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Painted glass or stained glass?

Painted glass or stained glass?

Painted glass or stained glass?

Painted glass or stained glass?

If you’ve paid attention to the stained glass industry, you know that there’s a significant controversy that’s arising around stained glass. Stained glass has been used for decorative purposes since the Middle Ages. The “stained” portion of stained glass relies on the inclusion and melting of heavy metals to create the intense colors that stained glass is known for.

Heavy metals are toxic. They include mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and a host of others that are equally bad. The conventional wisdom says that once encased in glass, the metals are harmless. Generally, that’s true, but traditional stained glass production methods mean that stained glass can still pose a danger to human health.

For example, the metal that separates stained glass segments is traditionally (but not always) made of lead. Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass work stands out in part because he did not use lead in many of his works. (He used copper, especially on his lamp shades.)

The lead strips that hold the stained glass in place are an ongoing source of lead dust. The metal sloughs off lead particles, which can then become airborne. For this reason, many people with lead glass windows in their homes have elected to remove and replace the windows, or encase them to reduce their exposure to lead. Production problems in the stained glass industry are also calling into question the long-term availability of stained glass.

Painted glass is emerging as a substitute for traditional stained glass. Many well known “stained glass” works are actually painted! . Painted glass has a different effect, but offers a similar artistic experience. Painted glass has the benefit of not being toxic to handle or produce, and not emitting toxic particles following manufacture and installation.

Painted glass is emerging as a viable substitute for stained glass. Under proper conservation, painted glass can last for hundreds of years.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Ninniane , via Flickr.com

Need frosted glass? Make your own!

Need frosted glass? Make your own!

Need frosted glass? Make your own!

Need frosted glass? Make your own!

Frosted glass has a lot of upside, especially if you’re trying to create privacy or cover up an unattractive view. True frosted glass is made in one of two ways: mechanically or chemically. Mechanically frosted glass is created when ordinary glass is sandblasted. The surface of the glass is lightly abraded by the sandblasting process. Because the surface is obliterated, the glass is no longer transparent, although it is translucent.

The same effect can be achieved with a chemical etching process. As with sandblasting, the surface of the glass is modified, leaving behind non-transparent glass. In either case, true frosted glass can run anywhere between $3 and $30 per square foot. There’s no doubt that it’s useful, but it can also be expensive.

An alternative to frosted glass is glass paint. Glassprimer™ glass paint is specially formulated to bond permanently with the surface of the glass. Once Glassprimer™ glass paint is cured, the paint will not delaminate, fade or chip. A special frosted effect can deliver the look and benefits of frosted glass for about $1 per square foot. And unlike frosted glass, Glassprimer™ glass paint can be tinted to match virtually any color from any major paint manufacturer. That means you can easily incorporate glass paint into your decorating scheme.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is an excellent solution for concealing an unattractive view. That can certainly happen, especially in densely constructed urban areas. Painted glass can provide privacy, and offers a durable solution that will not fade, even in direct sunlight.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Jaysin Trevino , via Flickr.com

How difficult is it to backpaint glass?

How difficult is it to backpaint glass?

How difficult is it to backpaint glass?

How difficult is it to backpaint glass?

Home decorating projects can sometimes take on a life of their own. What seems easy or straightforward can often be interrupted by a host of “requirements” that you didn’t foresee. So, when a project like backpainting glass comes along, you might wonder just what you’re getting yourself into!

Backpainting glass is easy. It requires no special tools, no special training, no difficult preparation and it isn’t expensive, either. It’s an ideal project, even if you’re new to home improvement.

Glassprimer™ glass paint can be applied with ordinary painting tools, including brushes, rollers, sponges or a high volume, low pressure paint sprayer. All of these applicators are available at your local home improvement store.

Surface preparation for backpainted glass is straightforward. Ordinary alcohol, fine-grit steel wool, and cheap paper towels round out your list of necessary supplies. Whether you intend to backpaint glass or Plexiglas™, this materials list stays the same. You may want to protect your hands with a pair of rubber gloves, especially if your hands are sensitive to rubbing alcohol.

When you’re ready to paint, prepare your surface by washing it with alcohol. Lay the workpiece on a horizontal surface, and pour alcohol on it. Using the steel wool, remove any surface dirt, adhesives, oil or fingerprints. Dry the surface until it’s “squeaky clean” with the paper towels. Here’s a tip – don’t use really expensive paper towels. The store-brand cheapies actually work best because they’re unlikely to leave “lint” behind on the surface of the glass.

That’s it! Easy!

Apply the paint with the applicator of your choice. We recommend a high-volume, low-pressure sprayer. It’s the most economical way to provide complete, even coverage across the surface of the glass. You can also get great coverage using a roller, brush or sponge. Once you’ve applied the paint, let it dry for about two hours before you attempt to handle the piece. Allow the coat to dry completely before adding extra coats. The thicker the coat of paint, the more drying time you’ll want to allow. Generally, a sprayer provides the thinnest and most even coverage. Rollers and brushes create thicker coats. If you use a brush or roller, allow extra drying time between coats.

Wipe up any drips immediately with a wet cloth. After you’ve finished painting the piece, allow it to dry completely before mounting it. Use a neutral-cure silicone adhesive to mount your masterpiece, and that’s it!

Backpainted glass is one of the easiest, least expensive and most elegant home improvement projects you can create.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Photocapy, via Flickr.com

Glass goes to work

Glass goes to work

Glass goes to work

Glass goes to work

Here’s an interesting fact: ten years ago, the average employee office space measured about 250 square feet. Today, the average employee office space measures about 175 feet. That’s a 30% reduction in space. Not surprisingly, the average cost per square foot has risen in the same time by about 30%. In certain cities, the cost of office space has risen even higher. Cost pressures, availability and the need to manage growth may all have an impact on the choice of location. Creative use of space – including the use of glass – may help expand a small space.

While you may not be able to do much about the cost of a space, or you may be asked to do more with less room, your space doesn’t have to “look” small. Interior spaces tend to get closed off by the construction of interior walls. While interior walls create privacy, they can be counterproductive in an office space.

That’s why many office designers are turning to glass to visually recapture”lost” or reconfigured space. The transparency of glass allows natural light to penetrate a space. It allows the eye to see through a space, which can naturally make it look larger.

When used in interior design, glass can also offer superior sound reduction. Because it’s a hard surface, many people think that sound will carry well. Glass is actually an excellent audio insulator, so the use of glass dividers in a space actually reduces ambient noise.

Glass can also be worked into any decorating scheme. Glassprimer™ glass paint, used strategically, can create privacy without interfering with the transmission of natural light. You’ll still get the benefits of glass, the privacy that certain spaces demand, and at about $1 per square foot, Glassprimer™ glass paint is economical, too!

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: BFI Business Furniture , via Flickr.com

Small space? Glass paint is your solution!

Small space? Glass paint is your solution!

Small space? Glass paint is your solution!

Small space? Glass paint is your solution!

If you’re looking to decorate a small space, and don’t have a lot of time or money to work with, you can still create a great effect using either glass or Plexiglas™. A small space could be a dining nook, an entryway, a powder room or a small galley-type kitchen.

Entryways take a lot of abuse. Mud, water, snow and dirt all get tracked into an entryway. Pets add another dimension – especially if they’re given to shaking off their muddy, wet coats! You can dress up your entryway quickly and inexpensively by creating a glass or Plexiglas™ liner for the walls.

Backpainting the glass or Plexiglas™ prior to laminating it to the walls will ensure that your entryway will always look fresh and cheerful, and cleanup will be a snap!

Got a small dining nook, powder room or other similar space that needs a little attention? You can provide a splash of color by applying a backpainted glass or Plexiglas™ surface to the walls. Both glass and Plexiglas™ are inexpensive and can be precisely cut to fit your space. Glassprimer™ glass paint can provide coverage for about $1 per square foot. It’s highly economical, requires no special tools to apply or mount, and can be added to, modified or removed easily. It’s a great way to decorate a rental space, and it’s easy to remove when the lease is up.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Shehan Peruma , via Flickr.com

Glass as a wall covering

Glass as a wall covering

Glass as a wall covering

Glass as a wall covering

Glass is typically used in windows and doors. In some interior spaces, glass is also used to divide the space without visually reducing it. Glass can also be used creatively to laminate interior surfaces.

As a laminate, glass offers a number of options. First, it offers a premium appearance, but it’s comparatively inexpensive. It can be purchased locally and trimmed to fit virtually any layout. Glass can also be painted with a specially formulated paint that’s specially designed to bond with the glass surface.

Backpainting the glass and laminating it to the wall can give a space an elegant appearance that’s exceptionally easy to maintain. Although glass can be heavy, it can also be purchased in relatively thin sheets, and a thin sheet of glass can deliver the same visual benefits as a thicker panel. Over large surfaces, it’s still very possible to use thin glass and achieve a great effect without adding excessive weight to a space or making the glass panels difficult to handle.

Backpainted glass can also be used in demanding areas, like a kitchen or bathroom. Because Glassprimer™ glass paint makes a permanent bond with the glass, it stands up to high heat and humidity. It won’t delaminate. That means your glass laminates will look good year after year.

Glass can be mounted securely to a wall or other surface using neutral-cure silicone adhesive. The Glassprimer™ glass paint will hide the adhesive, so it won’t be visible from the exposed side of the glass. In addition, silicone adhesive has enough strength to keep the glass bonded securely to the surface until you’re ready to remove it.

Glass is also an environmentally friendly material, and doesn’t leach noxious chemicals or by-products, like some synthesized products can.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Phil Manker , via Flickr.com

Glass can open up a small space

Glass can open up a small space

Glass can open up a small space

Glass can open up a small space

Competing priorities are making some big demands on designers. On one hand, people want to have enough space to move, work, relax and feel comfortable. On the other hand, people are becoming exceptionally aware of the true cost of sprawl. The desire to minimize one’s footprint – whether being driven by space, energy consumption, or some other factor – is also impacting design. So, do you design “big,” or do you aim for small? With glass, designers can actually do both!

Glass is a great medium for opening up a small space. Used in the context of a window, glass can either literally or figuratively open up a small space. Operable windows provide the benefit of light and air circulation, but glass has the disadvantage of increasing energy consumption via loss.

Windows aren’t the only application for glass, though. Used as walls or dividers in an interior space, glass can be just as effective at opening up a space. Used in interior applications, glass has the benefit of adding sound insulation, and can help transmit natural light. It can also create the impression of space.

The variety of glass on the market means that designers have a lot of options when working with glass in interior design. Patterned, frosted or painted glass can add privacy in certain areas, without sacrificing the transmission of light – which is what can make a small space look big.

Painted glass also has the advantage of being able to coordinate with the color palette of the interior design. A product like Glassprimer™ glass paint can be tinted to match the paint palette of virtually every major paint manufacturer, and can provide light and heat control as needed.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Josh Bancroft , via Flickr.com

Want to live in a glass house? Just don't throw stones

Want to live in a glass house? Just don’t throw stones

Want to live in a glass house? Just don't throw stones

Want to live in a glass house? Just don’t throw stones

Few people would want to live in a glass house, outside of architect Philip Johnson. If you’ve ever wondered what the experience would be like, however, you can visit the Baglioni Hotel Carlton in Milan Italy. The hotel offers a glass house that was inspired by Philip Johnson’s residence in New Caanan, CT.

The Baglioni Hotel Carlton’s glass house is a complete residence. It features a bedroom for two, a living room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. It also has a sauna, a steam room and fitness equipment. It’s outfitted with modern furniture, and offers a 21st century twist on Philip Johnson’s iconic glass house. The home features solar panels and automated controls for everything in the house.

One thing the house doesn’t have is window treatments. The entire home (minus the bathroom) is visible from the outside. Fortunately, the property is also very secluded, so you’re unlikely to encounter nosy neighbors or gawkers. The house is located in the Monferrato Valley, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The hotel has teamed up with Dream&Charme to make the property available for guests. While the house itself sleeps only two people, the property features a large garden and outdoor seating for 10. In addition to overnight stays, the property is made available for small, exclusive events. The package typically includes a nod to the local area, which is known for both its wine production and its truffles. So, how much will staying in a completely luxurious and ultra-private glass house set you back? The going rate is about $3,200 per night.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Mark B. Schlemmer, via Flickr.com

Go wild with glass tiles

Go wild with glass tiles

Go wild with glass tiles

Go wild with glass tiles

If you’re looking to update the look of your home, consider adding glass tiles to your list of decorating options. Glass tiles have a lot of upside, and they may fit in perfectly to your long-term decorating plans.

Glass tiles come in a range of shapes and sizes. They also come in a variety of colors. Glass tile walls often feature a mixture of colors and shapes, creating a mosaic appearance on the finished wall. Glass tiles can be set individually, just like other tiles. You can also purchase pre-set glass tiles, which you would apply to a wall or countertop to create a mosaic without the need to set each tile individually.

Another alternative to glass tiles is backpainted glass. Backpainted glass is exceptionally versatile, and easy to create in place. Glass doesn’t normally take ordinary paint. While ordinary paint will dry on the glass surface, it peels and chips easily, especially in high humidity areas of your home, like bathrooms and kitchens.

A specially formulated paint for glass, like Glassprimer™ glass paint, will bond permanently to the glass surface. This guarantees that the paint you apply to the glass will stay in place after you’ve mounted the glass to a wall or other surface.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is also UV-resistant, which means that it will not fade, even when exposed to direct sunlight. Further, Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used for either interior or exterior projects, and cleans up with ordinary paint thinner. Glassprimer™ glass paint also comes in a water-based formulation that cleans up with water. Both formulations of Glassprimer™ glass paint are classified as low-VOC paints, which means that you won’t have to deal with noxious paint fumes while you’re creating your project.

Backpainted glass is actually easier and less expensive to create and apply than glass tiles are. Backpainted glass can be created for about $1 per square foot, and can be applied to a wall or surface with neutral-cure silicone adhesive, which is commonly available in home improvement stores.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Anne Slaughter, via Flickr.com

Stained glass makes a comeback

Stained glass makes a comeback

Stained glass makes a comeback

Stained glass makes a comeback

Stained glass has been in the news recently, and not always in a positive way. Recently, stained glass manufacturers have come under increasing federal and state scrutiny, largely because of their furnace emissions. Stained glass colorants are typically derived from heavy metals like arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium. Recent testing of air, soil and water around even small glass furnaces shows an elevated level of these toxic heavy metals. The test results have caused the US EPA and state agencies to reconsider emissions waivers they’d previously granted to smaller scale glass furnaces.

Stained glass artists have bemoaned the potential demise of “true” stained glass. To meet regulatory compliance, stained glass furnaces must install expensive particle filtration units that recapture the toxic emissions. Even when the filtration systems have been installed, rainwater runoff from the factory roofs have deposited high levels of toxic heavy metals into the soils surrounding the plants. One Portland, OR glass furnace has chosen to relocate its facilities to Mexico to avoid having to comply with US air quality standards.

Another concern regarding stained glass is its lead content. Leaded glass windows were common in upscale homes in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Lead particles from the glazing are constantly being shed, and pose an ongoing lead hazard. Athough the windows may have historical significance, many homeowners have chosen to remove the windows as part of a lead abatement plan for their living spaces.

Does this mean the end of stained glass? Not entirely. Although stained glass windows are rightly classified as artworks and offer some very intricate details, some of the “stained glass” windows we prize so highly are actually painted glass. Glass painting can produce some exceptional results, which compare favorably with traditional stained glass.

Glass painting has been around for centuries, and with modern glass paint compounds, a skilled artist can create a “stained glass” appearance with glass paint. Today’s glass paint contains none of the hazardous materials that traditional stained glass windows contain. A compound like Glassprimer™ glass paint bonds permanently to the glass surface without the need for heat curing, and will not chip, fade or peel, even when exposed to direct sunlight.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can help reduce solar heat gain in some applications. 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: Just1Snap, via Flickr.com