Dreamwalls Glass Installation in Key Bank

Glass message boards are growing in popularity as more and more designers become familiar with them. Glass is non-ghosting, provides good contrast, is easy to clean of all types of markers (including permanent), and adds a higher end look for corporate environments. In this week’s earlier post, we wrote about our custom color capabilities and quality features, but today I want to speak about the artistic side of Dreamwalls Color Glass to add extra beauty and value to your message board.

There are many different features in a glass message boards that can help you create the exact look – and function – desired for a corporate look, and Dreamwalls Color Glass has created the “gold standard” in message boards for these environments. Below are 4 different ways that Dreamwalls Color Glass can make the dry erase board of your design dreams:

1. Tempering
2. Magnetization
3. Cut outs
4. Graphics

Dreamwalls Tempered Glass Breakage Pattern

TEMPERING: Tempered glass is annealed (untempered) glass that has been processed by a controlled thermal process to increase its strength in comparison to annealed glass. Tempered glass is generally 4-6x stronger than annealed glass, and creates the characteristic breaking pattern you see above, as well as a greater resistance to high heat temperatures. Tempered glass must be fabricated fully with all holes, edging, and shaping done prior to tempering because of the internal stress, so measure carefully, because there is no trimming “in the field”. When tempered glass is broken, it crumbles into granular chunks, instead of jagged shards. These nuggets of glass are less likely to cause injury, so some people refer to it as “safety glass”.

Tempered glass is often used in glass shower enclosures, glass doors and tables, backsplashes, shower walls, and other architectural applications. However, it is often recommended for “pass through” applications where the back of the glass is not fully supported – like message boards with standoffs used, or where the glass may come in contact with extreme changes in temperature. (Glass trivets are made of tempered glass, and they can usually stand the direct heat of pots that are up to 400-450˚ F.)

MAGNETIZATION: Many offices are now opting for magnetic glass message boards for an additional function to the writing surface. Calling the boards themselves “magnetic” is a bit of a misnomer, since the glass itself is not actually magnetized. A steel plate is adhered to the back of the glass using a special adhesive that will not harm the paint layers, and magnets are used on the front side which pull “through” the glass to the steel. It’s important to note that the addition of the steel plate creates a much heavier product, often increasing the weight of the overall glass message board by 3x – so when you’re looking at hanging mechanisms, that is definitely a consideration. Dreamwalls Color Glass magnetized message boards may just be the solution you’ve needed to add the utmost flexibility to the office.

Dreamwalls Magnetized Message Board with Cut Outs

CUT OUTS: Drilled holes for standoff mounting, unique patterns cut out of the glass, or cutting the glass board itself into a unique shape, can add some amazing options to a Dreamwalls Color Glass glass marker board. Working from .dxf files, we can waterjet any design out of the glass. Watch a good video about our waterjet cutting capabilities here.

Dreamwalls Color Glass Signage

GRAPHICS: We can also add graphics on the reverse side of the glass. By using our painting system we can selectively paint different areas in different colors (or leave them clear) so that you add logos, text, borders, or other designs to the message boards. These designs won’t chip or wash off because they’re on the back side and protected. The shine and sparkle add a professional look to any graphic. Just think of the possibilities!

With these unique capabilities, almost anything can be achieved for a unique marker board that is a cut above the competition. A Dreamwalls Color Glass message board will make any office stand out from the competition.

For more information about Dreamwalls Color Glass Message Boards and our other decorative glass options, please call 800-334-7267 or visit www.dreamwallscolorglass.com

Dreamwalls Color Glass: New York Office Installation - Stone

Dreamwalls Color Glass makes the perfect dry erase board for corporate interiors. Here are 5 reasons every office in the country should have a wall of Dreamwalls Color glass to use as a dry erase marker board:

• Won’t Stain or Ghost

Regardless of the color or how long the marks stay, they can always be cleaned off. Even permanent markers can be removed.

• Color Customization

If a marker can show up on it, it’s the right color to use. We can color match any corporate color, so you’re free to think of the marker board as a design element, not an obstacle.

• Magnetized Option

Adding another layer of functionality makes them even more practical.

• Permanent Custom Graphics

A subtle overall pattern to match the décor? A grid? A logo? Use your imagination to re-think what a dry erase marker board can be.

• Professional Image

When not in use, it doesn’t HAVE to still look like a dry erase board. With large floor-to-ceiling installations,  it becomes a beautiful, shining wall of color when not in use.

Dreamwalls Color Glass: True White Corporate Conference Room Wall

Pepe Calderin dining area using various types of red glass tile

We’re talking tile this week. And I am amazed that glass isn’t getting specified more in projects. With our product, you can have it coated it any color; and with our waterjet capabilities, you can cut it into any size or shape imaginable. But one project I first saw in Decorative Glass Magazine’s Designers On Design Blog called out two more reasons why backpainted glass tile should be explored more in the design community: finish and thickness.

Pepe Calderin grand entry using various types of red glass tile

This residence in Florida was designed by Pepe Calderin, a designer who really understands the beauty of glass. In this stunning residence, Calderin used glass tiles in a bright red color in different thicknesses (we can do 3mm to 25mm thick) in various sizes and in both matte (acid etched low iron glass) and shiny (regular low iron glass). The result plays with the light, plays with the intensity of the color, and begs to be touched.

Pepe Calderin Hallway using various types of red glass tile

I’m just amazed by the possibilities and think everyone should be trying this on an accent wall in their home. Stunning. What other tile can give you so many options? A truly customized tile is waiting for you at Dreamwalls Color Glass.

For more info on the designs of Pepe Calderin, visit his website or read more about this project at Design Shuffle.

The trend reports from the Fall 2011 High Point Market continue today. For earlier posts, click HERE and HERE. But today, I’m going to focus on the ongoing trend of customization. (This is of particular interest to me due to my recent panel presentation at Glass Build 2011.)

The furniture industry has always had a high level of customization due to the volume of contract and commercial work. Designers shop first for shapes, then colors and fabrics can be added later – at a price. However, this market I saw pops of bright colors offered on a variety of silhouettes for a plug-and-play type of customization. It’s fast and easy, but still individually yours,…and with plenty of impact. Limiting the endless options to a precise palette also makes prices more reasonable for those of us who work on smaller projects.

Dreamwalls Trends from High Point Fall 2011 - Customized Brights

Howard Elliott featured a wide arrange of baroque mirror shapes, with a crayon box of optional colors in high gloss finish. Steven Shell featured traditional pieces updated with an explosion of color. But what impressed me the most were their large hand-painted pieces,…available in a wide variety of patterns. PolArt offered their painted ornate furniture in gloss and matte finishes for different effects. Mottega has an assortment of shapes which you can apply colors and shade shape,…in translucent glass, opaque glass, or ceramic,…and you can build it first right on their website!

Yes, glass is super-practical in the kitchen. Hygienic, easy to clean, and no maintenance. But what about beauty and style? It turns out, it really exceeds other materials there, too. You can customize it in ways that no other material can handle. Imagine making your kitchen glass backsplash unique;…custom cuts, custom color, made just for your kitchen. And if you add digital printing in addition to backpainting, the options are truly limitless:

Custom Quote on Dreamwalls Glass Backsplash

British company Enki makes custom looks using digital printing for mass appeal. They’ve standardized sizes of heat strengthened glass for backsplashes (or “splashbacks” as they’re called in Europe) to adapt to the most common needs in the majority of homes. They’re even self-adhesive so you can just peel and stick it over your stove. They offer a wide variety of standard colors, but they also offer some fun patterns for a unique feel that expresses loads of personality:

Enki Splashback Zebra Stripe

How cute is that? But it doesn’t have to just be patterns like wallpaper or nature scenes. It can also be one big design like the flag…..

Enki Splashback Union Jack

Or, you can even try a big design that elevates your backsplash to fine art. See this one from The Splashback Company in Australia, which uses the artwork of Melbourne-based artist Soula Mantalvanos. Very cool, right?

Soula Mantalvanos artwork as Everprint® Glass Splashback

So now the only question is, if you could design anything for your kitchen, what would it be?

Over the blog posts of the past 2 weeks and 6 blog posts, I’ve enjoyed bringing you a more in-depth look at some of the Trends in Glass Customization that I’ve entitled, “Why Customization? Why Now?”. There are other trends, to be sure,…such as recycled/environmental, hand-applied artisan effects, and product design,….but nearly all of them depend on the broader categories of Color, Printing, Texture, or Shape to make them unique.

The advances in our gobal design, information culture, and engineering sciences are helping these customization methods catch the imagination of designers everywhere. It’s the unique American sensibilities that make us say, “I want that in my space,….and can you just change it a little so that it’s like this?” It is also growing due to the way trends in Europe are jumping the ocean and back again at an ever-faster pace thanks to blogs and social media.

And here at Dreamwalls, we don’t see the pace slowing down one bit. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what’s next,…and I hope we have a hand in helping create it and bring it to you.

[The following is part 4 on a in-depth look on the emerging trend in customization of glass products]

[For part 1, in the series, - INTRO- click here. For part 2 - COLOR - click here. For part 3 - PRINTING - click here. For part 4- TEXTURE- click here.]

The shaping of glass is key to what we’ll be seeing more of in buildings and environments in the future. There are 3 main developments in the proliferation of glass manipulation which make shaping glass a more common possibility:

1. Familiarity with bent/manipulated glass
2. CAD-guided water jet capabilities
3. Laminating and Engineering breakthroughs

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Apple's Cupertino HQ proposed design

When Steve Jobs was talking about Apple’s future Cupertino, CA compound, he specifically mentioned it wouldn’t have a straight piece of glass in the place. So the shaping of glass is key to what we’ll be seeing in buildings and environments in the near future. Simply the fact that nearly anyone in America can go to one of their stores now and see bent or laminated glass used for structural elements is a huge push to familiarizing the public with possibilities.

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Gardner's Water Jet cutting delicate shapes

The fact that water can be used to cut extremely delicate designs in glass using a water jet machine has helped with the opportunities for glass use in new ways. Not only can new products be created, such as custom tiles, room dividers, jewelry and more,….but the flexibility it offers to create incredibly exact cuts since it is CAD-based, allows stunning corporate and public installations to become more common.

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The fact that Apple uses laminated glass stairs in nearly all their retail locations – their NYC location even features an elevator entirely encased in curved glass – means that what used to be unattainable is here now. Their structural engineering firm, Eckersley O’Callaghan Structural Design Ltd., has made a name for itself by working with DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions to create the class stairway and balustrade ensembles that are in the Apple stores worldwide. If we’ve learned anything, it’s that if Apple wants something, they will develop the technology to make it happen. So look for bent glass to become much more common in the years to come.

[The following is part 4 on a in-depth look on the emerging trend in customization of glass products]

[For part 1, in the series, - INTRO- click here. For part 2 - COLOR - click here. For part 3 - PRINTING - click here.]

The smooth texture of glass is one of its benefits. The non-porous, smooth surface that begs to be touched is also easy to clean. And while patterned glass has been around for a very long time, it has moved past the rolled texture of “Obsura” or sandblasting. Now there are new methods of creating texture with glass. New methods of adding texture to glass have led to entire new uses of glass as the custom element in interiors.

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1) Deep etching – Acid etching has revolutionized the “frosted glass” look by making it completely durable and easy to clean. It’s a very difficult process to do, but the effects are stunning – and permanent. There are only a few manufacturers in the entire world that can do it. However, they are all coming out with new patterns and designs. Deep etch gives a very raised surface that can allow the product to become “non-slip”. This can allow it to be used as flooring and stair treads – which is a growing market segment.

Deep Etched Glass - Climb & Grip by OmniDecor

2) Acid etching in patterns and back painted- using acid etched glass along with the millions of options of color achieved through the back-painting process allows a huge opportunity for different effects. The play between matte and glossy is so much more interesting in glass than in any other material.

Omni Decor Pattern Acid Etch ColourFlou

"Tree" and "Pisis" acid etched patterns by OmniDecor - shown here silvered

3) Slumping/Forming – Kilns are getting larger and larger, and now the slumping and forming process is better than ever before. The effects for backlit bars, signage, and decorative panels can be subtle – like in this large corporate sign below – or be that “WOW” element that is the focal point of any hospitality design. I’m seeing a lot more of this type of glass used in water features than every before.

Profile Glass - Australia - Slumped Logo

4) Clear deep 3-D - The clarity of deep dimensional class is a skill that lends a new dynamic to textured glass. Bubbles, squares, triangles and ellipses are in all sorts of accent pieces and even in sheet sizes, like in Joel Berman’s Ellyse glass.

Nathan Allen Glass Studios

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When it really starts to go to the next level, is when several different techniques are used all at once. For instance, the below project by Jockimo – which recently was awarded a Crystal Achievement Award – is a curved glass door, that is also cast glass with the tree design, that is also backpainted.

Jockimo - hand painted, cast, bent, and tempered custom door

All these advancements have increased the opportunities for uses of glass designs. Engineering advancements and new hardware designs have glass used in floors and stairs. Technique advancements like acid etching, clear forming, and the development of 4″ thick glass (?!) have increased. So start thinking about glass as more than just a smooth surface. It can offer many more effects than that to create unique results.

[The following is part 3 on a in-depth look on the emerging trend in customization of glass products]
[For part 1, in the series, - INTRO- click here. For part 2 - COLOR - click here. ]

The printing industry has reached out to the glass industry in a big way. No longer do people have to settle for vinyl lettering adhered to glass. The printing itself can now be a very integral part of the glass in a variety of ways. And the printing industry has responded with advances that make glass and printing a marriage made in heaven.

Logo - direct print, then backpainted True White

Direct printing on glass - This type of printing can be both UV cured inks or ceramic frit. Both processes have had a huge benefit with the prevalence of low-iron glass so that color transmission is more true. The ink adherence is extremely strong, bonding to the glass so it can be chipped or flaked off. The resolution in quality has done nothing but increase in recent years. 300 dpi is a high print quality that was unheard of on glass just a few years ago…but I’ve seen some printers that do 1440 dpi and higher! Also, the addition of white ink in some printers allows for a wider range of effects and colors.

Tom Patti Design - "Rain" Miami, FL

Increased variety of films and inserts – The high quality of printing on different substrates such as PET films and inserts of laminated product has increased in recent years. Film manufacturers are also coming out with new advancements for every possible condition and special effect; Iridescent, fluorescent, transparent, opaque, patterns and gradients…nearly anything is possible in this day and age.

Marble Glass Verde Marinace Pattern on Heavy Glass

Computer ability – Regardless of the process used – direct to glass, adhesive film or laminated interlayer – the computer has allowed extremely large images to jump from panel to panel of glass so that full exterior curtain wall projects or large scale interior projects are completely attainable. This technology has benefited from the increased accessibility of incredible high resolution photography and digital editing software as well.

Fitness Company Lobby Signage

But what does all this technology mean for you? It means that no longer are Ben-Day dots acceptable. No longer are there limitations on size based on screens. New products are possible solely because of these enhancements in digital printing technology. For instance, our Marble Glass product is photographed at a 1:1 ratio from an ACTUAL piece of stone. Then it’s rebuilt in the computer to be completely seamless, and then printed at a very high resolution and adhered using an ultra clear adhesive. Just a few years ago, this process would not have been possible. And now, you can have a whole slab of stone,…now made more durable and practical in glass.

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With custom digital imaging, there is a lot of experimentation and testing necessary to determine the performance in many of these exciting new uses that designers are coming up with. There are many different options for printing on glass, so be sure to explore them all and find the right one for your desired effect, application, and budget.

[The following is part 2 on a in depth look on the emerging trend in customization of glass products]

[For part 1, in the series, click here.]

Color is one of the biggest ways that I see customization in the glazing industry. Sure, it’s in part because of our Dreamwalls Color Glass and its ability to match ANY custom color. But as we’ve created hundreds and hundreds of sample colors,…each one slightly different from the other,…it has allowed us some unique insight into why color and glass are the perfect pairing for the designer, architect, or consumer that wants something unique in glass.

Dreamwalls Color Glass Sample Swatches - Purples

Glass has had the benefit of several relatively recent advances that make color on glass a good choice for decorative options. There are 4 main advancements that I will focus on for our discussion on color.

Regular Glass vs. Starphire Glass

Low iron glass – this substrate is created using fewer minerals in the “glass batch”. These minerals are what gives regular glass a greenish cast. Starphire is PPG Industries version of low-iron glass and the one we use. When color is applied to this specialized glass, the colors transmit more accurately: White is white, not aqua; Red is vibrant, not neutralized; the colors specified are the colors achieved.

Dreamwalls Intermix System

Computerized intermix systems – These systems allow paints and coatings to be mixed and optimized for accuracy and replicable results, which is very important for consistent runs of product. That way, if a piece of glass needs to be replaced in 2 weeks,…or two years, it will still match the original.

Jill, our on site chemist and color specialist, works the spectrophotometer

Spectrophotometers - This highly specialized computer measures color electronically. It takes a very sophisticated reading of each wavelength of light reflected off the object. This is especially important when you’re working with glass, because of the possibility of metameric failure – the effect that occurs when differing material colors that match under one source will often appear different under another light source.

LED lights tape

LED lights – These lights have become super-slim in recent years, allowing the use with glass to become more prevalent and explored more fully. There are still industry stand-offs that need to be used, but these thin designs can lessen the bulkiness and can handle curves in ways that now allow bars and counters to “pop” with light in a variety of colors.

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At Dreamwalls, we have worked very hard for nearly 10 years developing the technology and processes that create beautiful and durable coatings on glass. We are extremely happy to take advantage of these more recent technological advances to help further your confidence that the color you specify is the color you get with every piece of Dreamwalls Color Glass.