Choosing among the possibilities for your perfect glass table top

Dreamwalls Glass Table Top Dining Table

You’ve got a project that needs a table top. You’re sold on the practicality of glass. We are so pleased! There are many different options and decisions you need to make when specifying a table top or countertop for your job. In today’s article, we’ll walk you through some of the many choices and options available.

Overall dimensions:

• We cut from glass sheets that are 96″ x 144″ – however, to fabricate edgework requires a cut in from the edge so if you want anything other than a clean cut edge rectangle, you’ll have to go a touch smaller.
• Standard industry tolerances are +/- 1/16 inch,…so if it has to be inset into a frame, allow your measurements to account for it.
• Keep in mind some edgework fabrication equipment may not be able to handle glass at max size due to weight or bed size constraints.
• Consider how the table is going to get into the space – is the door big enough? Can it make the turn in the hallway? You’d be surprised how often this needs to be addressed and you have to remember that glass simply will not bend.

Dreamwalls Color Glass White In Production

Shape – other than a rectangle?

• All ovals are not the same shape – same goes for archtops or “racetracks” – these tend to be special patterns, that need a pattern or CAD file.
• CAD drawings in a .dxf format work best for our water jet cutting capabilities and reduces any mis-communication.
• Not all cuts can be achieved, that is why it’s important for us to see the actual pattern at the time of quote. Tight inside 90º corners are impossible to be polished by our machinery. If it’s tempered, we have to make sure any holes are a certain distance from the edge. Let us review it to eliminate any problems early in the project.

Dreamwalls Glass Sink Top

Thickness of the glass:

• This depends on the size of the glass, its support and the weight it would be carrying – ask your glazier if you’re uncertain.
• Generally, if it’s on top of a full surface – annealed (non-tempered) glass is safe enough to use and is usually only 1/4 inch (6mm) thick.
• If there’s a “pass through” possibility, it’s usually better to temper the glass regardless of what the local codes may allow.
• “Heavy glass” of 1/2 inch (12mm) thick or more,…and even then it may depend on the overall size of the piece and its use.
• For table tops, we recommend going no thinner than 1/4″ (6mm) and up to 1″ thick (25mm), but depending on the size either of those extremes may not be acceptable to the project.
• NOTE: tempered glass is usually stamped with a baked-on permanent ink to prove that it has been tempered. If you don’t want that stamp showing on your final piece, be sure to dictate as such. We can provide you with a document proving the piece was tempered if you require it.

Any additional fabrication?

• Holes for a patio table pole
• Holes to hide computer wires in a desk or reception area
• Cut outs for undermount sinks (with edgework) or for a top-mount sink (won’t require edgework)
• Holes for in-counter cooktops

Type of the glass:

• Tempered or Annealed
• Tempered glass is much stronger, slightly less susceptible to scratches, and if it does break, it will form the tiny nuggests that are less likely to cause harm.
• Annealed glass will work fine for many situations that are either backed by a solid surface, so that it isn’t a “punch through” hazard or where the glass is very thick.

Dreamwalls Color Glass Red Countertop

Color of the glass:

• Regular clear glass
• Low-iron Starphire® Ultra-Clear glass
• Dreamwalls Color Glass backpainted glass – any color you specify is easily possible
• Antique Mirrors – in regular or tints
• Mirrors for a bright surface
• Acid-etched glass (in regular or low-iron) can offer some interesting under-lighting effects, or be backpainted for a lustrous finish that doesn’t show finger prints

Lots of things to consider, right? Never fear. If you get stumped at any time while making your decisions, just give us a call. We’ll try to help steer you towards the right solution for your design need. 800-334-7267. Just comment with your question, or e-mail me direct at mmarxen@gardnerglass.com

Last week, I attended the Glass Association of North America (GANA) Annual Conference in San Diego, California. And before you say anything, while the weather was gorgeous (at least for the first part of the week. Apparently, it DOES rain in sunny California from time to time), we were inside most of the time working on the goal of GANA: To provide the industry with premiere educational programs, publications, technical data and standards, and networking opportunities. It means that colleagues and competitors put aside any differences and look at the larger picture of the industry and the needs that can help the industry grow and progress.

Our Mission
Provide industry leadership and guidance, education and knowledge;
Promote the use of value-added glass and glazing products;
Provide a forum for exchanging information and ideas through its Divisions and membership; and
Provide a unified voice on matters affecting the glass and glazing industry.

For instance, while in sunny California, I was involved in the development of industry standards of the performance of backpainted glass, an AIA education program on mirror, two different documents on recyclability of our products, and the marketing of the organization. I am honored to currently serve as the Chair of the Mirror Division, and on the Board of Directors of GANA. It has given me a great deal of insight to the glass and glazing community.

My involvement with GANA is also helped by the huge wealth of information that GANA provides to commercial glaziers, architects, and designers. The documents we work on for GANA sometimes take years to develop, and we are constantly updating them and keeping them current with other industry standards. Just small sampling of the important information to our industry are below and are available for free in some cases, or for purchase from GANA for a small fee:

Guidelines for Cleaning and Handling Decorative Glass:

Decorative glass products have become important components of the architectural landscape. They contribute to the architecture and design requirements of interior and exterior applications for residential, commercial and industrial projects. In order to preserve the quality and integrity of decorative glass products and to ensure their long-term performance, fabricators, glazing contractors, related sub-contractors (e.g. millwork contractors) and building owners should follow appropriate procedures during handling, fabrication, installation, and cleaning. The guidelines within this document are intended to inform and assist those who fabricate, use and maintain decorative glass products. This document was published in June 2008.

Glossary of Types of Decorative Glass:

This link directs you to the website of DecorativeGlazing.com which features a glossary of the wide variety of different terms used in the decorative glass industry.

GANA Decorative Division White Paper on the Relevance of Decorative Glass Products to the U. S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™

The intent of this FREE White Paper is to address areas of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED®) Rating System that are relevant to the use of Decorative Glass. This document describes the ways in which decorative glass products are consistent with the intent of the LEED® Rating System. Although individual building products do not in themselves constitute conformance to the LEED® criteria, depending on the amount and type of glass used in a project, this versatile material has great potential to help achieve LEED® credits. The information contained in this paper has been developed using general or typical information on various decorative glass products. More specific information and performance data can be obtained through individual manufacturers that produce decorative glass products.

GANA Mirror Division White Paper on the Relevance of Silvered Glass Products to the U. S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™

The intent of this FREE White Paper is to address areas of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED®) Rating System that are relevant to the use of Silvered Glass Products. This document describes the ways in which silvered glass products are consistent with the intent of the LEED® Rating System. Although individual building products do not in themselves constitute conformance to the LEED® criteria, depending on the amount and type of silvered glass used in a project, this versatile material has great potential to help achieve LEED® credits.

AIA Education Opportunities from GANA:

• DD0101 – Introduction to Decorative Glazing
• FGMD01 – Glass in Today’s Architecture
• FGMD03 – Coated Glass
• FRGC01 – Fire-Rated Glazing Today
• LD0001 – Laminated Glass 101
• PG0101 – Protective Glazing 101

So if you get a chance to explore the fruits of our GANA labor this week, I would appreciate it. It is important for us to continue to develop Information Bulletins, White Papers, CEU courses, and manuals that you and your industry find useful. If there’s something specific you’re looking for, please let us know. Call Gardner Glass Products (the parent company of Dreamwalls) at 1-800-334-7267 and ask to speak to Mandy. Or, email me at mmarxen@mac.com

Dreamwalls Color Glass is the building block for a kitchen or bathroom with something more; more colorful, more practical, more chic, and more beautiful. Basically, we make durable glass in any color you specify, any shape you need, in nearly any size; that will last the life of your room. We ship nationwide to industry glaziers and contractors, or we can direct you to a professional near you that can measure, deliver, and install.

Dreamwalls is the maker of a wide variety of glass surfacing solutions. For additional products and ideas, visit us at www.dreamwalls.com .

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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“Wet bar” conjures up ideas of swinging pads from decades ago,….hip drinking glasses and happy hours with a ‘Mad Men’ vibe. But they are making a comeback and are more modern than ever before. With sleek finishes that are water resistant – like Dreamwalls Color Glass – you can create either a color that jumps out and draws attention, or you can create a subtle color that adds nuance to the rest of the room.

Installation of Dreamwalls Color Glass in Linen by Anchor Ventana - Austin, TX

Dreamwalls color glass can work wonderfully in these wet environments. Here are 5 ways your wet bar can benefit from this great material:

1. The shine of a glass backsplash draws the eye and compliments barware beautifully
2. The color (any color you specify from any color book) can either add subtle nuance to the room or make a bold statement
3. The surface is non-porous and so durable, you don’t have to worry about cleaning up any drips or spills until you’re ready
4. Shelves or cabinet inserts can be tempered, so you’re able to get the hard-working color to echo in other areas
5. As countertops, it shines brilliantly with color, making the area feel special and unique

Dreamwalls Color Glass Installation - Sand

Have you started seeing drink-serving areas, wine bars, or wet bars making a resurgence in your market? What are the biggest considerations in your designs? Let us know if you have any questions about using Dreamwalls Color Glass in your designs.

Baltimore's Flag House Museum

I spent last week up in Baltimore, Maryland for the NeoCon East trade show. It was a great show, and Mark Melvin and I met some great designers with whom we’re excited about working. I’ll show you more on the show itself later this week. But for now I’ll talk as a tourist. This being my first trip to Baltimore, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the city itself . (I mean, I loved ‘The Wire‘, of course. But beyond that….) So my jaw dropped when I spotted this HUGE decorative glass facade on my way to dinner one night. Bam. I fell in love with this city when I saw the Star Spangled Banner Flag House Museum.

In August of 1813, Mrs. Mary Young Pickersgill and her daughter finished sewing a 15-star, 15-stripe American flag commissioned to be flown over Fort McHenry. The flag measured 30 feet by 42 feet. It flew over Fort McHenry during the British attack on Baltimore, and on the night of September 13-14, 1814, served as the inspiration for a poem by Francis Scott Key which eventually became  ”The Star-Spangled Banner” our country’s national anthem. This is the house in which Mary Pickersgill lived and the flag was sewn.

Baltimore's Flag House

On the outer facade of the museum, visitors can view a to-scale version of the flag to gain a sense of the enormity of the task presented to Ms. Pickersgill. As a sometime quilter myself, sewing a king-sized quilt sounds daunting to me. I truly can’t imagine sewing something this huge. As a glass person, I appreciate this facade on whole different level. In 2004 this project won the first ever “Glass Innovation Award” by U.S. Glass Magazine. I assumed it was a laminated film between glass; but in actuality, it is created from ¼-inch bands of colored, ceramic frit on low-iron, laminated glass. According to the US Glass Magazine report, the glazing was completed on 2003 and cost over $312 a square foot.

Detail of Flag House Ceramic Frit on Glass

The architect was Jonathan Fishman, Principal of the Baltimore firm Richter, Cornbrooks, Gribble Inc. (RCG, Inc). In an article in US Glass Magazine, Fishman stated, “The color and finding someone who could do it [was challenging]. At one point we almost abandoned the idea …We went through a long period of research and evaluation, and fortunately found the right people.” The fritted glass was eventually fabricated through Mero Wurzburg by BGT Bischoff Glastechnik of Bretten, Germany. “It was the most innovative thing we’d ever done with glass,” Fishman said.

I would have to agree about the challenging innovation of that time. Back in 2002 and 2003, laminated films and digital printing technologies simply weren’t as advanced in the U.S. as they are now. Today, I have no doubt that this American flag could have been fully fabricated in the U. S., as was the first one that Mary Pickersgill sewed. As it should be.

HGTV’s Urban Oasis Giveaway sweepstakes is over October 15th, 2012, so there is still time to enter to win this amazing Miami condo. I adored last year’s Chicago Urban Oasis, but this one has won me over as the new champion,….in no small part to its amazing use of glass in many different forms. Below are just a few of the ways glass enhances the Miami pad which I particularly loved.

A welcome to the residence with the foyer and lobby areas. Clockwise from top L: First up, the view is PHENOMENAL! My oh my. Tempered glass would be used on that specialized balcony. It looks like bronze-tinted mirror is used behind the unique sawfish bills. Glass tile with a little citron glass bottle holding a single palm leaf – is there anything more beautiful? Oh, yes there is. Check out the elevator lobby with gray-tinted mirror and clear mirror framed out with a rustic driftwood border. Yummy.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012 Giveaway Use of Glass in the Foyer and Lobby Areas

Then we work our way into the Kitchen and Living areas. Clockwise from top L: Acid-etched glass in the kitchen cabinets reach up to the high ceiling. Glass bottles bring a bit of the sea inside. A wall installation of 9 white back-painted glass panels with standoffs act as a beautiful graphic element (and a dry erase message board too!). A glass-topped coffee table allows the tropical beverages to flow without a worry of table rings.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012 Use of Glass in the Kitchen and Living Areas

Any guest would be lucky to use these facilities. Clockwise from top L: A cast glass sink showcases the sleek fixtures in the guest bathroom. The vanity mirror extends to the ceiling and continues below the countertop to open up the space visually. In the powder room, the gray-tinted mirror adds a soft reflection to the backsplash. A sunburst mirrored wall decor piece brings the sunshine in.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012 Use of Glass in Guest Bath and Powder Room

And the finale is the Master Suite. Clockwise from top L: The flooring extends up the wall and to the ceiling, where the reward is this beautiful blown glass light fixture. A column in one corner of the room features glass subway tiles. The mirror in the bath stands off from the wall and is backlit. The huge custom glass shower enclosure is big enough for a small dance party. It is Miami!

HGTV Urban Oasis 2012 Use of Glass in the Master Bedroom & Bath

You can enter the HGTV Urban Oasis Giveaway sweepstakes daily through October 15th, 2012, so enter now. Beautiful work by everyone involved in creating this lovely, glass-festooned abode.

• Photos: Eric Perry
• Visual Design: Daniel Pratt
• Interior Designer: Lindsay Pumpa

A Macro-view of Chicago

I was in Chicago last week to participate in the Glass Association of North America (GANA) Fall Conference. GANA provides the organizational structure for addressing the needs of a diverse membership of the glass industry. GANA is continually working on issues and technical documents that affect the glass and glazing community as well as “glass information bulletins” (GIBs) that may help educate the architecture and design community in key areas. As the growth of glass use in residential and commercial buildings continues, Dreamwalls is proud to be a part of this organization and help represent the decorative glass and mirror industry.

The various eight divisions of membership are Decorative, Mirror, Tempering, Energy, Laminated, Building Envelope Contractors, Insulating, and Flat Glass,…however a company can be a member of more than one division; and many are. For instance, Dreamwalls is a voting member of both the Decorative and Mirror Divisions, but we also sit in on additional meetings of other Divisions and participate actively in the Marketing Committee. Recently, I was voted President of the Mirror Division and sit on the Board of GANA. It has been a wonderful experience and I feel like the educational information GANA provides can greatly help the industry.

Please visit the GANA Educational Publications site to download glass-related documents. Most recently, we’ve added items as varied as “Bird-Friendly Glass Design Strategies“, “Fire-Rated Glazing Changes in 2012 International Building Code“, “Guidelines for Handling and Cleaning Decorative Glass“, and many more.

GANA also provides videos and podcasts that are highly informative, as well as FREE industry white papers, such as “The Relevance of Decorative Glass Products to the U. S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ LEED® – NC – Version 3″ and “The Relevance of Silvered Glass Products to the U. S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System™ LEED® – NC – Version 3″,…both of which may sound really boring, unless of course you’re a LEED professional looking for credits everywhere you possibly can. These are available on the GANA Tech Center Page (be sure to scroll down to the bottom).

We are proud to be a part of this association and its body of industry work, and we also enjoy seeing our fellow glass industry associates. It just is one more way we work hard to be leaders in the industry, so that our customers can benefit from our expertise. You are ultimately the reason we do this; but an occasional piece of Chicago deep-dish doesn’t hurt.

After spending last week in Chicago for Glass Association of North America fall conference, I definitely had glass on my mind. So it was wonderful to go to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and see a huge hallway dedicated to an art installation all about color, light, and glass.  It was installed in 1987 for the opening of Terminal 1 – a state of the art facility, which at the time was dubbed United Airlines’ “Terminal for Tomorrow”.

Artist Michael Hayden's piece: "Skys The Limit" - Chicago, IL

Installed in 1987, the piece involves sections that light up at different intervals while you walk or travel via moving sidewalk. It’s calming and enjoyable – and in person, it’s not as Vegas- bright as it looks in the above photo. It may be the passing of time, or the threat of triggering epileptics, but today the piece is really pretty calm and mellow. It was really the perfect end to a wonderful week focused on glass.

Installation Clip

Michael Hayden "Skys The Limit" 1987 Chicago, IL

Detail of "Skys The Limit" by Michael Hayden

In Monday’s post, I showed a few of the back-painted glass installations I ran across in China. But the Chinese have embraced all types of decorative glass in various forms. Below is just a little scrapbook of my glass experience in Shanghai and the surrounding area.

Bent glass:

Bent Glass in Shanghai, China

Carved glass:

Carved Glass in Shanghai, China

Heavy glass:

Stacked heavy glass balustrade - Shanghai, China

Creative use of mirror:

Mirror detail in Shanghai, China

Etched glass:

Etched glass panel in Shanghai, China

More etched glass:

Selectively etched glass door - Shanghai, China

Pattern-etched glass:

Pattern Etched Glass in Shonguang, China

Laminated glass:

Laminated Glass with real reeds - Shanghai, China

And tinted & etched mirror:

Bronze mirror with etched pattern - Shanghai, China

Now, I admit,….some of these executions may be more successful or sophisticated than others. But what I admire is the creative uses and unique personalization in each. I hope more and more domestic hospitality interiors will show a growing confidence with glass and interior glazing techniques. If you have a unique idea you want to try, let us know. If we don’t do it, I feel certain one of our friends can; and with our 50 years in the decorative glass business, we have a LOT of friends we can call. Let your American ingenuity shine – literally – with a new glass design.