Using glass in interior design

Using glass in interior design

/in ,

Using glass in interior design

Using glass in interior design

Glass is an ideal material for decorating. When you want to open a space, glass allows light to flow through the space, and naturally makes it look larger. Even though glass is the “go-to” material for this kind of application, glass has many other desirable decorating characteristics.

Transparency is insanely attractive, but you can do a lot with opaque glass. Glass has a tactile quality that other materials don’t have. It’s cool, smooth and solid. It can be heavy, and it’s elegant in a way that no other material is. When you want opacity, there’s no better way to achieve it than with Glassprimer™ glass paint.

Glassprimer™ glass paint comes in virtually any color, and you can create opaque and frosted glass looks for about $1 per square foot. That’s actually less expensive than traditional frosted glass. Traditional frosted glass is created using either a chemical process or sandblasting the surface of the glass.

If you’re not going for opaque, you can also achieve a dramatic translucent effect using Glassprimer™ glass paint. Translucence allows light to shine through a non-transparent surface.

From a decorating standpoint, you can do a lot with translucent and opaque architectural glass within an interior space. Walls, furniture and doors can all be made of or incorporate glass. Glass walls in a conference room can be augmented with Glassprimer™ glass paint or UV-inkjet printing to ensure privacy while still allowing the distribution of natural light.

Other features, including reception areas, walls, partitions and other similar structures can also be augmented with Glassprimer™ glass paint. Glass is a highly cost effective and versatile material, and can be used virtually anywhere – walls, floors, ceilings, doors, walkways, staircases and more.

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

Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk, via Flickr.com

Recycled Glass Kitchen Countertops

Recycled Glass Kitchen Countertops

/in ,

Recycled Glass Kitchen Countertops

Recycled Glass Kitchen Countertops

Some people want to incorporate sustainability into their lifestyles and homes. One new, highly sustainable material that’s’ emerged as a favorite is recycled glass. Recycled glass countertops are incredibly strong. They’re scratch-resistant, UV-resistant, acid-resistant and they come in a wide variety of colors.

Recycled glass countertops are made primarily from recycled glass and pigments. The mixture is bonded together Portland cement to form a tough, durable and beautiful surface that’s suitable for use in the bathroom or kitchen. A recycled glass countertop looks similar to terrazzo tile.

Recycled glass countertops are heat-resistant. The counter surface is exceptionally smooth and can be dyed to match any décor. Better still, the surface requires very little maintenance, and unlike some stone materials, a glass countertop does not need to be sealed or waxed for protection.

Being able to keep a surface clean is important to health and safety, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Recycled glass countertops are impervious, so they will not absorb liquids, bacteria or viruses. They’re also rated for both commercial and residential use and cut to any shape or size.

Recycled glass countertops paired with glass surfaces like glass backsplashes create an amazing classic look in a kitchen. Glass backsplashes are easy to create, and can be painted in any color using Glassprimer™ glass paint. Glassprimer™ glass paint is specially engineered to bond permanently with glass.

Backpainted glass is safe for use in the kitchen. You can use ordinary flat glass or tempered glass. If you intend to create a backpainted splash for use around the stove, you’ll want to use tempered glass. If your backsplash won’t come into contact with a source of significant heat, you can use ordinary flat glass.

Backpainted glass is easy to make, and you can get excellent coverage for about $1 per square foot. If you don’t want to use glass, you can also create a glass effect using Plexiglas™. Glassprimer™ glass paint will bond with Plexiglas™ and weighs significantly less than glass. Plexiglas™ is an ideal covering for cabinet fronts, where the extra weight of glass may not be easily supportable.

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: GEOS

Glass headlines interior design trends

Glass headlines interior design trends

/in ,

Glass headlines interior design trends

Glass headlines interior design trends

Updating your existing space can be a challenge, but these new interior design trends may help you get started on your grand plans. The great news for fans of the classic look is that it’s always welcome! Interior designers are falling back on the tried and true in a big way. Glass is being used to bridge the gap between classic and contemporary.

If you’re looking at new windows, the word is, “Go big!” Floor-to-ceiling glass windows are at the top of the designers’ wish lists. In addition to flooding an area with natural light, they lend an open, airy and contemporary feeling to just about any space. They’re a great way to smudge the line between interior and exterior. When nestled in a door-wall, they can also turn an indoor room into an outdoor room in a snap.

Great glass walls are easy to dress, too! Floor to ceiling curtains, shades and portable room dividers can give privacy when desired. They can also be stored when it’s time to let the sun shine in.

Great glass without the windows

If new windows aren’t in the budget, you can incorporate glass in other ways. Glass panel surfaces and tabletops accentuate simple, yet sophisticated designs. Paired with neutral colors on the walls and natural flooring, you can pull together an outstanding look for one room or the whole house!

Worried about losing out on color by adding too much glass? Don’t! Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specially formulated paint that comes in virtually any color. You can use Glassprimer™ glass paint to add a splash of color to a room. Backpaint backsplashes, countertops or cabinet faces to update a kitchen easily. Glassprimer™ glass paint is easy to apply and cleans up like ordinary paint. Once cured, Glassprimer™ glass paint won’t fade, chip or peel and can stand up to direct sunlight.

For 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: Jeremy Levine, via Flickr.com

Glass entryway designs can perk up a home

Glass entryway designs can perk up a home

/in ,

Glass entryway designs can perk up a home

Glass entryway designs can perk up a home

You’ve no doubt heard the old saw about first impressions, and if that’s true of people, it’s also true of homes. Your entryways give visitors a first impression of your home. It’s important to get them right. Incorporating glass into your entryway is one way to expand a small space, and give an open, airy and welcoming feeling to your home. Let’s look at some glass entryway designs and ideas that can help make a grand first impression.

Ideas for glass entryway designs

The first and most obvious improvement you can make to your entryway starts with the door. Glass doors, or doors that incorporate glass in and around them are ideal candidates for a glass entryway design. By including glass lights in a door, or around a doorway, you can not only increase the amount of light coming into your home, but also give your visitors a glimpse into what lies inside.

Some people don’t want to show off – and that’s entirely understandable. In that case, frosted glass, pebbled glass or even painted glass can help preserve the privacy of your home while still allowing light to stream into your space. Glass around entryways may be covered by housing codes. Typically, glass around an entryway must be tempered or fire-rated, so if you intend to reframe a doorway to include non-operable glass, consult with the local building inspector to determine your local requirements.

In addition to adding windows around doors, you can also consider adding a non-operable lite above the door. Windows above doorways work best in high-ceiling designs. Again, building codes may limit what you can do with a lite or window above a doorway, so consult with the building inspector during the planning stages.

You can also incorporate glass furniture in an entryway. Glass tables and shelving units give visitors a place to set keys, purses and packages. They’re easy to clean and they look great.
Glass room dividers can also be a welcome addition to an open entryway. Whether you use frameless glass, glass block or even a sliding glass panel, adding glass in your entryway can create a visual definition to the space, while preserving the distribution of natural light around the space.

You can easily decorate glass using Glassprimer™ glass paint in virtually any color under the sun. And speaking of sun, Glassprimer™ glass paint won’t chip, fade or peel, even in direct sunlight. It’s ideal for decorating glass entryway designs.

For more information about 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: Deco Design Center, via Flickr.com

Incorporating Glass Decorations Inexpensively

Inexpensive Glass Design Ideas

/in ,

Inexpensive Glass Design Ideas

Inexpensive Glass Design Ideas

Glass is an exceptionally versatile decorating material, and it can be incorporated into your home in some very creative and cost effective ways. Glass evokes a luxurious feeling, but that doesn’t mean it has to put a big dent in your wallet.

Working with glass interiors

Glass always seems to work best in large spaces, but here’s the trick: glass tends to make any space look bigger. It works its magic, even in small spaces! Introducing a glass table into your dining room, for example can really make a small room look larger. Because you can see through it, it tends to extend a space. Solid objects, on the other hand, form discrete barriers, and tend to close off more space than they should.

Using this notion, you can expand a small room by using glass tables or room dividers. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also reframe a window to encourage more daylight. If the idea of reframing windows sounds expensive, don’t panic. It’s actually less expensive than you think. Consult with a remodeling specialist about reworking your windows, or adding windows to a room.

The same principle that applies to glass tables applies to doors. A wooden door seals off a space. Sometimes that’s what you want, but a glass door can improve light transmission and provide privacy at the same time. Whether you choose a frameless glass door or a wood-framed door with glass lites, you can really expand your space – if only visually by letting light move around it more easily.

Stairways can benefit from a glass and steel railing system. Glass panels can allow light to flow and really open up a space. A steel toprail will give a staircase a very contemporary look, and the glass panels are actually less expensive than you might think. You’ll want to use tempered glass on stairs, to avoid injuries in case of an accident.

Glass backsplashes and counter surfaces can really amp up your kitchen. As an added benefit, they’re exceptionally easy to clean and durable. You can easily decorate glass using Glassprimer™ glass paint in virtually any color under the sun. And speaking of sun, Glassprimer™ glass paint won’t chip, fade or peel, even in direct sunlight.

For more information about 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: Jeld-Wen

Working with laminated glass

Working with laminated glass

/in ,

Working with laminated glass

Working with laminated glass

Laminated glass is an industry standard for interior and exterior design. Laminated glass is a safety glass product, and consists of at least two layers of glass with a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between the glass panels. The PVB layer is applied to the glass using pressure and heat during the manufacturing process. Multiple layers of glass and PVB can be laminated together.

Laminated glass has been used in the auto industry since the 1950’s, and has been used in architecture for about 30-40 years. In terms of design, laminated glass is very flexible, in that the glass layers can be tinted, coated and textured. Laminated glass can also accommodate colored interlayers, and special insulating layers that improve sound dampening. Typically, the thickness of the finished product ranges between 1/8th of an inch and 1/4th of an inch, but thicker glass can be made. Laminated glass can also be cut if the glass layers have been annealed.

Annealing is a cooling technique that strengthens the glass during the manufacturing process. Annealed glass is not tempered, but it is cooled slowly to relieve internal stress. Annealed glass is about 4 to 5 times stronger than untreated glass, but it will break into shards, just like untreated glass. Tempered glass, on the other hand, is heated then quickly cooled. The resulting product is stronger than glass, and breaks into small cubes, rather than shards.

Laminated glass can be used in insulating glass products, like windows and doors. It can also be coated with low-emissivity coatings to help reflect UV and infrared lightwaves. Laminated glass can be made in sheets as big as 16×8 ft. The panel size depends upon the limits of the manufacturing equipment, but the weight of the finished piece is also a consideration.

Laminated glass is used where safety is a consideration. In exterior applications, laminated glass is used in windows and doors, and in structural elements, such as side panels for buildings. It can also be used in display windows, floors and safety barriers.

Laminated glass can be painted or coated, just like any other glass. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used with laminated glass to coat, frost or decorate glass. Glassprimer™ glass paint permanently bonds with the glass layer to resist chipping, fading and peeling. It can be used in both interior and exterior applications.

If you would 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: Hugh Dutton Associés, via Flickr.com

Why we're so attracted to glass

Why we’re so attracted to glass

/in ,

Why we're so attracted to glass

Why we’re so attracted to glass

There’s something about glass that just lends an air of elegance to a room. Whether it’s large windows, a glass room divider, a sweeping glass staircase, or a glass table top, glass just gets our attention.

Visually, glass is appealing because you can see through it. It transmits light, which allows it to open up a space. The openness of a space has a direct impact on the way we feel, and that works well – especially in a home.

For all of its power, glass is also delicate. Everyone’s broken glass. Without a doubt, glass has its limits, which makes its presence in staircases, room dividers and large windows all that much more magical.

Design is evolving to incorporate much more glass. Commercial and residential spaces can both take advantage of glass, and incorporating glass in remodeling is becoming more common.

Outdoor rooms often rely on glass to bridge the distance between a home’s interior and its exterior. Commercial interiors rely on glass to transmit natural light. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light makes employees more productive and happier at work, and helps to better regulate the body’s internal “clock” and a variety of metabolic processes.

Using glass definitely has its upsides, but it also brings concerns about temperature, increased energy consumption and energy losses. One way to combat this is by using specialized coatings on glass like Glassprimer™ glass paint.

Glassprimer™ glass paint allows the transmission of natural, visible light, while rejecting UV radiation, which tends to heat up a space and the objects in it. Controlling light is very important in controlling heat gain and reducing energy consumption. Proper engineering can also help reduce energy losses at night.

Glassprimer™ glass paint makes a permanent bond with glass surfaces. Once cured, the paint will not chip, fade or peel, even in direct sunlight. It’s suitable for both interior and exterior use, too! 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: Phil Manker, via Flickr.com

Intrigued by glass cabinet fronts? Us too!

Intrigued by glass cabinet fronts? Us too!

/in ,

Intrigued by glass cabinet fronts? Us too!

Intrigued by glass cabinet fronts? Us too!

Kitchens seem to age faster than the rest of the house. Maybe it’s because we spend so much time in the kitchen, or maybe it’s because the kitchen is one of the hardest-working rooms in the house. In any case, updating the kitchen is on just about everyone’s to-do list.

One quick, easy way to refresh kitchen cabinets is by laminating them with glass, or Plexiglas™. Glass just works well in the kitchen. It’s easy to clean, requires no special care and can add an elegant touch to a space. As an added bonus, it can open up a space – a plus for small kitchens.

You can use glass or Plexiglas™ in the kitchen to similar effect. Glass can be cut into virtually any shape and comes in whatever size you’re looking for. Plexiglas™ has the added benefit of being lightweight. If you’re working with solid cabinetry, and you just want to update the fronts, using a lightweight piece of glass to laminate the fronts may work out well.

If your cabinets are older, or not as rugged as they used to be, Plexiglas™ can give you much the same look minus the weight of glass. Both glass and Plexiglas™ bond easily using silicone adhesives, and they can be painted in virtually any color, using a paint like Glassprimer™ glass paint.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is easy to apply to precut glass or Plexiglas™, but it’s also rugged enough to stand up to cutting after the paint’s been applied! You can get exceptional coverage for about $1 per square foot, so it’s economical as well.

In addition, Glassprimer™ glass paint bonds permanently with both glass and Plexiglas™. It will not chip, fade or peel once it’s cured, which means it will stand up to whatever you’re dishing up in the kitchen!

Whether you intend to backpaint backsplashes, countertops or cabinet fronts, Glassprimer™ glass paint is your go-to decorating choice in the kitchen. 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: Jenny Addison, via Flickr.com

Glass Countertops Can Add Upscale Touch

Glass Countertops Can Add Upscale Touch

/in ,

Glass Countertops Can Add Upscale Touch

Glass Countertops Can Add Upscale Touch

If you’re looking for a way to elevate your kitchen’s game, consider adding glass countertops. Glass is an ideal medium for use in the kitchen, whether you put it on the walls or counters.

Glass countertops sound expensive, and perhaps even a bit dangerous, but you can get specially crafted thick glass that’s intended for use as a counter or bar surface. Make no mistake about it: glass countertops are heavy, so you’ll need to have a very sturdy base to hold them up.

You can buy glass for countertop use in thicknesses of 4″ or greater. Glass is ideal for countertop use. It resists scratching and doesn’t fade. When tempered, it can tolerate significant changes in temperature, and it’s impervious, so it won’t absorb bacteria and other unpleasantries that you’re likely to encounter in the kitchen.

Glass can be cleaned up with virtually any household cleaner and can be sanitized easily. In slab form, you don’t have seams to worry about, so grout failure, discoloration and staining don’t come into play. The glass surface itself is also unstainable.

You can back paint glass countertops very easily, using a product like Glassprimer™ glass paint. Simply apply paint in the color of your choice, and choose the number of coats that will achieve your desired saturation. Once the paint has cured, flip it over, install it painted-side down and you have a working surface, ready to go!

The paint is ideal for kitchen duty. It won’t peel or chip like ordinary paints will. The kitchen is a high-humidity environment, so paints (even wall paints) typically delaminate, chip and fade with regular cleaning. You won’t find that with Glassprimer™ glass paint because the paint actually bonds permanently to the surface of the glass. It’s also highly UV-resistant, which means it won’t fade, even in direct sunlight.

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

Photo Credit: Nancy Hugo, CKD, via Flickr.com

Glass design trends: Outdoor rooms

Glass design trends: Outdoor rooms

/in , ,

Glass design trends: Outdoor rooms

Glass design trends: Outdoor rooms

If you haven’t heard of outdoor rooms, that’s ok. You’ve certainly seen them. They’re spaces that blur the boundaries between a home’s interior and its exterior. Outdoor rooms may make extensive use of glass – big glass – and create a space that’s both livable and lovable.

Connecting with the outdoors is desirable, no matter what climate you’re in. Outdoor rooms may incorporate arbors, or they may use or extend a home’s existing structure. They often feature large, operable windows and doors that cover an entire non-load bearing side of a home.

Glass is ideal for outdoor rooms

Outdoor rooms may accommodate a variety of activities, but entertaining is certainly high on their to-do lists. They may feature kitchens, relaxation spaces and lots of fresh air and sunshine.

Outdoor rooms need to be rugged enough to tolerate sun, rain and seasonal weather, so materials that can stand the test of time are favored. Natural materials like stone and wood fare well in outdoor room designs. Manmade materials, like pavers, glass and concrete also work well in outdoor spaces.

Just because a material is natural doesn’t mean it can’t be decorated. The great outdoors can be brutal, so you’ll need materials that can stand up to the things that Mother Nature dishes out. Glassprimer™ glass paint is an ideal coating for outdoor projects.

While Glassprimer™ glass paint is designed to work with glass, it also works well with other impervious materials like stone and metal. In addition to durability, Glassprimer™ glass paint offers incredible UV resistance. That means your colors will stand up for years, even in direct sunlight.

Glassprimer™ glass paint bonds permanently with the surface it’s applied to, so it won’t chip, fade or peel, even in direct sunlight or high humidity. Because the paint is rugged, it also cleans well.

If you’re looking for more inspiration for your outdoor room, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Ben Freedman, via Flickr.com