David Hack, Freelance Writer

Glass used in more than windows

By David G. Hack

Freelance Writer

Our thoughts of glass in our homes usually stop at our windows, bathroom mirrors and drinking containers. We think of it as breakable, delicate, to be moved when small children are around. But that is changing.

“Glass is strong,” says Jeanette Lemke of Glass Concepts of Cedar Rapids. “We usually think of window glass that is only 1/8th of an inch thick, and windows break.” Glass can be used in many ways that normally are reserved for wood or metal.

Shower enclosures have become a popular way to be creative with glass.

“The walls and doors can have designs etched on them to provide beauty and some degree of modesty,” says Lemke.

“As opposed to the preformed tub enclosures, glass walls can be made to any shape and make a dramatic statement.”

Slumped glass can also be used for decorative purpose. This glass has been melted into a mold so that it assumes the new shape of the mold. The glass then provides a textured appearance that provides more interest, diffuses light and becomes a part of the décor.

Countertops are being made from glass.

“Sometimes people put plate glass on countertops to protect the counters,” says Rob Miller of Marv’s Glass Specialties, Inc. of Iowa City. “In time, as the glass gets scratched, it can be replaced more cheaply than the counter.”

Large mirrors are being used on walls of small room to enlarge the space. Sometimes these mirrors are mounted to patterned glass to give another decorative dimension to them. Sometimes mirrors with beveled edges are laminated to other mirrors with beveled edges to reflect and refract light even more.

In a kitchen, the space between counters and cabinets are being filled with mirrors to add more illusions of light and space.

Entire tables are made from plate glass; not just the table tops, but the pedestals as well. Shelving with special hanging hardware also provides a clear decorative statement.

“There are many exciting things that can be done with glass. Look at the trade journals. I once worked in a home installing a glass staircase; the entire thing was constructed of glass,” adds Miller. “Given time and money, there’s probably no limit to the use of glass.”

PULL OUT:

“Glass terms”

Beveling – the grinding and polishing of a glass edge at an angle other than 90-degrees.

Fuse – to join together by the application of heat.

Laminate – in glass fusing, the uniting of layers of glass without necessarily changing the original shape of the glass pieces.

Plate glass – term used to describe window glass which exceeds 3/16” in thickness.

Seed – an extremely small gaseous inclusion in glass. “Seedy” glass contains many bubbles, creating visual texture.

Slumping – the controlled bending or downward sinking of glass while being heated.

Tempering glass – a treatment given to glass to produce internal stress by sudden cooling from low red heat. This makes glass very tough. Tempered glass cannot be cut.

The Gazette, April 6, 2003