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IMAGE GLASS HAS ACQUIRED HILLSBOROUGH GLASS

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 22:08:54 GMT

We are excited to announce Image Glass has grown & acquired Hillsborough Glass Company! Kurt is the new owner of Hillsborough Glass, which will now be known as Image Glass LLC with 2 locations- Monmouth Junction and Hillsborough.

Hillsborough Glass began in 1976 with George “Chip” Christiansen. John Harenza began working for him in 1977. John took over Hillsborough Glass in 2002 and has been in the industry for 43 years. Kurt worked summers at Hillsborough Glass growing up, and started officially working at Hillsborough Glass in 2000 to learn the trade. In 2003 he went off on his own to create Image Glass LLC. in Monmouth Junction NJ.

Hillsborough Glass and Image glass have always worked hand in hand over the last 20 years with Hillsborough Glass serving Somerset County and Image Glass serving Middlesex County. Even though our name is changing, you will still see the same friendly faces, as our friend John is staying on board as well as the rest of the team. We are so excited to now be servicing Somerset County with our new name Image Glass moving forward!

You will still get the same great services for:

Glass Shower Doors

Neo-Angle Shower Doors

Storefront Doors

Double Hung Windows

Casement Windows

Bay Windows

Picture Windows

Sliding Windows

Awning Windows

Shower and Tub Enclosures

Frameless Shower Doors

Glass Showers

Bathtub Doors

Bathtub Glass Glass Repair

Screen Repair NJ

Glass Entry Systems

Commercial Glass Doors

Herculilte Glass Doors

Tempered Glass Doors

Exploring the Options of Frosted Glass Shower Doors

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 21:06:26 GMT

Not every homeowner wants clear glass shower doors for their bathroom, which can be due to a variety of reasons ranging from how the family uses it and privacy concerns to purely aesthetic preferences. Frosted shower glass is both decorative and practical via their privacy feature, but still allow light to get into the enclosure.

Professional design and installation experts like Image Glass can provide frosted shower glass. Generally speaking, frosted glass is created by acid etching, or sandblasting clear glass. This process can be done at the end stage of manufacturing or in the design shop through post fabrication processes. Regardless of what type of glass shower doors you choose, frosted glass not only offers privacy, it incorporates texture and style to any room. This type of glass is remarkable in that it adapts to the style of any interior decorator and is a perfect complement to most other accents in your bathroom.

In addition to the production methods for frosting glass employed by experts there are companies that have developed window film that gives shower glass a frosted look. This non-adhesive film works through static cling, so if it’s applied by a homeowner that doesn’t get it quite right rather than by a professional it can be reapplied. More durable methods use adhesive-backed film, which is similar to the method of tinting car windows, so it’s far more permanent on first application. In addition, there are spray solutions for frosting glass shower doors that are more involved in terms of preparation, but also lend themselves to artistic expression through stenciling. While etching is best performed by Image Glass professionals through pre or post fabrication methods, this brush applied cream method can be done DIY, but it is fully permanent.

Aside from shower enclosures, frosted glass can serve multiple functions in your bathroom such as via partitions between commode and tub or for bathroom windows. Replacing your bathroom windows with frosted privacy glass will keep the outside world from peeking inside, while still allowing in an abundance of natural light. If you’ve already designed your glass shower doors with frosted glass, the addition of frosted glass windows creates a nice balance in design as well as in privacy.

At Image Glass, every New Jersey glass installer is an expert that understands all aspects of different types of glass and where they are best utilized. The goal is to ensure your satisfaction and safety today and tomorrow. To learn more about how each Image Glass Installer can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.

More Info on Glass Types from Your Image Glass Installer

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 21:01:23 GMT

In past blog posts, we’ve talked about tempered glass commercial application usage as well as its use in glass shower doors. In the field, an image glass installer will get questions about different types of glass and its strength. Based on those questions, we decided to provide a primer on how tempered glass and heated glass are made and what properties they bring to safety.

Both heat-strengthened and tempered glass are manufactured using a hat treating process with the same processing equipment. The glass is heated to 1200 degrees in each process followed by forced cooling for surface and edge compression. The process used is determined by the specific application of the glass.

To make heat-strengthened glass, the glass is reheated after forming to just below melting point and then air-cooled more slowly than tempered glass. This slower cooling forms a compressed surface, which increases its strength to approximately twice as strong as annealed or untreated glass.

Tempered glass

As discussed in past blogs, tempered glass (or safety glass) is typically specified for security. It is often used in patio and entrance doors, sidelites and other locations where the safety of occupants is paramount in the event of broken glass. When shattered, tempered glass breaks into thousands of small particles.

The manufacturing process for tempered glass involves reheating it to nearly the melting point. It is then quickly air-cooled to create the necessary surface and edge compression. This process makes the glass nearly five times stronger and safer than annealed or untreated glass, which reduces the chances of thermal breakage.

Heat-strengthened glass

Heat-strengthened glass also provides additional strength for things like wind pressure resistance, thermal stress or both, but is more along the lines of two to three times a strong as annealed or untreated glass. That means it is used in situations where wind and thermal pressure resistance are needed but fully tempered glass is not a requirement.

A common use of heat-strengthened glass is in spandrel glass where the opaque nature is meant to conceal features between the floors of a building, including vents, wires, slab ends and mechanical equipment. An advantage of heat-strengthened glass is that, when broken, the glass fragments are more similar in size and shape to annealed glass fragments and thus tend to stay in the opening longer than fully tempered glass particles. Although heat-strengthened glass is not a safety glazing by building code, this breakage pattern prevents the glass from falling and injuring someone.

Effects of heat-treating glass

The process of heat strengthening glass and tempering glass can leave some optical image distortion depending on a number of variable factors including:

Glazing pressure
Wind load
Temperature and barometric pressure changes
Altitude changes between manufacturing and installation environment

Glass distortion may also occur due to strain patterns in heat-treated glass or interference fringe patterns in the fabrication of insulating glass units. Because of its fluidity at higher temperatures, glass also is inherently susceptible to roller wave, bow and warp while it is being heat-treated.

To minimize the potential impact of the glass distortion that is inherent with heat-treating processes, many commercial projects will call for the installation of thicker glass that is less prone to distortion. Next time we’ll discuss different types of glass where clarity, heat transfer and other comfort and aesthetic aspects come into play for commercial and residential glass for architectural glass installation.

To learn more about how the Image Glass team can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.

Considerations for Your Custom Shower Doors for a Frameless Steam Shower

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 20:28:24 GMT

If you are interested in a custom shower, check out our GALLERY or Contact Us to discuss your design.

Saunas may not be for everybody, but some homeowners dream of having one as part of their bathroom remodel. It’s possible to have your combined shower and sauna with a steam shower. Steam showers provide a wealth of benefits such as reducing congestion, opening your airways and fantastic muscle therapy for relaxing tense muscles after a workout. In addition to the particulars of what is needed for a steam shower, you’ll need to understand how this affects the design and installation aspects of your custom shower doors.

A great steam shower requires that custom glass shower doors and the parts be designed to the highest possible standard. In particular, they must be constructed to the highest level of vapor proofing available. Glass panels that extend all the way from the floor to the ceiling will help contain the steam in the shower and provide the elegant look of a frameless shower. There are many glass panels and shower enclosure styles to fit any type of bathroom layout and the glass can be custom cut to fit your particular shower.

Steam shower doors must utilize high performing vapor proof gaskets and tempered safety glass to provide the tightest steam seal possible. Steam shower doors swing on a hinge that is also completely encased in vapor proof. The door will swing out allowing for easy and safe entering and exiting from the unit.

Your Image Glass design and installation team can consult with you on all of the features that the shower doors will need for a steam shower. When it comes to glass installation, we will work with your construction and plumbing contractor to coordinate the installation schedule of the specific parts that will make this a steam shower. Our team will also go over bathroom remodeling recommendations so that your bathroom is properly ventilated and designed to meet the requirements of a frameless steam shower.

Ventilation design considerations will likely include a transom as part of the custom shower door design to keep mold away through proper ventilation. These horizontal windows are positioned directly above the shower door entrance. The vents are opened when you complete your shower in order to release the steam. Other design considerations are having an exhaust fan directly in front of the transom to direct the airflow out of your shower.

The fixtures for creating the steam don’t have to be highly expensive or elaborate as there are numerous portable lightweight shower steamers on the market. While they can be DIY, it may be a good idea to work with your plumbing contractor to ensure that it’s done to the highest standard possible.

At Image Glass, our designers and glass installation experts understand all aspects of how to create the type of shower enclosure that you envision. The goal is to ensure your satisfaction and safety today and tomorrow. To learn more about how the Image Glass team can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.

Tempered Glass Knowledge from Your New Jersey Glass Installer

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 20:23:33 GMT

If you are interested in a ordering tempered glass, check out our Tabletop Gallery , Shower Doors , or Contact Us to discuss your design.

Your Image Glass New Jersey glass installer stays updated on the local and Universal Building Codes that must be adhered to when it comes to commercial glass installation such as with glass doors and windows. Although they bring this knowledge with them to every project, it can be beneficial for commercial customers to understand the basics of why tempered safety glass is used and where in commercial installations.

Tempered glass goes through a manufacturing procedure that ultimately makes it as much as five times as strong as other forms of glass. The procedure involves heating the glass up, and then cooling it down rapidly. This process makes the glass stronger, and also changes the way the glass breaks. The glass shatters into small blocks that are much less likely to cause injury. That is why Tempered glass is also called Safety glass.

The building codes that control where and how tempered glass are installed include:

1. Glass in any door.

2. Glass in any kind of shower, bathtub area, hot tub, steam room, sauna or whirlpool area where the bottom edge of the glass is less than 60 inches above a standing surface and drain outlet.

3. Glass in fixed or operable panels adjacent to a door where the nearest exposed edge of the glazing is within a 24” arc of either vertical edge of the door in a closed position and where the bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60” above a walking surface.

4. Glass in fixed or operable panels that meets all of the following conditions:

Bottom edge is less than 18” above floor
Top edge is greater than 36” above floor
Total area of glass is greater than 9 sq. ft. (1296 sq.in.)
One or more walking surfaces within 36” horizontally of the glazing

5. Glass in walls used as a barrier for indoor or outdoor swimming pools or spas when both of the following exist:

The bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60” above a pool side of the glazing
The glazing is within 5 feet of a swimming pool or spa deck area

6. Glass in walls enclosing stairway landings or within 5 feet of the bottom and top of stairways where the bottom edge of the glass is less than 60” above a walking surface.

Next time on the blog, we go into more detail about the process of creating tempered glass and its true durability based on testing. At Image Glass, every New Jersey glass installer is an expert that understands all aspects of different types of glass and where they are best utilized. The goal is to ensure your satisfaction and safety today and tomorrow.

To learn more about how Image Glass can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.

More Maintenance Tips for Your Custom Shower Doors

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 20:18:17 GMT

Last time on the blog, we looked at low maintenance coatings for custom shower doors, but many homeowners are looking for ways to keep their shower doors clean in other ways. It’s been a while since we talked about different simple tools for maintaining beautiful glass shower doors and it’s good to refer back to that post for word on squeegees.

The challenge for some homeowners is that using a squeegee immediately after using the shower isn’t always practical. Consequently, this time we’ll look at conventional cleaning methods and the specific dos and don’ts for protecting your investment in your custom shower doors.

Daily Maintenance

Wiping down your shower doors after each use prevents soap scum build-up, lengthening the time you can go between cleaning with window cleaner. Wick away moisture with a microfiber towel or window squeegee after each shower. A dampened microfiber towel or squeegee works best, absorbing more moisture without leaving behind streaks. Leave the shower door open for about an hour after each use to allow moisture to evaporate, and always run your venting system during your shower and for a few minutes after. Touch-up streaks or build-up with a quick spritz of ammonia-free

window cleaner as needed to maintain a crystal-clear finish.

What to Avoid

Ammonia-based glass cleaners can harm glass shower doors, and abrasive brushes and sponges can leave scratches in the glass and wear down the finish of the door’s frame. The manufacturer of your glass shower door may require that you avoid these cleaning products and tools, as well as others, in order to maintain your warranty. Always read the care instructions for your shower door or contact the manufacturer if you don’t have instructions on-hand prior to cleaning.

Ammonia-free glass cleaner effectively removes dirt and soap scum, leaving behind a streak-free, shiny finish. Its counterpart, window cleaner with ammonia, is the product that isn’t safe for shower doors. Ammonia-based products wear down certain films or treatments that were applied to the glass by the manufacturer. But their biggest drawback is the damage they do to the surrounding metal, including the handle, frame and track. Ammonia eats through the metal’s finish over time, leaving behind an uneven color and texture and marring the look of your shower. Even if you have frameless custom shower doors, avoid ammonia-based products to protect the coating on the glass.

Natural Glass Cleaner

Store-bought glass cleaner works well for weekly maintenance, yet it’s not capable of cutting through thick layers of soap scum. Distilled white vinegar acts as a natural glass cleaner, effectively breaking through layers of film that store-bought products can’t touch, all without harming the frame or hardware around the glass. A paste of baking soda and water also removes tough soap scum, leaving behind a shiny finish. For the most effective solution, rinse the baking soda off with white distilled vinegar. Image Glass also sells our own glass cleaner that our glaziers use in the shop and during your install. Ask us about it!

At Image Glass, we start with the best design, materials and installation techniques and provide the knowledge that you need to keep your custom shower doors looking wonderful for years to come. The goal is to ensure that you are satisfied from the first meeting to the final installation inspection and beyond. To learn more about how each Image Glass Installer can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.

Are Low Maintenance Glass Coatings Right for Your Custom Glass Shower Doors?

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 20:14:44 GMT

When it comes to your new custom glass shower doors, the time to think about how to keep them clean is in the planning stages long before you purchase them or have them installed. While you may have heard of low maintenance glass coatings as one method, is that the best solution for you? No solution is right for every user, but here are some of the facts surrounding glass coatings.

Low-maintenance glass coatings have been around for some time in the residential and commercial glass market. Many claims and promises have been made about their benefits and capabilities. but generally, they help protect shower enclosures from stains like hard water spots via a low-maintenance coating.

These coatings are either classified hydrophobic, meaning they repel water, or hydrophilic, meaning they attract water. Both types of coatings fill in the microscopic peaks and valleys present in virtually every glass surface, resulting in a smoother surface.

The Hydrophobic coatings create a surface that repels water and the minerals it carries, so fewer drops can stick to and dry on the glass, resulting in fewer spots. In theory, this makes it easier to clean the glass with fewer spots that are easier to remove. Hydrophilic coatings create a surface that attracts water, which runs off in sheets and carries away any loose materials. The remaining water that sticks to the glass is spread out, so it deposits the mineral content broadly, and staining isn’t immediately noticeable.

While these solutions mean that you have to clean your custom glass shower doors less frequently, they can add costs and are best applied by professionals. In fact, some of these coatings are applied by the manufacturer before the glass arrives in the shop for final assembly.

For most people, the operative term in all of this is that you have to clean “less often.” That means that you must still clean the glass regularly by other means, but less often. This may be a good solution for homes with children that are unlikely to squeegee the glass after use. For many, the traditional cleaning methods of keeping your custom glass shower doors looking beautiful will do just fine.

Just as with the design of your shower enclosure and the customs shower doors, it’s best to consult with your Image Glass professionals in the initial design phase. The initial design conversations always take into account how you intend to use the new shower enclosure and factor in user profiles. That provides an opportunity to discuss if coatings are right for you.

At Image Glass, our expert glass designers and installers work with you to design custom shower doors that not only meet your aesthetic needs but also your safety needs and how you live. By letting us partner with you on the design, our experienced design professionals can help you to make the best choices without any undue costs or compromises.

To learn more about how Image Glass can help you achieve beauty, efficiency and safety with custom glass shower doors and installations as part of bathroom redesigns, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.

A NJ Glass Installer Explains What To Expect From Cold Weather Window Installs

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 20:11:57 GMT

Whether it’s one window or several, homeowners in New Jersey don’t always get a choice in replacement schedules. Although winter is upon us, it’s not necessarily the best choice to wait until warmer weather. To be honest, most homeowners that desire to wait until warmer weather often revolves around the cold weather entering your home during installation. You should know that having the right glass installer in New Jersey can allay those fears of bringing the winter indoors during the process. Consequently, here is what you should expect from the right glass installer for a cold weather install.

Proper Planning

When doing cold weather installations or any installation or repair, the best installers will plan ahead and provide an outline to the homeowner of how the project will unfold before the work begins. That will reduce the number of entries and exits for the job as well as the amount of time that window openings are bringing in the cold air.

Proper Glass Preparedness

Prior to removing the old product, your installation expert should be double-checking the opening measurements to make sure it will accept the new glass. These measurements should match the finished glass specifications to ensure the right product is being installed. By doing this before the removal of the old glass both before the glass leaves the shop and again when it arrives onsite, the expert installer ensures that the right glass with the right dimensions and specifications matches the right window and frame opening.

Proper Home Protection from Elements and Dirt

The best glass installer in New Jersey will plan for floor padding to protect against dirt, snow, water or construction debris that might be tracked into the house. Other things that are done before the project begins would be to hang plastic over nearby openings to reduce the amount of cold air entering the home and to reduce dust transmission. Delicate hanging items are removed from nearby walls, and when necessary or possible, temporary weather barriers are created to close off the installation area from the rest of the house. Most importantly, they will check that all tools and supplies are in place before work begins.

Methodical Glass Removal Process

It might be more efficient to do it differently, but in cold or other extreme weather conditions, it’s best for the homeowner if the installer works on one opening at a time to reduce the weather exposure inside your home. That means working from beginning to completion on each window before moving to the next.

At Image Glass, each expert glass installer works with homeowners so that every aspect of an installation is covered before the project begins. The goal is to ensure that you are satisfied from the first meeting to the final installation inspection and beyond.

To learn more about how each Image Glass Installer can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.

Why You Should Use a Custom Glass Installation Specialist Rather Than DIY

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 20:04:17 GMT

Every homeowner has a different interpretation of what constitutes a small project or a big project. That interpretation can change when it comes to looking at whether it can be a DIY project for custom glass installation. While the goal for any glass installation or repair is to get it done efficiently and correctly without breaking the budget, you need to see it from a broader view when it comes to utilizing a professional glass installer.

Glass specialists are professionals that have had years of experience that have enabled them to hone their specific skills over time, which is why they can provide warranties on the work they do. That warranty is not only about ensuring that the installation is correct, but that the materials and glass are of the highest quality possible and perfectly suited for the prescribed use.

More importantly, even the small jobs that seem simple often have unforeseen glitches that can’t necessarily be seen at the outset, which can take it from a DIY scenario to a custom glass installation. Improper installation can shorten the lifespan of the product, meaning that investment in a new version might arrive sooner than you think. A professional glass installer can often anticipate and see the hidden challenges before starting the job. Consequently, they can actually save you time and money by providing those insights and presenting any viable alternatives before getting into the project.

Handling and selecting the right type of glass for the job as well as properly measuring and installing is very important. Purchasing glass that will keep heat in (which saves on energy costs), looks good and fits the overall aesthetic of the home are all part of the decision-making process. The bottom line is that working with a professional glass installer can give you the product and the look you need for your home, whether you are building a new home or replacing old windows. The bottom line is that unless you have done all types of custom glass installation projects, you have no idea how it will turn out.

With the professionals at Image Glass, you have a team of experts that have a long track record of projects across the spectrum with a long list of satisfied customers that can vouch for the quality of their work as well as their expertise and customer service. At Image Glass, our expert glass installers and designers are often called upon to deliver truly custom glass installations that help us to improve our design and installation processes for even the simplest jobs. By letting us partner with you on the design, our experienced design professionals can help you to make the best choices without any undue costs or compromises.

To learn more about how Image Glass can help you achieve beauty, efficiency and safety with custom glass installation for your home or business, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists .

Ensuring Safety With Custom Shower Doors

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 19:17:41 GMT

When you have custom shower doors and enclosures designed and installed by Image Glass, that gets you off on the right foot in terms of quality and safety. But in the long term, you have to play your part in ensuring that the doors are used properly and inspected from time to time to keep that high safety standard.

For example, sliding shower doors usually suffer a little more abuse than swinging doors. Slamming them closed (as some children and teens might do) can cause doors to break, especially older ones. Newer sliding and swinging shower doors have soft-close features like kitchen cabinets do, but you can equip older models with a shower door bumper.

Some frameless shower swinging doors can slam shut, but this is often an installation issue. If your shower doors are a DIY project or the installer was not highly skilled, frameless shower doors can get “out of plumb,” which can make for a safety issue as well as making for an unpleasant use experience. If you experience even the slightest misalignment, contact your Image Glass specialists to inspect it to determine if adjustments or even new hinges are necessary.

If you’re debating between framed and non-framed shower doors, rest easy knowing that both are extremely durable. You don’t need a frame for added security, because frameless shower doors are designed to be extra heavy, but light to operate. All of today’s shower glass is tempered safety glass, so breakage is not only remote possibility, but the manner in which they break into rubble-like pieces rather than shards ensures safety. That being said, Homeowners with children need to consider the use of glass shower doors and the make sure their kids understand how to be safe in the bathroom.

At Image Glass, our expert glass designers and installers work with you to design custom shower doors that not only meet your aesthetic needs, but also your safety needs and how you live. By letting us partner with you on the design, our experienced design professionals can help you to make the best choices without any undue costs or compromises.

To learn more about how Image Glass can help you achieve beauty, efficiency and safety with custom glass shower doors and installations as part of bathroom redesigns, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists .

Trends in Storefront Glass for NJ Glass Installation

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 19:09:59 GMT

For NJ business storefronts, storefront glass is about much more than just its appearance and impact on opening the business to the outside world; it’s about ensuring code compliance, building safety and the safety of the public. As the needs of commercial business owners and building regulations change, the storefront glass options for businesses evolve as well.

This can have an effect on the NJ glass installation techniques and the choice of solution provider and installer that you choose for your business. By providing an overview of the trends in storefront glass, new Jersey businesses can get a better idea of what is involved in its changes or additions to their buildings. Storefront systems are a combination of specific types of glass, framing, sealants and weather stripping, fasteners, and more. Because of the evolution of building codes and the storefront systems, businesses must choose a skilled and experienced glass contractor who is up-to- date on current industry trends and standards. Whether you are dealing with permanent storefronts or sliding doors and windows, the individual parts of the system work together to form a complete solution.

Meeting energy efficiency guidelines is a growing concern for storefront glass design and installation, which is a big part of tinting, tempered glass use, and modern frame designs. While double glazed glass improves energy efficiency, that can be increased when it is combined with tinting, which increases privacy and heat transference to the interior. It can also play a part in reducing the distraction from the outside while still providing an open view.

When it comes to frames, the use of aluminum storefront frames provides greater insulation for the building interior while providing an added advantage of reducing heat conduction between panes. The resulting combination of elements reduces costs while simultaneously conserving energy. Today, the addition of innovative seals and sealants also impacts energy conservation as well as increasing the structural support and safety of commercial glass installation.

Professional NJ glass installation for storefronts and commercial buildings requires superior glazing techniques and glazing materials to enhance security and safety as well as the aesthetic look of the storefront. The correct use and application of these seals, sealants and overall glazing techniques can only be maximized when skilled installers work directly with designers. This partnership ensures that they have detailed understanding of the plans for the installation based on the design as well as its fenestration.

Fenestration – the arrangement of glass on different elevations within a building or storefront – is one example of the need for a close partnership between designers and installers. Proper fenestration is key to higher order science that goes into ensuring that the finished design will maintain its needed structural integrity while fulfilling the building’s aesthetic appeal agenda.

By creating a seamless process from design through installation, Image Glass can make a profound impact on a business and its customers. By letting us partner with you on the design of an existing building or new construction, our experienced design professionals and installers can help you to make the best choices without any undue costs or compromises. To learn more about how Image Glass can help you achieve beauty, efficiency and safety with glass installations as part of your commercial storefront design, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists .

Style Focus: Barn Style Glass Shower Doors

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:34:29 GMT

In past blog posts we’ve talked about the primary types of glass shower doors such as pivot, frameless and sliding. Another style that is gaining attention and being used in countless styles of custom bathroom designs are barn style glass shower doors. While this style is uniquely different than every other style of sliding glass shower doors, they are still essentially frameless.

Traditional frameless by-passes still require tracks, jambs and a header; hardly a frameless look! With the new Barn Door Hardware for showers, you can have functionality and also maintain that modern frameless look.

Like any other glass shower doors, the combination of hardware and glass must be of the highest quality and precision to provide the smooth functionality as well as the high aesthetics that homeowners want. Also like other forms of sliding glass shower doors, barn style glass shower doors are also highly functional alternatives for smaller bathrooms where a swinging door isn’t ideal.

It is very important to look for quality when it comes to Barn Doors in terms of the glass used and the hardware, so many off-the- shelf models lack the necessary quality due to inferior hardware. That may include rollers that are too small to adequately and safely support the glass, which can result in uneven rolling functionality after repeated use. The inferior quality aspects can include:

Low quality rollers of an inadequate size and finish detail
Unsightly Seals
Poor header bar quality that sags over time resulting in poor door sealing/closing
Rollers don’t roll with ease

As a consequence, custom glass shower doors are likely the best option to accommodate realizing specific design customization needs. Having a skilled installer working with a designer can ensure that the finished doors are a match of the best and most aesthetically beautiful hardware to the physical and functional needs of the glass shower barn doors with a quality installation.

At Image Glass, our expert glass designers and installers are often called upon to think outside of the shower enclosure box when it comes to custom shower doors and custom glass installation. By letting us partner with you on the design, our experienced design professionals can help you to make the best choices without any undue costs or compromises. To learn more about how Image Glass can help you achieve beauty, efficiency and safety with custom glass shower doors and installations as part of bathroom redesigns, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists .

Using Custom Glass Partitions Rather Than Custom Shower Doors in Bathroom Designs

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:34:12 GMT

With homeowners having endless design possibilities for their bathroom remodel or new construction, glass shower doors are often part of the mix. That being said, not every design requires a full enclosure with glass shower doors, and this can be prompted by design aesthetic, functionality, costs or all three.

For example, many homeowners either don’t want to give up their tub or are trying to save money on a remodel while still having a modern design that features glass in a practical way. This is where a partial glass partition can come in handy for a transitional tub/shower combo remodel. You can avoid closing off the tub entirely with glass sliders (which can look dated) and still get the benefits of a sleek glass look that prevents water from the shower escaping the tub area. The openness at the opposite end of the tub makes it far more inviting for taking a bath rather than a full enclosure that can be claustrophobic.

Not everyone wants a shower or even a transitional shower/tub combo. When you opt for a tub, having glass partitions to differentiate the space from the rest of the bathroom can provide an extra bit of spa quality while still providing a degree of functionality to spate the space for multiple users. Some bathroom remodels simply don’t allow for the space for a larger shower enclosure with custom shower doors. In many instances, the proximity to other bathroom fixtures such as sinks or water closets can preclude a door that pivots, but you still want the clean lines, modern feel and practicality that glass can offer. A glass partition can fill the bill in all respects if it is designed properly for the space.

In situations where space is less of a consideration, and sleek and modern may be high on the priority, some homeowners create enclosure spaces without glass shower doors by using a partial glass wall partition as a backsplash to double sinks on one side that operates as the partial enclosure wall to the shower area on the other side. If you can envision the vanity’s glass backsplash defining the entire space, the single piece of glass serves both spaces equally.

At Image Glass, our expert glass designers and installers are often called upon to think outside of the shower enclosure box when it comes to custom shower doors and custom glass installation. By letting us partner with you on the design, our experienced design professionals can help you to make the best choices without any undue costs or compromises. To learn more about how Image Glass can help you achieve beauty, efficiency and safety with glass installations as part of bathroom redesigns, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists .

How Your Image Glass Installer Can Lower Heat Transmission with Commercial Glass Windows

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:32:12 GMT

Whether your commercial or retail building is located in a warm or temperate climate zone, the upcoming summer means that you’ll need to avoid heat transfer from the glass. Your Image Glass installer understands all about how to ensure that the right glass, tinting and installation methods can help to keep your air conditioning from working as hard in the summer.

Controlling the amount of heat that comes through glass in these cases becomes the dominant design issue. As you may know, heat travels through glass due to direct radiation from the sun and through the transfer of outside ambient heat. This requires selecting glass with some type of thermal control to address both the direct sunlight and the ambient heat.

There are essentially two ways to provide direct solar control with glass. The first is through the use of coatings added to the glass, which reduces heat and UV light transmissions. Tints add color and greater aesthetic interest to the outside of your building while they reduce the visible light transmittance (VLT) through the glass. The degree of reduction depends on the degree of tinting and the color selected. The key to selecting tinted glass is finding the balance to achieve solar control, help control glare and contribute to the aesthetics of the building.

Tinted glass is readily available in a variety of thicknesses (generally between 1/8 inch and 1/2 inch) and can be processed and fabricated similarly to normal float glass making it a convenient way to reduce solar gain. Tinted glass features a full range of color choices such as green, blue, blue-green, bronze, and grey colors. They commonly provide low external and internal reflectance meaning that they are not very mirror-like. They can be laminated, strengthened, and even bent using standard techniques.

Further, they can be used singly or in combination with other glazing in insulating glass units. All of these traits have made tinted glass a common solar control choice in low, mid, and high-rise office buildings, medical / hospital buildings, educational / school buildings and retail locations.

At Image Glass, our glass installer and glass repair experts have a great deal of knowledge about how different types of glass are manufactured and the best practices for use and installation. This enables them to ensure your satisfaction and safety today and tomorrow. To learn more about how the Image Glass team can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.

Design Planning for Frameless Custom Glass Shower Doors

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:32:09 GMT

To make the most of a remodel project that replaces a framed shower with frameless custom glass shower doors requires planning carefully from the beginning. Your Image Glass design specialist can work with you and your contractor to ensure that every aspect is considered down to the smallest detail. To prepare for that initial design meeting, here are some design planning aspects that you should be prepared to discuss.

Planning Size, Shape, Door Swing and Location

Shower size and shape impact a frameless enclosure’s effectiveness in managing water splash. It’s common for our design specialist to recommend at least 42” in depth and 48” in width for the enclosure. Neo-angled showers will require a larger footprint that is at least 54”x 54” minimum. Smaller frameless shower enclosures will inherently have water retention problems, so the overall size of the bathroom and how much space you can devote to the shower is critical.

The layout and footprint also heavily impact the door location s building codes require the doors to open outwards. That means that you will need adequate swing room based on the size and placement of the frameless custom glass shower doors. The minimum consideration should be door widths from 28” to 36” wide for single doors and double doors where wider access is desired.

User convenience is always a prime consideration, so plan the door location for easy reach to shower controls as you open the door. Water management considerations include placing the shower head where it doesn’t directly spray onto the door. Ceiling heights from the shortest to the tallest must be considered as well.

To keep this in perspective to the custom shower doors, Shower glass should be at equal or greater height than the shower head. Surround and architectural features may impact the final height for the shower doors. Keep in mind that steam enclosures require glass to go all the way to the ceiling or to a soffit. Water and steam will require this area to be tiled or made of other water-proof material.

Design Considerations (glass, hardware, finishes, ease of use)

Most frameless glass enclosures use tempered 3/8” glass, but for taller enclosures 1/2” thick glass is a better choice. While some homeowners will want the clearest glass possible, others will prefer some type of texture such as frosted glass or etched glass. Today’s glass choices range from transparent, almost invisible glass to frosted pattern design and neutral designs for privacy. Custom sandblasted designs are available to further personalize your space.

Hardware is more than an aesthetic consideration as it also affects the functionality of the shower in numerous ways. Their placement should be considered in the early design phase.

Build Considerations (surfaces, wall angles curb tilt)

Solid surface materials are a given wherever glass is attached such as horizontal planes where smooth surfaces eliminate grout lines that can collect water. Your Image Glass design specialist will work with your footprint to ensure that all wall surfaces intersect with the glass planes at a 90-degree angle. This is especially important in neo-angle showers. Other considerations include shower drain tilt as well as shower seats and benches have a slight tilt to shed water toward the drain.

Choosing the Right Surround to compliment Your Glass Shower Doors in NJ

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:26:33 GMT

When it comes to glass shower doors, NJ homeowners want all aspects of the shower to match the beauty and functionality of the doors. Shower wall surrounds will compliment those doors if they are custom installed as well. While it’s possible to find good quality shower wall panels at a big box retailer, choosing the right type and having it custom installed are what makes the difference.

When you go to remodel your shower, your goal is to upgrade, which is why most people use tile. There are an almost infinite number of variations available, so your Image Glass design consultant can help you match your style based on the shower and overall bathroom design.

For the better-looking shower wall panels, using decorative PVC composite faux stone wall panels and solid surface the pricing will be comparable to tile. Once again, this is more likely with professional installation.

Often people with custom sized showers choose tile because they assume (incorrectly) this is their only option. For example, solid surface shower wall panels can be pre-cut to the exact size of your walls, which saves time. Other panels (like high gloss and the decorative faux stone panels) are simple to take standard sizes and cut to fit odd sized or shaped walls, vaulted ceiling or angled corners.

The nice thing about remodeling is that it is your vision come to life while still adhering to a reasonable budget. Of course, there are some important considerations that should not be strictly dictated by budget. For example, it can cost a little more to run the panels to the ceiling, but the aesthetic and practical aspects of lower maintenance make it worthwhile.

Before you remodel your shower take time to research the best options for you. At Image Glass, we encourage our clients to put together picture representations of things that they like so that your design specialist can how they fit your budget and your overall design.

When it comes to glass shower doors, NJ homeowners want custom panels that are just as beautiful and practical as the doors themselves. At Image Glass, our glass installer and design experts have a great deal of knowledge about all of the options that compliment your glass shower doors and the best practices for use and installation. This enables them to ensure your satisfaction and safety today and tomorrow. To learn more about how the Image Glass team can help you to achieve beauty, efficiency, safety, and comfort with each installation, call us at (732) 438-8551 to speak to one of our glass specialists.