Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How is glass made?
A. Three inexpensive ingredients, sand, soda ash, and lime, are melted together to make glass. This is done in large furnaces at high temperatures until the mixture become a syrupy mass. When this syrup cools, it is glass.
Q. My windows are foggy; I can’t get them clean anymore. Can they be fixed?
A. Yes, what you are experiencing is likely a seal failure in your insulated glass unit.
Q. I have a crack or a ding in my windshield – is it really important that I fix it right away?
A. Yes because that small ding or crack can grow to be a large ding or crack and be potentially hazardous to the people in the car.
Q. I have a mirror that has black spots. Will it continue to corrode?
A. Probably. Older mirrors and mirrors not properly protected on the back tend to corrode over time as they are exposed to the natural elements of pollution, salt in the air, temperature and moisture changes, etc.
Q. What type of glass do you need in a shower unit or a door?
A. Tempered glass is the type of glass used for safety reasons. When this glass breaks it has the appearance of a car window when it breaks.
Q. Can I protect my glass shower door from water spots and clouding?
A. Yes you can. To do this just find a cleaning/ protective product on your shower door while cleaning. Protecting your glass shower is a must, especially for daily use.
Q. What is difference with framed, semi frameless, and frameless shower doors?
A. Framed shower units are usually the least expensive and have a metal frame all the way around unit. Semi frameless is a 1/4″ glass unit with metal in the hinge area and attaches to a magnetic metal strip on the closer side. There is no metal around the rest of the door. Frameless door is a 3/8″ glass unit with a metal pivot on top and on bottom of door.
Q. What is the best way to clean my mirrors?
A. Mirrors or glass can be cleaned with any glass cleaner on the market and a clean cloth or paper towel. For cleaning or dusting a frame, only use a clean dry cloth. Try not to get cleaning fluid on the frame.
Q. What is the difference between single pane and double pane (Insulated Unit)?
A. Single pane has one piece of glass and Double pane has 2 pieces of glass with an air space in between the 2 pieces.
Q. What is Plexi glass and what is Lexan?
A. Lexan and Plexi glass are two glass substitutes made to endure incredible amounts of force. Unlike glass Lexan does not shatter, in fact it takes several incredible amounts of force to actually break it. Lexan and Plexi glass is used for things like bullet resistant glass, astronaut helmets, football helmets, and industrial safety glasses.
Q. When is it best to use a plastic in place of a glass window?
A. Depending on where it is installed, the choice of plastic or glass can change. Glass is more stiff, but weaker, whereas plastic is more flexible and tougher. If the building in question is a home, glass is preferred. In high winds, glass won’t move or bend which means it less noisy. Plastic would be a better choice for someone who would need a bit more protection, however when there is a storm or high winds the plastic windows will make a lot of noise making the home a little less comfortable for the occupier.
Q. What is the difference between acrylic and Plexiglas?
A. None. Plexiglas is a brand name for acrylic plastic. Another popular brand name is Lucite.
Q. What’s the difference between acid-etched glass and sandblasted glass?
A. Both acid-etched and sandblasted glass use abrasives to create a frosted glass look. Acid treatment is used to created acid-etched glass. While sandblasting is done with a high speed machine that bombards the glass panel with sand, walnut husks or other materials.
Q. What is Tinted Glass?
A. Glass that has a permanent color running through it.
Q. Where is tinted glass used?
A. Tinted glass is used in cars, buildings to reduce heat, sunglasses to prevent all light from penetrating your eyes, etc.
Q. What is Tempered Glass?
A. Glass that has been strengthened by a process of rapid heating and cooling. Once a piece of glass has been tempered it cannot be cut. If it breaks, it breaks into many small pieces. By code, all glass shower doors and enclosures must use tempered or laminated glass.
Q. Can tempered glass be cut?
A. No. Tempered glass is designed to shatter into tiny pieces when broken and will do so if cutting is attempted. Tempered glass is manufactured with heat to strengthen it, and so it does not break into jagged pieces. This glass is typically used in certain parts of your home varying from county to county.
Q. What is Silk-screened Glass?
A. Glass with graphics painted onto it to make it look carved or textured.
Q. What is Reflective Glass?
A. A kind of glass that simply bounces back the light shining onto it, sometimes only on one side making it a one way mirror.
Q. What is Textured/Patterned Glass?
A. When glass has shapes or designs embedded into it.
Q. What is Curved Glass?
A. Curved glass is glass that has been made into shapes.
Q. What is Etched Glass?
A. Etched Glass is glass that has designs carved into them.
Q. What is glazing?
A. Glazing is a transparent part of a wall, usually made of glass or plastic
Q. What is hurricane glass?
A. Hurricane glass is extra durable glass, like plexi-glass or tempered glass. It is used in areas where there are severe tropical storms.