Mark, Author at CGD Glass Countertops - Page 14 of 14

Considering LED and RGB Lights For Your Glass Countertop

Before starting to think about incorporating LED (cool-white, single color) or RGB (multicolored) lights into your project, let us tell you a little about them. First LED (Light-Emitting Diode) was discovered in 1907 by H.J. Round, who was from Britain. In 1927 Oleg Losev, from Russia, reported the creating of LED. However, it was not until 1962 that the first visible-spectrum (red) was made by Nick Holonyak Jr. Followed by his student, M. George Craford, who invented the yellow LED. The first high-brightness blue and cool white LED was developed by Shuji Nakamura in 1994.

Cool white LED is the one used in most of our projects. As you can see in the two pictures below, the same cool white LED lights can create two different looks. Both of these glass countertops have the same texture to them, the only difference is the glass itself. On our website you will notice two options of glass : one being “Ultra Clear” (1), and the other “Aqua Clear” (2). Because the “Aqua Clear” glass itself has a blue-green-aqua tint, by using the LED lights, you are able to accent that color even more. Both of these countertops have a “melting ice” texture and cool-white LED lighting.

If you prefer an even softer look, then a “White Onyx” glass would work well for you. As you can see by the pictures below, it gives a nice look to brighten up any room. Because of the finish on the glass, the LED cool white lighting gives it a matte and light feel, highlighting the furniture and the rest of the room, while creating a relaxing atmosphere.

So, what is the difference between LED and RGB light options that we offer? As mentioned before, LED lighting comes in a cool white color. RGB LED lighting consists of three primary colors: red, green, and blue. The biggest advantage to RGB lights is that you no longer have to decide on one color for your glass project. Between the three primary colors of RGB lighting, when they gradually interchange, it makes so many different shades of turquoise, purple, orange, green, yellow, etc. With a special remote that comes with the lights, you have an option of either having the colors circulate, or pick just one and stop at that. All of the pictures below are taken of the same project. However, because of the beauty of the RGB lights, the customer now has a variety of all these different colors, not to mention, many other shades the lighting creates in between.

So what are some other great things about LED and RGB lights? One of the biggest pros to them is the lower energy consumption. Our clients often ask us, what do we do when we have to change the lights? Well, most likely, you won’t have to! LED lights are recorder to have a typical lifetime anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000 hours; however, heat and circumstances can either extend or shorten that time.

Installing LED lights into your countertop/bartop/glass shelves/ statues/ etc. can most definitely brighten up your project and create an intriguing, dramatic effect. Depending on the “feeling” you want in the room, you have some options that will help you create the desired look. To create bright, colorful atmosphere, use RGB lights. To have a more calm and relaxing atmosphere, you can use “White Onyx” glass with LED lighting. To create a “water” feel for a bathroom, or a bar at the pool house, choose “Aqua Clear” glass with “melting ice” texture and LED lighting.

Please do not hesitate to contact us via our website, e-mail, or by phone in order to discuss what will be the best option for you.

Glass Table Top Chip Repair

Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Glass tabletops have many advantages. They can enhance the look of any room. They are also easy to take care of and are great at protecting expensive wood furniture. However, glass tabletops can chip and crack with relative ease. Luckily, minor chips and cracks can be fixed with a few simple techniques. Here are a few tips on how to repair your glass tabletop.

#1 Evaluate the Damage

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It is important to assess the glass tabletop’s damage to see if repair is even possible. If the damage isn’t too bad, you can then move on to the next step. However, a professional should be contacted if the glass is beyond repair. A trusted source for your glass repair is CGD Glass Countertops.

#2 Glass Repair Kit

Image courtesy of Keerati / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s always a good idea to have a glass repair kit handy. Luckily, you don’t need a specific repair kit. Any car window glass repair kit will suffice. Luckily, minor damages to your glass surface can easily be repaired using these kits.

#3 Make Sure You Have Enough Supplies

In order to make the repair, you need to be certain that your kit has enough supplies to cover the damage. Once you are certain that the kit will work, it is important to clean any debris from the glass. It is also important to put safety first and wear gloves. The last thing you want to do is cut yourself.

#4 Complete the Repair

You want to make sure you follow the directions of the kit very closely and use the right amount of supplies. The directions should instruct you step by step on how to fix your chipped glass tabletop. Hopefully the instructions are clear and you can make the repair with relative ease.

Image courtesy of iosphere / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

#5 Cleaning

Image courtesy of artur84 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Once the repair is done, there should be some excess materials on the tabletop. The next step is to take a razor blade and follow the directions from the kit on how to remove it. Always be certain to go back to the instructions if you are unsure about anything. As always, know your limits and know when it is time to call a professional.

Glass Table Top Edge Styles

The beauty of using glass as a tabletop or countertop is the variations of styles and surfaces that you can choose from. There is such a variety of options to choose from when using glass which makes it ideal for any home project and ensures that you will be able to find the right style for you. Below are a few options of glass table top and countertop edge styles that are available to you.

Along with many variations in the surface texture of the glass countertop, such as sanded, melted, pixels, and linear, we also offer a variety of table top edge styles. Many people don’t realize that the edges of your table or countertop are just as essential in design as the surface itself. It can really tie a room together with the right edge style. Lets go over the options that are available.

The “brushed polished” edge is one of the most popular. This look is accomplished by brushing down the side and leaving it with an opaque finish. This is a great look for kitchens or bathrooms.

The “textured edge” is used for that natural finish and usually used in combination with the sanded or melted tabletop finish. The textured edge gives the glass a rough bumpy edge that is perfect if you are going for a less manufactured finish.

The “fire polished” finish is one of the most popular finishes for kitchen and bathroom settings. The fire polished look is clean and clear, it allows you to actually see the texture inside the tabletop and creates a sharp modern look for any kitchen or bathroom.

We offer a variety of colors, textures, thickness and surfaces to assist you in finding the perfect fit for your home or office. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions on the different finishes and how they can be applied in your home or office.

How Durable are Glass Countertops?

Recently, glass countertops have seen a resurgence in popularity. Glass countertops provide an excellent choice for any home and are breaking the mold of standard materials used in home building. Not only are glass countertops strong and durable, they are also absolutely stunning. Most people think of glass countertops for their beauty but what many don’t know is how durable glass countertops truly are.

Glass countertops have incredible strength and durability because they are not susceptible to cracking or chipping under normal wear and tear conditions. In fact, their strength and durability equals even the most common countertop materials like marble and granite. Additionally, glass countertops are heat and stain resistant as a result of their non-porous surface. Glass countertops won’t scorch, burn, or melt. In fact, the only product that compares to the durability of glass is quartz.

Unlike other materials like granite and marble, glass countertops require very little maintenance. As a result, glass countertops don’t show signs of aging like some of their stone counterparts. They also do not need any special sealant like other stone countertops. Their non-porous surface makes the countertops very hygienic and easy to clean. It is difficult for germs and bacteria to hide on the surface of glass. All you need to do is clean the countertops with regular glass cleaner and a soft sponge. It’s literally that easy. Make sure not to use an abrasive or strong chemical to clean your countertops.

Although tempered glass countertops are extremely strong, it may chip, scratch, or break if you drop an excessively large object on it or if you are constantly putting it through a substantial amount of abuse. However, if you make an effort to take care of your glass countertops they will look as great as the first day you had them put in your home. This is one of the many reasons why glass countertops are so popular right now.

At CGD Glass Countertops, we strive to create the most beautiful and unique glass kitchen countertops. Let our team of highly skilled artist and craftsmen turn your kitchen into a one of a kind work of art.

Please Call Us Today For More Information!

416-398-9733