In today’s busy world, it takes everyone in the family helping to keep it on track and on schedule. We all have to pitch in, lend a hand, and pull our weight to keep things from getting frantic. You should expect the same thing from the hardworking surfaces in your home. Low maintenance surfaces that are easy to clean are a must. But is that enough?

Back-painted glass, like Dreamwalls Color Glass, is definitely easy to maintain and clean. The lack of grout makes a surface that doesn’t absorb stains or mildew. The smooth surface allows any food or mess to be cleaned off easily. But glass does something other surfaces do not,….it helps you stay on track and communicate better with your family,…really!

You can write directly on glass with dry erase markers. The markers won’t stain or ghost, and the backsplash is a great place to jot down grocery lists so they’re easy for everyone in the family to see or amend.

Dreamwalls Backpainted Glass Backsplash Grocery List

When backpainted glass is used as cabinet inserts, you can write reminders at eye level, so every time you reach for the coffee or cereal it’s front and center.

Dreamwalls Color Glass Back Painted Glass Message Reminder

But glass is also fantastic for recipes and checklists that can easily be erased or marked through as each step is completed. Wouldn’t it be a good way to have a chore board – so the kids can erase tasks themselves upon completion?

Dreamwalls Backpainted Glass Recipe

But who says it only has to be about tasks, chores, lists or “to-dos”? Back-painted glass can also be used for those little notes of support, gratitude and love that can mean the difference between an early start and a GREAT start to your day. And every family member can use more of that.

Dreamwalls Color Glass Backpainted Glass Note of Support

High Point Market is always full of inspiration, but this year seems more optimistic and energized than in recent years. Maybe it is my attitude, but showrooms seem more friendly to the independent designer than ever before,…easier to work with through their business policies, more focused on creating fun with their pieces. I realized this year, that I’ve been going to Market in various roles for over 20 years now; temporary spaces, permanent showrooms, as a product designer, as an interior designer, and as a blogger/style spotter. As one of my friends said, “You really know how to get around!” So, yeah,…I guess I finally do.

Here are a few things that I’ve gotten right over the years:

1) Park at Oak Hollow Mall and take the shuttle. You never have to wait more than 5 minutes and you might meet someone interesting on the ride over. Plus, you avoid a huge number of stop lights, and it’s free.

2) My Teva slip ons are the only shoe that have worked for me. I broke my foot last year, so I make sure to baby them even more now,…but they even work better than running shoes, my converse, or flip-flops.

3) Do the seminars. The vast majority are free, and many will also feed you. You might get to make some real connections with the speakers, the people at your table, and gain some insight into design processes, business models, and buyer psychology that you’ve not ever thought about before.

4) Smile. Smile big. Smile often. You are very lucky to be there, and the people who man the booths work extremely long, hard hours. Make their day a little brighter. Don’t flirt, but be positive.

5) Take a big bag, but don’t fill it all the way up. If you do it right, you’ll gather more small postcards and business cards than big catalogs; but if you happen to find a catalog you MUST have, it’s nice to have the room. It’s also a good place to put your cardigan, your phone charging cord (believe me), your sunglasses/umbrella, and a bottled water that you should take everytime it’s offered to you. (gotta stay hydrated people)

6) The women’s bathrooms on 11th floor of the IHFC building outside of the ballrooms are the nicest ones.

7) Take business cards. Yes, almost every showroom has a scanner, but they want to write notes and immediate reminders about you. Take more than you think you need.

I realize my choice of footwear is not the most stylish (see #2). That being said, still try to dress up a bit. Show some style, take some pride, and be respectful to the opportunity. I’m Southern, so dressing nice = respect.

9) Leave the kids at home. Seriously. The rules say no one under 15, but I always see a number of kids there. It’s distracting to see young ones so unhappy, and they’re always unhappy to be there.

10) Think about your elevator pitch in advance. When people you meet ask you about your business, what will you say?

The glass shower industry, like all industries, has its own terminology. Below is a short list of some of the glass shower terms a designer should know if they’re designing a bath featuring a glass shower enclosure.

Glossary of Glass Shower Terms

Annealed glass: regular float glass. It is glass that has NOT been heat treated. By law, it is not suitable for glass shower enclosures.

Barrier-free: in terms of handicap access, this refers to an enclosure system that has minimal or no bottom track or curb. Depending on the overal shower size and designs, this is part of a universal design system and my make this style ADA compliant.

Bug: The term for the logo that indicates that a piece of glass is tempered safety glass.  The “bug” may vary, but will always contain a reference to the American National Standards Institute standard ANSI Z-97.1. For aesthetic reasons, you can choose to NOT have the bug placed, but the request must be made IN WRITING at the time of the order. The manufacturer can then provide documentation that the piece is, in fact, tempered.

Clear glass: glass that is transparent. (for extra-clear, ultra-clear, or low-iron; please see the definition under “low-iron glass”)

Curb: the threshold of a shower that the enclosure is placed on top of, usually made of tile, marble or fiberglass.

Curved glass: glass that has been specially formed to fit into a circular floor plan.

Custom enclosure: an enclosure that requires a special size of tempered glass and framework.

Etched glass: glass that has a design cut into its surface to create a frosted appearance. For shower enclosures, this effect is created by acid-etching, since sandblasted glass would not stand up to the soap, oils or cleaners which may be present in a shower. Digital printing can create a simulated etched effect.

Fixed panels: the glass or plastic panels of an enclosure that are stationary.

Framed: a bath enclosure system that mounts all glass panels within a metal frame.  Usually a lower-end or off-the-shelf style of shower.

Frameless: a bath enclosure system that minimizes the amount of metal used to hold the system panels and door in place. The edge of the glass is exposed, but finished with a safe, flat polished edge.

Heavy glass: glass used in many frameless enclosures. Usually 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch in thickness. It is still required to be tempered.

Laminated glass: A minimum of two pieces of glass with a middle layer of vinyl which is the heat and pressure treated. The vinyl layer keeps the glass intact when broken and prevents body parts from penetrating the glass pane.  It may be used interchangeably with tempered glass in shower installations. By code, all glass shower doors and enclosures must use either tempered or laminated glass in their construction.

Low-iron glass: glass that is made using less iron and other minerals during float manufacturing process to create a transparent glass that has less greenish tint. The amount of actual tint will ultimately vary due to thickness of the glass.

Neo-angle: a shower that consists of a center door and  two fixed panels at a 22.5 degree angle on either side of the door.

Obscure glass: glass that lets light through, but is not totally transparent. Acid etched glass or patterned glass are examples.

Patterned glass: glass that has a repeating shape embedded in the glass. May be transparent or obscure.

Printed glass: glass that has been printed with a design using permanent inks. May be screenprinted, digitally printed, sprayed, curtain-coated or printed in some other manner for transparency, translucency, or opacity.

Reflective glass: glass that bounces back at least some of the light that strikes it.  This kind of glass is commonly called a one-way, or transparent, mirror. The amount of transparency or reflection depends on the strength and location of the light source.

Return panels: fixed panels that are set at a 90° angle to the shower door or other panels.

Steam bath: an enclosure that is usually equipped with special plumbing to create steam. The door itself either runs from the floor to the ceiling or has a top with special seals to contain the steam. Transoms may be incorporated to regulate the steam levels.

Tempered glass: glass that has been heat-treated by a process of gradually heating and cooling. Once a piece of glass has been tempered it cannot later be cut. If it breaks, it breaks into many small pieces. By code, all glass shower doors and enclosures must use either tempered or laminated glass.

Textured glass: glass that has been made with a texture on its surface that creates a translucent effect.  This is the same concept as patterned glass, but may also be textured using deep acid etching or a printed coating. May refer to non-slip or increased-traction surfaces.

Tinted glass: glass that is made during the float process with a transparent color running through it. Gray, Bronze, and Blue are the most common tints, but Pink Rosa, Green, and other tints are possible.

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What are some terms that you used regularly in bathroom enclosure design? Is there some term or bit of jargon you really hate using? What are some of  your favorite features to include in shower enclosures?

2012 is drawing to a close. It’s the time of year to review accomplishments and progress of the past year. It’s important to know where you’re going, by knowing where you’ve been. So this week, we’re reviewing the Dreamwalls top posts of 2012.

Number 5: “Five Backsplash Project Questions to Answer”

Number 4: “Dreamwalls Whiteboard is the Right Board”

And then there’s Number 3: The below post from the end of February is a good one because of the variety of different decorative glass, and the variety of applications:

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Friday’s post had some great holiday decorating ideas from Holly involving glass and mirror. This week I’m trying to finish up holiday shopping, and here are Five Glass Gift Ideas that you can use to make your holidays brighter.

• Let’s start out small. I bought a set of these textured, tempered glass trivets from Core Kitchen earlier this year, and they’re such a colorful pop of practicality! Mine have also caught candle wax, saved my tables from drink rings, and been beautiful serving trays,…in addition to saving my tables from hot dishes. They are for sale periodically on some of the big flash sales sites like Zulilly, Fab, or One Kings Lane, with reasonable prices at $9-$25.

Core Kitchen Colorful Glass Cutting Boards

• But if you’re looking to splurge, this lamp is on my list. Mr. Brown’s “Finlandia” Table Lamp in pale blue frosted glass retails for $700 from Candelabra and is so beautiful. I saw it at High Point last market and fell in love with it. – The large “nuggets” of glass beg to be touched and the way the light above dances down through the stack is so lovely.

Finlandia Table Lamp by Mr. Brown - At Candelabra.com

• Lone Mine glass jewelry is unlike any I’ve seen. Tracy Bull of Concord, MA crafts fused glass, polished to perfection, so it looks like unusual precious gems mined from a unicorn’s lair. (or something like that) Featured on Design Milk blog. Prices range from $62 to $102.

Lone Mine Cut Glass Gems - Etsy

• I’ve been a fan of Scandanavian company, Sagaform, ever since my husband absconded with my coffee mug.  They just design beautiful drinkware and these rocking old-fashioned glasses are no exception. Available at Walker Art Center‘s gift shop – they’re sure to help you rock around the Christmas Tree this year. 6 glasses for $26 is a price hard to beat for a design that helps even cheap whiskey look amazing.

Sagaform: Rocking Whiskey Glasses at Walker Art Center

• A microfiber cleaning cloth is a practical little stocking stuffer to help make cleaning all your glass and mirror surfaces easier – without chemicals. For under $5 at Tru Value, it’s a practical way to make your holidays a little brighter. Trust me,….once you use one of these, you’ll never go back to “the blue stuff”.  Your manicure thanks you.

Scotch Brite Cleaning Cloth: True Value

Quick: how many Dreamwalls glass items can you name? Below is a broad cross section of glass items that serve aesthetic and practical needs for residential and commercial applications. Here are just 20 to get the ball rolling….

1. High Quality Mirror
2. Back-painted Glass
3. Acid Etched Glass
4. Glass Tile
5. Heavy Glass Tabletops
6. Color Glass Counter Tops
7. Glass Dry Erase Boards
8. Antique Mirror
9. Decorative Glass Wardrobe Doors
10. Glass Shelves
11. Acid Etched Mirrors
12. Fire-rated Safety Glass
13. Glass Backsplashes
14. Dreamwalls Marble Glass
15. Tinted Mirrors
16. Low-iron Extra Bright Mirrors
17. Matte Back-painted Glass
18. High-reflectance Mirrors for Solar Applications
19. CAT-II Safety-backed mirrors
20. Tempered Glass Products

I’m certain our customers know of a number of these products, but our job is to make sure they know about ALL of them. So if you’re a glass installer or distributor who could only name 5 things we provide,…I’d encourage you to ask your salesman about something new from the above list this week. Allow us to provide a quote for you today on something new.

Time for a little education about using glass in education. Glass, and back-painted glass specifically, can be a very practical surfacing material in educational environments. When tempered, it is extremely strong; and when installed by a qualified professional, it can be just as safe as any other tile, stone, or hard surfacing material. Additionally, the “M&R” (maintenance and repair) are non-existent due to anti-fading properties and durability. Dreamwalls Glass is indeed a smart choice.

Below are just 5 of the smart places that back-painted glass can be used in educational environments:

1) Lobby Counters

For a non-porous surface that can easily cleaned with nearly any cleaner for hygienic purposes, glass is an excellent choice. With the capability to custom back-paint it to match school colors, it will also help create that “wow” moment when students and parents enter.

2) Markerboard Surfacing

Dry erase boards are the greatest surfaces for students to learn, create, explore, and collaborate. However, invariably, someone will use a permanent marker on them, or leaves the dry erase marker on too long and ghosting occurs. Glass can have the marks removed easily without ghosting. A spritz of alcohol or window cleaner can even get rid of the dreaded but oh-so-alluring “Sharpie“.  And with low-iron glass, the white color creates a strong contrast for easy viewing and reduced eye fatigue.

3) Accent Walls and Partitions

Every library and media center needs different areas for discussion, instruction, and quiet. Back-painted or acid-etched glass accent walls and partitions help delineate those spaces with flexibility and attractiveness. With the countless ways glass can be fabricated with cut-outs, selective painting, and even the application of vinyl decals; glass is a great choice for incorporating art into the space.

4) Lunchroom Surfaces

Few places take as much abuse as the lunchroom. With a product like Dreamwalls Color Glass, food cleanup is a breeze on counters, tables, and walls. It won’t even be stained by the long-forgotten spaghetti sauce. All of the food preparation areas can benefit from a surface like this, and  the custom color, size, and shape opportunities allow for creative uses.

5) Bathroom Environments

Let’s face it,…kids are messy. And when their momma isn’t there scowling at them, they are even messier. Glass can help the maintenance staff tremendously with the clean-up aftermath. It also resists sticky gum, graffiti, and fingerpaint.

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So if you think glass and kids aren’t a good fit, think again. Dreamwalls Color Glass is a colorful, durable, and hygienic surface that can be fabricated in countless ways to promote creativity and the expression of young minds.

Degredation via Aggressive Cleaning

Sometimes, you’ll notice mirrors with “black edge”. This is the result of the edges being exposed to moisture, oils, or chemicals that have corrupted the edge and separated either the layers from the glass, or the layers from one another. Does it happen with one brief exposure? Usually it is caused by repeated and prolonged exposure which can cause this damage.

Ammonia is a common – and extremely harsh – cleaning additive that can accelerate the degenerative process even faster. Hotels and other institutions often use these harsh cleaners with their maid services, and so this separation is sometimes referred to as “housekeeper’s mark”. Efficient cleaning professionals will sometimes spray the cleaner onto the mirror and other surfaces while cleaning a room, but this leads to the cleaner dripping down the face of the mirror and pooling at the edge. This is the reason why we only recommend spraying cleaners on a rag, then gently wiping the surface clean. Never directly spray a mirror with cleaner to prevent overspray or pooling at the edge.

Focus on these 5 things when caring for your mirror:

• Keep bathrooms well-ventilated during showers to avoid condensation that can run and pool at the edge
• Never use ammonia-inclusive cleaners on your mirrors
• Never spray cleaners directly on a mirror. Spray a rag first, then wipe
• Always protect the edge from excessive moisture. If you design the mirror to meet a countertop, be mindful to keep that countertop dry, or seal it with a silicone that is safe for use on mirrors.
• When in doubt, gentler is better. A clean cloth damp with water can actually clean a mirror exceedingly well. But even water should not be allowed to pool at the edge.
• An old photographer’s trick is to wipe a mirror with newsprint to avoid lint. It’s a nice finish.

To find a REALLY detailed account on how to clean mirror s from the Glass Association of North America, download the glass informational bulletin “Proper Procedures for Cleaning Flat Glass Mirrors” at the GANA website. (scroll down to the mirror division portion for all the mirror-specific bulletins).

Your client is sold on a glass back splash for their kitchen. It’s practical: easy-to-clean, non-staining, and a breeze to maintain. You are thrilled, because with custom color matching, you can get the exact match to that awesome textile you’ve chosen for the window treatments. But there are a few considerations when designing a back painted glass back splash:

1) How long is your run? 144 inches is the longest dimension offered by Dreamwalls Color Glass. If your run is longer, you’ll need to consider where you want your seams to fall and work that into your design.

2) How high do you want your backsplash to go? Consider something more than the old-fashioned 4 inch lip. Taking it all the way to the bottom of the upper cabinets is the most sensible option for the practicality offered by the surface.  But what about in areas without cabinets? Consider tying them in to the window sash, or at some other visual break within the room.

3) How many holes? Outlets, switch plates, and faucets holes, are all fabrication that adds expense, so they’re  necessary to know for preparation of a proper quote. But ideally, you don’t want a seam to fall at one of these holes to draw excess visual attention.  Consider adding matching glass outlet covers to further make these necessary elements “disappear”.

4) Tempered or annealed? Tempering adds strength to the glass, but it’s often not necessary for most back splash installations since they are mounted to a solid surface. I say most, because there are times when tempering may make sense: such as where it is in very close contact to high heat, or when high impact is a very real possibility. Tempering does add expense and limits the ability to fabricate the glass in the field. It has to come ready-to-install from the manufacturer or fabricator, so your measurements or CAD drawing needs to be as precise as possible.

5) Permanent or Changeable? Most glass back splashes are installed using an approved adhesive affixed to the wall. It’s sturdy and secure, but some clients may balk at the idea of permanence. A solid sheet of glass can also be fabricated with holes for installation using special glass grommets and screws. This allows it to be removed or replaced in the future. The holes need to conform to fabrication tolerances (which can change depending on if the glass is annealed or tempered), and you’ll also need to be sure the screws are going into solid structure to hold the weight of the glass; so this method will need to be designed and communicated early into the project.

Answering these questions early on in your design process will make your installation go smoother, and keep any unforeseen expenses from cropping up later. Glass is often one of the last items to go into a space,….but it can’t wait until the last moment to think about its design.

Glass counter top with double vanity undermount sinks

Glass is a relatively new option in counter tops. With a wide variety of decorative finishes and custom colors that can be applied to it, glass can certainly be an attractive option. But how does it stack up against other counter top materials? In this post, I’ll compare the pros and cons of each counter top option, so you can decide where glass might work for your project. They’re arranged in general installed price, from high to low.

• MARBLE/NATURAL STONE: $100-200 per sq. ft. Known for their beauty and unique patterns from nature, marbles can be a high-maintenence choice and require a bit of babying. Lighter colors stain easily, and all colors can show cuts and abrasions, are sensitive to sudden temperature changes, and can be scorched with high heat. Regular sealing must be part of it’s routine in order to stay beautiful. They are best found at a stone yard, where you choose the exact piece of stone to be used in your project.

• STAINLESS STEEL: $100-150 per sq. ft. Stainless is very popular now with the popularity of stainless steel appliances in kitchens. It can be difficult to find a local fabricator to custom form, but it is extremely resistant to heat and stains. It can dent easily with impact, and higher polished finishes show scratches very easily. Constant cleaning of fingerprints is a common complaint in high traffic/serving areas, however brushed and patterned finishes can reduce that complaint.

• CONCRETE: $80-120 per sq. ft. This product can be tinted to coordinate with decor, and can include stone or other products imbedded into the surface. Since they are most commonly formed on-site, they are often only as good as the installer. They can crack and chip relatively easily. Concrete also needs routine sealing maintenance to resist staining and damage from heat.
• 

• GLASS: $65-150 per sq. ft. With literally any color option, it lends a new possibility to the term “custom kitchen”. Glass is the only product on this list that can be color-specified to match a specific paint, Pantone, or RAL color. While still sensitive to impact and cuts, minor surface scratches can be buffed out with #0000 steel wool. No sealing is required and it will not stain. Dried on foods can be scraped off with a single-sided razor blade. It can be sensitive to sudden temperature changes and high heat like fine marble and natural stone. It is ideal for dining/serving areas and in areas with high moisture such as wet bars or around sinks. New digital imaging options, like that of Dreamwalls Marble Glass can also create marble and stone looks on glass,….or really any image you desire. However, custom images will greatly affect the price based on the size, resolution, and complexity of the image. It can also come in a wide variety of tile sizes and shapes, for additional flexibility.

• QUARTZ: $50-100 per sq. ft. Contrary to popular belief, quartz is not 100% natural stone. It is created using stone chips added to resins to create a realistic stone look. Because of the resins, they are strong and durable and resistant to stains. They also don’t need to be sealed, like its real stone cousins. It is a great solution for the main prep areas, as it stands up to heat, cuts, abrasions, and impacts very well. It is sold at a wide variety of retailers,  speciality shops, and home improvement chains.

• GRANITE: and other natural stone:$45-150 per sq. ft. While granite is incredibly strong, other stones like  limestone, slate, soapstone, and sandstone can be softer or more brittle. They all need regular resealing for stain resistance. Colors and patterns can vary widely and affect price.  It is best purchased at a stone yard where the exact piece you want to purchase can be hand-picked because of the unique natural patterns and colorations of the product.

• BUTCHER BLOCK: $30-65 per sq. ft. Useful for work and prep areas, butcher block is easy to install and repair. Heat can stain it and impacts can dent it, but major cuts and scrapes can be sanded out. It needs to be treated regularly with oil, wax or other treatment to prevent cracking. It also is very sensitive to high humidity and moisture, so use near a sink, dishwasher, or wet bar is not ideal. Maple, red oak, and teak are the most popular woods used. Butcher block can be purchased at a wide variety of retailers.

• ENGINEERED STONE: $35-100 per sq. ft. Also called “solid surfacing”, this is made by mixing resins with mineral filler to imitate concrete, marble and other stone. They are very durable and can be joined seamlessly. It nicks and shows cuts easily, but can be buffed out or repaired. Lighter colors may stain as easily as the original stone it imitates, but they generally don’t require sealing. They can be purchased at a wide variety of retailers.

• CERAMIC TILE: $10-75 per sq. ft. Lots of designs are possible in tiles, and many can be inexpensive choices. Grout joints tend to grab on to food and stains, and they can be easily broken, but also relatively easily replaced and install. These are available for DIY, or installed by a wide variety of retailers from speciality tile shops to home improvement chains.

• LAMINATE: $10-35 per sq. ft.  It has a huge array of colors and patterns, is lightweight and relatively easy to install. It is relatively resistant to stains, heat, and impacts as well. The thin layers show damage of nicks and cuts and can’t be repaired. Seaming and the edge lines tend to turn people off, although there are some newer versions that are pre-formed to feature no seams at the backsplash and waterfall edges that are higher priced. It can be available for DIY, or installed by a wide variety of retailers from speciality tile shops to home improvement chains.

Glass Serving Area - courtesy Downsview Kitchen Studio

I would remind you that a counter top installation is only as good as the installer. They need to stand by the accuracy of their templates and their installation and  for a quality job. So be sure you don’t just fall in love with a display on a showroom floor design. Always do the research of getting referrals and references of the shop and go in armed with the real pros and cons of each material to find the right pro to do the job.

So ultimately, which material is right for your project? It could be a variety of several. It might be quartz in the main zones, butcher block in the prep area, marble for a pastry slab and a shot of colorful Dreamwalls Color Glass at the serving and eating areas. We are living in fine times where a variety of options are available for any project, depending on the task and performance needed.