Five Great Reasons to Customize Your Glass Accent Piece

When shopping for glass accent pieces and other home décor, most of the time, what you see is what you get. You may be able to choose the color of the piece, but that’s pretty much it. Since these pieces come preassembled, there’s no room to change the size or shape.

However, you’re a unique person. Why shouldn’t your home décor be as unique as you are? That’s our philosophy at CGD Glass Countertops. We’re a glass manufacturer based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. While countertops are part of our name, we also specialize in glass doors, panels, backsplashes, sinks, and more.

If you’re in the market for some new additions for your home, you may have some questions about customization. We’re happy to answer them. Here are five reasons to consider customizing your glass piece from CGD.

1. Uniqueness — The only thing better than having a brand new appealing glass accent piece is having a brand new appealing glass accent piece that no one else does. When you customize your backsplash, sink, or more with us, you’re ensuring your glass piece is one-of-a-kind. It’s not something someone can find in a store. It’s not something someone can find online. You’ll be the only one with anything like it.

2. Flex Your Creative Muscle — If you’ve ever remodeled your home, you’ve played the role of interior designer. If you had fun with that, you’ll love customizing your glass piece with us. There’s no limit to what you can do. You can alter the size, shape, and color of your item. You can even get some of our glass items backlit with color-changing LEDs.

3. Make Sure It’s a Perfect Fit — You want your glass accent piece to be perfect. We get it. When you shop with us at CGD, we ask for the measurements of the room before we send you a quote. We also ask for blueprints or drawings. This lets us get a clear idea of the room so your glass item is the ideal size.

4. No Color Clashes Here — It’s probably happened to you: you’re out shopping, you find an item you love, and you bring it home only to find that it doesn’t quite match the rest of the room. Oh no! When you customize your glass piece with us, you never have to worry about color clashes. You can choose to get your glass backpainted nearly any color of the rainbow. Of course, if you want your glass item to be translucent, we can do that, too. It’s up to you.

5. Conversation Starter — Undoubtedly, when friends, family, and neighbors visit, they’re going to notice your appealing glass accent piece. They’ll have all sorts of questions, such as where you got it and how much you paid. You can boast about how the item is customized and thus totally unique. You’ll definitely always have a conversation piece at the ready though!

Visit our website, CGDGlassCountertops.com, to start browsing our customizable glass accent pieces today.

It’s Trend Season! Which Should You Follow For Your Home Remodel?

The new year is all about rebirth; shedding old habits that we don’t want to carry into another year. Now’s the time everyone decides to join the gym, get a haircut, and try out a new wardrobe. Now is also the time when we’re bombarded with home trends. There’s trends about color, style, design…just about everything you can think of.

The good news is that you don’t have to follow or abide by all these trends. Some of their advice can be conflicting, and you don’t want to make yourself crazy. How do you discern which trends are worth watching and maybe even emulating? Just follow your own personal sense of style and these useful tips.

If you’ve noticed that home décor has taken on a more ecofriendly tone, you’re not alone. When considering a glass accent piece, why not get it backpainted all the earthy colors that Mother Nature provides? At CGD Glass Countertops in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, we customize almost all our glass products, from backsplashes to countertops, sinks, panels, and partitions.

Backpainting is our way of infusing some color into our glass pieces. We let you choose the color and then we paint the back layer of the glass. The result is an artistic, totally one-of-a-kind piece you’ll be happy to call your own.

Metal is back in. Colorful metals as well as traditional copper, brass, and gold are shining all the more brightly in 2017. These metals go especially well with glass. What about a copper coffee table with center glass panels? That’s a conversation piece you’ll love to show off for years to come.

Texture is also big this year. Glass has quite a unique texture, making it one that doesn’t necessarily always spring to mind when remodeling a home. However, the thickness and durability of glass makes it a great fit for a variety of projects, such as the ones we’ve mentioned above. Wood and glass go together especially well, and the textural contrast these two materials create is totally on point with 2017’s trends.

Are you ready to start shopping these looks today? Just contact us at CGD Glass Countertops by phone or by email. We’re happy to send a quote along once we learn more about your project. You can send us room measurements, blueprints, or even a drawing of the space and we’ll work hard to get you a fast quote.

At CGD, we strive to create timeless glass accent pieces that transcend yearly trends. After all, we know that remodeling your home is an expensive endeavor. If you’re going to do it, then you want to do it right the first time. You don’t want to have to keep shelling out money.

We’re here to help. No matter what kind of project you have envisioned, with our customization services, we’re sure we can create the kind of glass product you had in mind. Your home is like an empty art canvas right now. It’s yours to decorate however you see fit. Call us at CGD Glass Countertops and we’ll help you get there.

Sources:

http://www.dcourier.com/news/2016/dec/30/home-decor-trends-2017-are-all-about-ease-comfort/
http://www.vogue.com/13516224/home-decor-decorating-trends-2017/

Are You Trendy? Why Architects Now Prefer Building with Glass

Do you have a glass accent piece in your home? How about a glass countertop, bar top, or backsplash? Maybe you’re into glass furniture like tables or desks. You could even decorate your bathroom with glass vanities, sinks, and shower doors. If you do, you’re actually ahead of the curve in terms of trendiness.

You may not have even known it, but glass architecture is bigger than ever before. According to a November article from Lloyd Alter at TreeHugger, architects are turning to glass as a building material more now than ever before. So why the shift? What’s changed? Glass has always been a durable, dependable, trustworthy material. Are people just realizing this now?

Somewhat. The architects he spoke to describe how there’s a class delineation that’s present with glass: those who can afford to design buildings with spacious glass windows and panels and those who cannot. Alter says this is especially apparent in the UK.

However, no matter where you live, you’ve probably seen this trend in action yourself. Think about a high-rise apartment or home you may have seen with floor-to-ceiling windows. Doesn’t it seem classier and more high-end than one with traditional smaller windows?

That said, Alter does mention that some residents in the UK have griped that these spacious glass windows and panels have allowed them to become too exposed to others. While this can certainly be an issue, those who are considering larger glass panels for their own home don’t have to worry when they order from CGD Glass Countertops. This Toronto, Ontario, Canada company does produce large glass panels, but they allow their customers to customize the texture and transparency of these panels for the ultimate in privacy.

There are some other interesting notes in the TreeHugger article that are worth mentioning. Alter described how these glass buildings tend to be more energy-efficient. Imagine all that natural sunlight that floods into buildings with large glass panels. There’s no need to turn on the lights until at night, which saves on energy bills. The sun can even warm up these spaces, preventing the need for furnace use in the winter.

He also mentioned how “dust and dirt harboured germs that must be destroyed by fresh air and sunlight.” Indeed, these homes are generally cleaner because bacteria simply cannot stick around with all that bright natural light. Also, glass surfaces are generally a lot easier to clean compared to leather or wood, which may require a special cleaner. With glass, a little bit of soap and water does the trick.

While Alter is cautiously optimistic about glass architecture, the biggest problem he mentions again and again is privacy with such large glass panels. Luckily, when you contact CGD Glass Countertops, in a way, you can have your cake and eat it, too. You can still have privacy through textured glass but enjoy the many benefits that glass architecture offers, including better energy efficiency and less grime and dirt. To learn more about CGD Glass Countertops, call us today.

What You Can Do with Glass Panels

The beauty, the durability, the boundless creativity: glass panels can dress up any room. Whether used for residential or commercial purposes, these panels create mystique and appeal in any room in which they appear. What’s even better than their looks is their versatility, in that they blend into offices or homes, making their uses nearly endless.

Are you considering getting glass panels for your home, office, or commercial project? Contact us at CGD Glass Countertops in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We’re a decorative glass design and manufacturing company. We produce a variety of glass pieces you can use to accent your glass panels, including sinks, backsplashes, bar tops, kitchen islands, and countertops.

If you do want glass panels, you may be wondering just how you can use them. At CGD, we’re happy to explain the many uses our customers have found for their own glass panels. You may notice, looking on our website, that we also sell glass partitions and you may be wondering: what’s the difference? Is there any?

Yes, and the difference is huge. While we encourage our customers to move their glass partitions from room to room as they see fit, glass panels are meant to be stationary, left in one place. You can affix these to the wall and sometimes even the ceiling. These aren’t bound by shape or size. You want panels that mimic pillars? You’ve got them. You want panels that are engraved to look like decorative artwork? No problem.

You’re only limited by your imagination. At CGD Glass Countertops, we encourage our customers to let their creativity shine as they customize our many glass items. Almost every glass item we manufacture is intended to be altered to the customer’s specifications. You can customize your glass panels to your heart’s content.

How? By sending us a drawing or blueprint of what you want your panel to look like. We will then make it to the best of our abilities. We also offer some cool texture customization options, allowing you to add even more depth and creativity to the final product. Some of our exclusive textures include the look of gently folded glass, the deep crevices of an avalanche, the spacy calmness of the galaxy, and the hope and serenity of melting ice.

Don’t stop there though! At CGD Glass Countertops, we don’t necessarily believe that glass always has to be translucent. It can be, and we do sell it that way, but we also offer a process known as backpainting. With this, we liven up any glass item, including panels, by painting the back of the glass in a color of your choice!

Our semi-translucent colors are muted but still beautiful. Sky blue injects a subtle dose of color, red is for the bold, neon green is for those who like to make strong statements, and multicolored is for those who don’t want to choose. We also offer opaque colors like the soft and beautiful amber, rich gold, and eye-catching dark blue. To learn more, contact us at CGD today.

How to Decorate a Room with Glass Panels

Are your walls looking a little plain? Do you want to fill them with something besides framed photos and artwork? Glass panels instantly add pizzazz to any wall. No matter what your design plan and your budget, you can get a glass panel that works for you. Do you love the paint color you chose for a room? Go for slimmer panels that don’t hog up too much wall space. Are your walls dinged up and dingy from years of kids and pets in the house? Choose a larger panel.

Of course, if you’ve never bought glass panels before, you may not be sure how to decorate a room with them. By following these tips, you can create a classy, relaxing atmosphere you will be proud to call home.

In the living room, a large glass panel, as mentioned, can take the place of artwork. This may be a more budget-friendly remodel than buying pricy antique paintings. It also may be cheaper than getting new wallpaper or crown molding. You’ll be surprised at how different your living room looks with just this one change. Glass is naturally translucent and can reflect light back, instantly adding more brightness to the living room. You may even be able to do away with a lamp or two, freeing up even more space.

Wish your bathroom could look like those you see on those home remodeling websites? A glass panel can make this a space of serenity. Try a slimline panel that creates a border around the whole room. This can distract from other wear and tear that bathrooms naturally experience over time, like a tub that’s not as white as it once was or sinks that are no longer as polished.

Glass panels even work in the bedroom. Get a full-length floor-to-ceiling panel if you really want to brighten up this space but still want your privacy (since, after all, these panels are not windows). You’ll wake up with the sun each morning raring to get your day started. There are few better feelings than that.

Suffer from lack of productivity in your home office? A glass panel can keep you rejuvenated. That extra brightness will prevent fatigue from hitting you mid-afternoon, plus you may even get some vitamin D even if you can’t step outside for a break. That vitamin is linked to better bodily and mental health.

Finally, you can even dress up your kitchen with a glass panel or two. If you don’t have a lot of wall space, keep these panels smaller or slimmer to accommodate. Try frosted glass if you’re worried about the glass fogging up with condensation once you start cooking dinner.

If you’re ready to order a glass panel today, contact us at CGD Glass Countertops. We’re a Toronto, Ontario, Canada company that specializes in glass products of all kinds, ranging from partitions to panels to countertops, sinks, and everything in between. All you have to do is send along a drawing or room measurements to get your quote today.

Sources: http://www.houzz.com/glass-panel

Tips on Getting a Quote for Glass Accent Pieces

You’ve found a glass accent piece that really appeals to you. You’ve spent time visualizing how it would look in a living room, bedroom, bathroom, or other room in the house. You think you’re finally ready to take the plunge and order the item, but you’re not sure about the cost. You know a glass item like this is an investment, and as such, the money you spend now will give you years of quality and beauty later. However, you want to be sure.

There’s no need to guess about the cost of these lovely glass accent pieces. Just ask for a quote instead. These tend to accurately reflect the price of the item. If there are extra charges, such as for delivery or installation, these will be included in the quote as well. At the end of the work, there are no surprises for you the customer. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be spending so you can save or set aside some cash.

Need some tips and advice on understanding and getting the most accurate quote? Here’s what you need to know.

Most prices for items are relatively static, although these can change at any time. If you’re getting a customized glass accent piece though, plan for even bigger price fluctuations. Some glass manufacturers and retailers, such as CGD Glass Countertops in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, offer customization options for the vast majority of their glass items, such as sinks, partitions, frameless shower doors, bar tops, and countertops.

These items can be customized in many ways. You can choose the glass texture, if you want it painted for more color, and whether you want LED lights. Obviously, smaller glass items with fewer additions will be cheaper than bigger pieces with all the bells and whistles. Your quote should always reflect that.

If you are indeed getting an item customized, you want the glass manufacturer to get the item right the first time. Otherwise, this can lead to wasted time and money. To prevent this, do as much as you can. CGD Glass Countertops encourages customers to send along a blueprint or drawing of where the glass accent piece should go. You should also measure the room or the space for this new addition and send this along. Again, having accurate information right away means an accurate quote.

Once you get the quote, don’t hold back if you have any questions. Remember, you likely have a set amount of money you want to spend on this glass addition. If the quote is a sum total and isn’t broken down by manufacturing, delivery, installation, and other miscellaneous charges, ask why the number is what it is. Keep shopping around until you find a company that is within your price range.

At CGD Glass Countertops, we’re happy to help you at any stage of the shopping process. We can assist as you create the glass accent piece of your dreams. We’re happy to discuss our quote in depth with you until you’re satisfied. Since most of our items come mostly installed, those charges should be less, making CGD a great option for customers on a budget.

Sources: https://www.xero.com/us/small-business-guides/business-management/price-quotes/

Cook a Lot? Consider Upgrading to a Glass Countertop

Who doesn’t want an appealing kitchen? It’s no wonder that thousands and thousands of Americans spend thousands and thousands of dollars a year remodeling their kitchens. Cabinet and shelving materials, flooring, and countertops can look dated after just a few years. There are always newer and better materials, some that are tech-friendly and others that are better for the environment.

If you cook often, your kitchen is probably as contemporary as possible. It may even be futuristic compared to your friends and neighbors’ kitchens. You take pride in your kitchen just as you take pride in your food. You know you need the best appliances and the best materials possible to help you cook the most delicious meals.

In that case, why don’t you have glass countertops? If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen yet again, glass is a great material to choose for a multitude of reasons. First, it’s incredibly durable. When you order glass countertops or other glass materials from CGD Glass Countertops in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, you can choose the width of your countertop so it’s thick and tough. You won’t have to worry about chips, dings, cuts, and other damage that can gradually accrue as you cook. Glass is meant to last.

Glass countertops are also easy to clean. With a wooden surface, crumbs and microscopic food particles can get caught between the woodgrains. You can’t necessarily easily clean these, leading to bacterial growth and the chance for the family to get sick. If metal has small, ornate details, food can also get trapped there, making this a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Glass surfaces are often smooth (although you can customize your glass texture any way you like when you order from CGD), and only require a soft microfiber cloth and some water to clean away grime, stains, and food particles.

Besides being totally functional, glass also looks good. If you want your kitchen to look as modern as possible, and even futuristic, you’ll love the glass options from CGD Glass Countertops. As mentioned, you can customize any and all parts of your glass countertop, including the texture, edging, and backpainting. This lets you add a dose of color to your countertop. No matter the color of your kitchen, you can definitely find a matching hue. Feeling bold? Try bright metallic reds, blues, yellows, purples, and greens. Want all eyes on your kitchen? A multicolored backpainted countertop will do just that.

You don’t have to stop there. CGD Glass Countertops also proudly offers LED lighting on some of its countertops. Imagine this: you cook a fantastic meal you’re very proud of, and you invite the family to fetch their dishes on a countertop glowing in the evening. This is one way to ensure your countertop is a step ahead of the competition. These lights can be a single color or can even be multicolored, switching between warm and enveloping hues.

To learn more about remodeling your kitchen and getting an appealing glass countertop, contact CGD by phone or email.

Uh-Oh! Broke a Glass Accent Piece? Here’s What to Do

It’s probably happened to you before: you accidentally drop a drinking glass and it shatters to the floor. Perhaps you’ve broken a mirror or even a window. What do you do in each of those cases? Carefully sweep away the glass shards, replace the broken item, and get on with your life.

However, when it comes to glass accent pieces, especially ones that are custom designed, the answer isn’t so simple. What do you do if you break something like that? While decorative glass is typically made to be thick and durable, if dropped or slammed, it will break or at least crack. You may have bumped a backsplash in a cooking frenzy or damaged a glass partition when cleaning.

So just what do you do? Well, there are a few methods that could potentially salvage your unique decorative glass piece.

In some cases, if the damage is incredibly minor, like a few chips or a small hairline crack, glue or a similar product could reseal the glass for further use. However, this will not work in all cases and even if it does, the glue may not be a long-term solution. If it gets wet, it may fail to work at all, leading to further damage to the glass item.

Sometimes replacement glass may be able to fix the problem. Of course, this all depends on what type of glass item has broken. Is it a shower door? Replacement glass should do the trick. Is it a backsplash? That should work too. You can even try this method with damaged countertops. However, if it’s a colorful or textured item, it will be nearly impossible to find similar glass for repairs.

Of course, when dealing with broken glass, always be very careful to avoid cutting yourself. You should also work gently to avoid further breaking the fragile glass. Do be aware that in some cases, it’s just not possible for you to take care of the job yourself. That doesn’t necessarily mean the glass accent piece is a goner. You should just call a professional.

CGD Glass Countertops is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada glass manufacturing company that produces and sells decorative glass doors, panels, partitions, sinks and vanities, backsplashes, bar tops, kitchen islands, countertops, and more. These items are often customized with unique colors, textures, and sometimes even LED lighting.

Depending on the extent of the damage, a CGD Glass Countertops professional may just suggest you get a replacement piece. If you remember the options you chose when getting your decorative glass piece in the first place, replicating it shouldn’t be too difficult if you rely on CGD.

In the future, when cleaning or dealing with glass accent pieces, make sure to treat them gingerly. While glass is a fantastic material for household goods and decorative items, and while it’s far from fragile if produced by a quality company, accidents do happen and glass can still break. Luckily, you can call on CGD Glass Countertops in such a situation.

Sources: http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Repair-Broken-Glass-/10000000177770680/g.html

The Advantages of a Glass Countertop

You have to admit, you’ve been charmed by the appeal of glass countertops. This material is beautiful and can be as simple or ornate as one wants. If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen and getting a new countertop, you may be strongly considering getting one made with glass. However, something is giving you pause.

Perhaps you’ve heard a horror story or two from a friend or coworker who had a beautiful glass structure that shattered. This makes you nervous about choosing glass for the main material of the countertop. Of course, any material is only as good as the company that manufactures it. Those contemplating getting a glass countertop should consider the many advantages of glass.

First, it’s durable. It all depends on the thickness of the glass. Obviously, a thin, flimsy glass mirror probably won’t hold up as well as a heavier glass countertop. CGD Glass Countertops in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a renowned glass manufacturing company that specializes in making and selling lasting glass countertops. The company also produces glass doors, panels, partitions, sinks, backsplashes, bar tops, and more.

Next, a glass countertop is easy to clean. The kitchen is arguably one of the messiest rooms in the house since everyone’s always cooking, eating, or otherwise dealing with food. Over time, stains and messes can ruin even the most stain-resistant countertop, leaving it yellowed and sticky. That’s not so with glass. It won’t ever get to that point since cleanup is so easy. You simply need a soft cloth and some warm water and the stains come right off. If dealing with a particularly stubborn stain, add a little dish soap to the cloth.

Not only is glass easier to clean, it may keep the family healthier. How often do you deep-clean your kitchen, gutting all the cabinets and shelves to get at every dark and dusty corner? How often do you scrub the wood to make sure no stains or dirt are left behind in those subtle crevices? What you miss could lead to the spread of germs. Glass has no such crevices, reducing the chances of everyone getting sick.

These are also customizable beyond belief. If you want a simple countertop to match the rest of the kitchen, this can easily be done. If you want something more complicated, like an interesting shape, textured glass, colored glass, and sometimes even backlit glass, CGD Glass Countertops can more than likely make this a reality. You certainly don’t have those sorts of options when choosing a wooden countertop.

Speaking of wood, how well does it really hold up to hot temperatures? You probably do a lot of cooking in your kitchen, so the oven is on often. Wood is likely to warp. Once that happens, there’s nothing you can do about it. Even metal may not be totally resistant to changing temperatures. Only glass can handle a cold beverage and a warm dish at the same time.

Interested in ordering your glass countertop? Contact CGD Glass Countertops today.

Sources:  http://nlcatp.org/7-critical-pros-and-cons-of-glass-countertops/, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-a-glass-countertop.htm

Tips on Glass Maintenance and Cleaning

You’ve invested a lot in your glass accent piece, whether it’s a door, large panel, partition, sink, backsplash, countertop, decorative item, or something else. If you buy any of these items from CGD Glass Countertops in Toronto, you know these are made of durable, thick glass that is customized to your liking and is sure to last for years to come. However, you still need to handle the glass with care. Here are some tips on glass maintenance and cleaning for long-term beauty.

If you have any window cleaner around the house, feel free to use this on your glass products. If you’re feeling especially handy, you can even make your own with a bit of vinegar, water, and rubbing alcohol mixed into a spray bottle. Alternately, some soap and water also suffices in a pinch.

While you can choose from practically endless textures at CGD Glass Countertops, including ones that mimic the flow of running water, the sands of the desert, the pixels from your favorite old school video game, and the vastness of space, you don’t want to wear down these textures over time from cleaning. If your glass is smooth and translucent, you also want to avoid ugly streaks or smudges. Just what do you use to clean then?

You can try a few different options. Use a rag, a discarded t-shirt, a squeegee, or a cloth specially made to clean glass. Just make sure that whatever you use is especially soft to prevent accidentally scratching or damaging the glass. You can even try using a newspaper to give that beautiful glass accent piece an appealing shine. Of course, you have to make sure you don’t accidentally get the newspaper soggy, since the ink will bleed. You should also probably wear a pair of rubber gloves to avoid transferring the ink to your fingers.

If you don’t want to waste a perfectly good sunny day spending time cleaning your glass pieces, you don’t have to. Experts actually recommend getting out the cleaning products on a day when it’s rainy or cloudy. This gives plenty of time for your cleaning products to dry naturally so the glass is left sparkling.

As you clean, make sure to follow a certain technique. You want to avoid smudges, so don’t go bottom to top. Instead, do the opposite. This prevents excessive amounts of liquid cleaner from pooling down and ruining the polished appearance of the glass.

Just how often should you clean your glass accent pieces? There’s no real set timeframe. If you want to polish these weekly, you can. If you want to clean them once a month, go for it. You put the thought and money into these timeless glass accent pieces, so you want them to look as good as possible.

Of course, if you have any questions about your glass products, feel free to reach out to CGD Glass Countertops. You can call 416-398-9733, send an email to info@cgdglass.com, or fill out a handy form online, where you can also upload images and other files.

Sources: http://www.minneapolisglass.com/technical-documents/cleaning-and-maintenance-instructions.asp, http://housekeeping.about.com/od/bathrooms/tp/10-Glass-Cleaning-Tips.htm