywhere can get a little tedious. If you want to go with a single color strategy for a large area, choose a variety of accent colors to liven up each distinct space.

Complementary color strategy
Our eyes perceive colors because the visible light spectrum covers a wide range of frequencies. Colors in the visible light spectrum are described as part of a 360° “color wheel.” Complementary colors are directly across from each other on the wheel. Orange and blue are opposite colors, so they’re considered complementary. A complementary color strategy requires a keen eye. The palette should be balanced out by adding neutral colors to soften the overall appearance of a space.

Analogous color strategy
An analogous color strategy can also work well because it combines similar colors into a single scheme. Analogous colors sit close to each other in the color spectrum, and one color may “lead” into another one. Yellow and yellow orange, for example are analogous colors. They’re neighbors on the color spectrum and they tend to get along well in a color palette. The key to working with analogous colors is to use similar saturation, so one color doesn’t overwhelm the other.

In the next post, we’ll look at additional color strategies that can help you determine how to choose the best, most harmonious colors for your space. In the mean time, if you’d like to find some more inspiration for working with glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Courtney Rhodes, via Flickr.com

Using glass paint outside

Using glass paint outside

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Using glass paint outside

Using glass paint outside

Glassprimer&153; glass paint knocks it out of the park on interior projects in places like the kitchen and bathroom. It’s also unbeatable in commercial applications, but can it perform outside? Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used outside, and you’ll get great results on a variety of surfaces. . Glassprimer&153; glass paint is self-priming, and forms a permanent bond with a wide range of surfaces

Glassprimer™ glass paint is multi-talented!

Exterior paints are usually oil-based and take a beating, thanks to the weather and constant sun exposure. Glassprimer™ glass paint is tough and durable, whether you use it inside or outside. Glassprimer™ is specifically warranteed for indoor use, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it outside.

When used outside, you can expect the same great coverage, exceptional UV resistance to fading and peeling and temperature resistance to 350° F. Glassprimer™ glass paint stands up to gasoline, Xylene, hydrochloric acid, ammonia, sulfuric acid, salt and oil. It can also take direct contact with water, but immersion isn’t recommended. Glassprimer™ glass paint is also a low VOC paint, which means you won’t have to deal with unpleasant paint fumes.

Glassprimer™ glass paint’s heat resistance means you can apply it to surfaces (like masonry and stone) that typically heat up in sun and retain heat. When Glassprimer™ glass paint cures, it won’t delaminate, fade or crack, even in direct sun exposure. We can also match the paint palettes of all major paint manufacturers, so you can count on our colors to match your decorating plan.

The key to working successfully with Glassprimer™ glass pain in exterior applications is to apply the paint in thin coats. The paint dries and cures best with a thin coat. Additional coats can be applied as desired. A thin coat can dry to the touch in about 3 hours, and you can handle painted objects safely after about four hours. Full curing will occur in 24-48 hours with thin coats. This timeframe will increase with thicker coats. A fully cured surface will be resistant to surface abrasions and will feel like glass.

If you’d like more information about using glass paint in exterior projects, please visit our site. If you’d like to order glass paint, please visit our online store.

Photo Credit: Dean Hochman, via Flickr.com

Glass paint in the kitchen

Glass paint in the kitchen

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Glass paint in the kitchen

Glass paint in the kitchen

Glass paint is remarkably durable, and is designed to stand up to even the toughest environments. Glass paint works well in the kitchen, where temperature and humidity can be very hard on ordinary paint.

Tempered glass and glass paint

You don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to realize that cooking can generate a lot of heat and humidity. Heat and humidity are both very hard on paint – especially water-based paints that are commonly used in homes. Oil-based paints are more durable, but they generate a lot of unpleasant odors as they cure. In addition, the kitchen – including the walls – must be cleaned frequently. Countertops, backsplashes and walls all suffer from being part of the food preparation environment. Any surface you include in the kitchen must be tough enough to stand up to heat, humidity and regular cleaning.

Glass is a go-to surface. Europeans have used glass surfaces in their kitchens for years, and it’s easy to see why. It’s impervious to bacteria, easy to clean and can be sanitized infinitely without damage. It doesn’t fade or wear the way other surfaces do. But it’s not indestructible!

You may have noticed that glass isn’t exactly flexible. Its rigid structure is vulnerable to rapid changes in temperature. Ovens and cooking surfaces can generate temperatures 6-10 times greater than ambient air temperature within a few minutes. That puts glass surfaces in danger of damage from expansion. If the glass molecules heat up, they’ll expand and crack the surface of a glass object.

Fortunately, tempered glass is designed to withstand rapid changes in temperature. If you intend to use glass surfaces in your kitchen, you’ll want to choose tempered glass. Not only will it protect your glass surfaces from temperature-related damage, it’s also better able to withstand impacts from dropped items.

Glassprimer&153; glass paint is specially formulated to bond to all types of glass, including tempered glass. You can add backpainted glass safely to your kitchen, knowing that it will not chip, fade, peel, bubble or crack, even in the high humidity and elevated temperatures in a kitchen. Glassprimer&153; forms a permanent bond with the surface of the glass, so your kitchen surfaces will look great for years!

You can use a combination of tempered and non-tempered glass when decorating the kitchen. Non-tempered glass is lightweight, and works well on cabinet fronts and backsplashes where heat and impacts are not a concern. Because of the way tempered glass is made, it can’t be cut. If you need to cut into the glass to make electrical outlets and switches accessible, use non-tempered glass or consult with a glass shop about your options. If an electrical outlet is directly accessible from the stove, you’ll want to consult with an electrician to move it prior to starting your glass project.
If you’d like more information about working with glass paint, please check out the rest of our site! If you’d like to order glass paint, please visit our online store.

Photo Credit: Laser Burners, via Flickr.com