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Mosaic glass tiles are trending in design

Glass tiles are trending in design

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Mosaic glass tiles are trending in design

Mosaic glass tiles are trending in design

Glass in all of its forms is going strong as a design trend. The latest entries in glass decorating include glass tiles, patterned tiles and mosaic tiles. There’s nothing new about mosaics, or even patterned tiles. They’ve been around for hundreds (and in some cases, thousands) of years. But homeowners are incorporating them into their kitchens and baths.

Whether you go for glass on the floors, walls or even the ceilings, glass tiles are a hit in a big way. If you’re not good at laying down a bed of mortar, or don’t have the patience to line up little tiles, consider creating a back painted surface instead.

Back painted glass is easy to make, easy to install and easy to maintain. You can use back painted glass on the wall as a backsplash or just an interesting surface. You can also use it to reface cabinets or create beautiful countertops.

Glass is easy to clean and it’s impervious to bacteria. That makes it a natural choice for heavy-duty areas of your home like the kitchen and bathroom. If safety is a concern, you can use tempered glass, which is heat- and shatter-resistant. You can also get thick glass custom-cut for use on countertops.

As an added benefit, you can enhance the already-dramatic appearance of glass through lighting. Worried about color? No problem there, either! Glassprimer™ glass paint is specially formulated to adhere to glass surfaces. Paint one side of the glass using your favorite color, and once the paint is dry, flip it over and install it with the unpainted side facing outward.

You’ll get an exceptionally easy-to-make and easy-to-care for surface for your home that will perform flawlessly for years. Making back painted glass is an ideal do-it-yourself project that requires no special skills and ordinary supplies!

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

Photo Credit: Claire Thompson, via Flickr.com

Kitchen remodels that retain their roots

Kitchen remodels that retain their roots

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Kitchen remodels that retain their roots

Kitchen remodels that retain their roots

When people talk about kitchen remodeling, they almost invariably say that they’re “getting a brand new kitchen.” Remodeling can be a big undertaking, but it doesn’t always have to involve a complete renovation. You can get a lot of mileage from kitchen remodels that retain their roots.

Secrets to successful kitchen remodels

The median age of housing stock in the United States is currently 35 years. That means 50% of the houses in this country were built before 1981. That’s figure is important because it explains the size and strength of the remodeling market. The remodeling market is estimated to be worth about $76B annually in the US, and with the average remodel weighing in at $28,000, that means more than 2.7 million American homes get kitchen remodels each year.

Extensive kitchen remodels can be expensive. The majority of kitchen remodels in the US cost between $25,000 and $50,000. Typically, people report either under-budgeting or overspending on remodels. Those hoping to spend less than $10,000 reported the greatest gap between what they’d planned and what actually happened.

A house design typically reflects the period in which it was built. The most effective kitchen remodels, therefore, take into account the design of the rest of the house. If you live in an older house, you may be wondering what you can do to update your kitchen without compromising the original design of the home.

For example, older homes weren’t designed with an open floor plan. Rooms were discrete divisions within the home, usually defined by walls. If you want to apply an open floor plan to an older home, you’ll need to determine whether the walls between rooms are integral to the structure. If so, you may not be able to remove them safely.

One way in which you can improve the effectiveness of kitchen remodels is by using materials that are “true” to the time period in which the home was built. By using (or re-using) original materials, or by incorporating materials that would have been used during the home’s construction, you can help ensure that your remodeling work will harmonize with the rest of the home.

Older homes made extensive use of wood, tile and glass in their original designs. In part, these materials were plentiful. They were also durable. Choosing to work with these materials in your remodeling design can help make “new work” feel at home in a new design.

Colors can also help incorporate remodeling work into an existing space. Using colors that harmonize with each other, and match color palettes that were in use at the time of original construction.

Successful remodeling delivers useful updates. That may mean introducing new appliances, new wiring, or an entirely new layout to accommodate the way people use their kitchens today. Kitchens are very public places, but they’re also work spaces. They have a job to do!

Glass is very much at home in older spaces. It can be used effectively in backsplashes, surface coverings, cabinet fronts and countertops.

Thanks to Glassprimer™ glass paint, it can also be painted any color. Glassprimer™ glass paint bonds permanently to glass surfaces, and provides exceptional resistance to UV radiation.

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

Photo Credit: Nancy , 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

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

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

How to remove glass paint

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How to remove glass paint

How to remove glass paint

When you’re painting, it’s very common to get a little overspray, or drip a bit of paint in a place you didn’t intend to. One question we get often is, “How do you remove glass paint?” Glass paint is designed to make a permanent bond with glass, so if you’re going to remove glass paint, you’ll need to remove it as soon as possible after applying it!

You can remove glass paint – for a short time!

The key is to remove glass paint before it bonds to the glass. Glassprimer™ glass paint is designed to cure within 24-72 hours of application. The permanent bond with the glass surface will occur within about two weeks of application. Once the permanent bond has formed, it’s generally not possible to remove Glassprimer™ glass paint.

It helps to understand a little bit about what happens when and how paint dries. Paint formulas include solvents, which allow the paint to spread easily. The solvents are designed to evaporate, leaving behind the color and binder.

How paint dries depends upon a number of factors, including how many coats of paint were applied, how thick each coat is and the relative humidity in the workspace. These factors can also determine how successful you’ll be if you need to remove paint. Thicker coats take longer to dry because more solvents need to evaporate. If you’re painting in “dry” air (less than 50% humidity), your paint will dry faster. The dryer your workspace is, the faster the paint will dry. Likewise, if you’re painting in space that has high humidity, your paint will dry more slowly.

Paint also hardens as it dries. “Hardening” means that the paint achieves a “solid” shell-like state that resists damage. When the paint is both “dry” and “hard”, it is “cured.” A paint can be dry to the touch without having hardened, but it cannot harden without drying.

The Glassprimer™ glass paint formula also includes a catalyst which allows the paint to cure rapidly – within 72 hours of application. Without the catalyst, it would take the paint as much as a year to cure! All of this points to one thing: you need to work quickly to remove glass paint after it’s been applied!

For accidental drips, your best bet is to wipe them up right away – before the paint has even dried. Use acetone or a standard paint stripper to catch any “accidental coverage.” Sometimes, it’s better to wait until the paint has dried to the touch before you attempt to handle the workpiece. Glassprimer™ glass paint can dry to the touch in about 2 hours or less, but you’ll need to give your project a few hours before you attempt to handle it. This will help you avoid damaging the paint you don’t want to remove.

Before the paint has cured, you can remove it with acetone. If you accidentally remove more paint than you intended, no worries. You can reprepare the surface and reapply Glassprimer™ glass paint. Your newly applied paint will blend expertly with the paint that remains on the surface.

For large scale removals, lay the workpiece paint-side up on a flat surface, or on the ground. Apply a standard paint stripper to the work and let the paint stripper soak into the paint. Once the stripper softens the paint, you can remove it easily with a scraper, a hose or a pressure washer. When you’re ready to repaint, re-prepare the surface, as you the first time you painted it, using alcohol and steel wool.

For stubborn spots, you can repeat the stripping and cleaning process. Once the paint has been softened, you can also use a single-edged razor blade to remove stubborn spots.

If you’re trying to work with paint that has already permanently bonded with glass, you may want to consider replacement, rather than trying to recondition the glass. If you’d like more information about removing glass paint, please visit us at glasspaint.com.

Photo Credit: , via Flickr.com

Glass paint cleaning tips

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Glass paint cleaning tips

Glass paint cleaning tips

No painting project is complete until it’s cleaned up, and the same is true for a glass paint project. Cleaning up your glass paint project is easy, as long as you have the right materials on hand. Paint is solvent-based, and as the solvent dissipates, the paint dries and cures. Therefore, the quicker you act on your clean up, the cleaner your painting tools will be!

How to clean glass paint from your painting tools


Solvents are essential to clean up glass paint, but they can be dangerous to your health. Protective clothing is essential, as are protective coverings for your hands and eyes. Work in a ventilated area, because solvent gasses can “pool,” making it difficult to breathe and potentially creating other hazards. Some solvents are flammable, or explosive, so keeping their fumes away from ignition source and well diluted with fresh air is a must!

Cleaning a HVLP paint sprayer is essential to its continued use. HPLV sprayers have some small pieces that can get clogged with paint easily, so a quick cleanup of the parts is in order. Paint dries quickly, so empty any remaining paint from the sprayer and break it down immediately after use. Once the parts are separated, use acetone to clean the individual sprayer parts. Acetone will eliminate dried and drying paint on your sprayer components. You can use an acetone-soaked cloth or brush to clear out the body of the sprayer.

For the smaller parts, run a stream of acetone through the sprayer parts for about 30-60 seconds. You can also soak HPLV parts in acetone, or use small brushes or pipe cleaners to clean nozzles and other small parts. Rinse the cleaned parts to remove any remaining acetone and set them aside to dry.

Acetone will also clean paint brushes, so if you’ve applied Glassprimer™ glass paint with brushes, dip the brush end into acetone and allow it to soften and dissolve paint. Acetone is very harsh, so use high quality, natural fiber brushes. Don’t dip the brush tip more than half—way into the paint. This will help you avoid getting paint into the base of the brush. You could also “prime” the brush with acetone by dipping it all the way into acetone and letting the brush dry before using it.

Acetone will soften and in some cases, dissolve, plastic. Do not use acetone to recover inexpensive plastic brushes. If you’ve used inexpensive brushes, your best bet is to cover them in foil or plastic food wrap and dispose of them.

If you’ve chosen to use good quality, mohair rollers with a solvent-resistant core, you can use acetone to clean the roller nap once you’ve finished your glass paint project. Inexpensive rollers tend to have plastic cores, which – like plastic paint brushes – won’t fare well in acetone. If you’ve used inexpensive, plastic core rollers, you may want to wrap them carefully and discard them instead of trying to clean them. (A melty plastic roller can make a big mess!)

If you’d like more information about working with glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’re ready to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store at glasspaint.com.

Photo Credit: farrahsanjari, via Flickr.com