Stainless Steel vs Glass Countertops
- At May 31, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops
0
Today we will be doing a comparison of two countertop materials Stainless Steel & Glass. This overview will focus on the pros and cons of both materials to help compare the two options as a kitchen countertop material.
[divider] [/divider]Stainless Steel Countertops Pros & Cons
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Stainless Steel is a steel alloy that contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium. This type of steel does not corrode quickly and has many commercial and residential uses based on the different types of finishes.
[one_half]Pros:
- Durable
- Heat Resistant
- Stain Resistant
- Non Porous
- Hygienic & Easy to Clean
Cons:
- Scratches will happen
- Can dent if not careful
- Cold look and feel
- These counters are Noisy
- Will leave Fingerprints and Smudges
- Very Expensive (More than glass and granite)
Glass Countertop Pros and Cons
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Glass comes from sand, silica being the main ingredient in sand and is melted at 1700 Degrees Celsius. Some other materials or minerals may be used to add or change the color and trans-lucidity. Our thermoforming process allows us to then form the glass into a variety of different types of countertops. Glass countertops can also be customized with various textures, edge styles, surface treatments, & LED lighting.
Pros:
- Versatile, easy to form shapes with
- Can create unique layers to add lighting, space, or artwork
- Non-Porous
- Heat Resistant
- Low Maintenance and Easy to Clean
- Various textures to choose from
- Highly Customizable
Cons:
- Finding High quality glass manufactures may be difficult
- Expensive
- Repairs may be difficult
- Sharp objects may scratch surface
If you’d like more info on glass countertops and how they compare to other materials contact us today!
Glass Countertops for Outdoor Kitchens
- At May 15, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops
- 0
CGD Glass specializes in creating some of the most gorgeous glass countertops in the world. We have created glass countertops for all types of homes, kitchen, bathrooms, spaces, and personalities. But one glass countertop use that is largely overlooked by many is creating a custom glass bar top for outdoor kitchens. Glass lends itself very well as an outdoor construction element and custom glass bar tops for outdoor kitchens are a great way to impress your friends and family. Make your next backyard event stand out with a custom glass countertop by CGD Glass!
Check out some of the recent glass countertops for outdoor kitchens CGD Glass has produced:
#1 – The below installation was created for one of our clients to enjoy with their outdoor kitchen area as a bar top, it features our white onyx glass and has a 1 ½” thickness. It also has some beautiful cool white LED under lighting for a beautiful night time effect.
#2 – The below outdoor kitchen was designed with 1 ½” thick aqua clear glass and our melting ice texture. It also has some beautiful cool white LED under lighting as well.
#3 – The below glass bar top is one of our favorite countertops that we have built for any of our clients. It has some gorgeous under lit LED lighting with our 1 ½” thick aqua clear glass and melting ice texture.
The LED lighting looks spectacular during the evening.
As you can see glass countertops lend themselves perfectly to outdoor kitchen bar tops and can truly transform your outdoor experience! Call us today and speak with one of our glass experts to see how we can design a new glass countertop for your outdoor kitchen.
The Glass Counter Breakfast Bar by CGD Glass
- At May 01, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops
- 0
Here at CGD Glass we get a lot of great feedback from our clients on how they enjoy our products. We have gotten many fruitful and great ideas from this feedback and one of the most common seems to be the use of our raised glass countertops as a beautiful breakfast bar. It is a natural transition as raised bar glass countertops tend to lend themselves to a bar experience and breakfast is a great way to enjoy that experience!
Let’s take a look at some examples of our raised glass countertops and how they accommodate the breakfast bar top experience.
#1 – Thin Horizontal Extension
Although most raised glass countertops extend upward to give a “raised” experience to the existing bar top, the above example also horizontally to provide even more room for a delightful brunch.
#2 – Extended Stainless Steel Raised
This unique raised glass countertop is an ideal breakfast bar. It is raised via stainless steel bars that extend from the floor and existing countertop adding a beautiful elevated space to enjoy breakfast and mimosas.
#3 – Steel Substrate Raised
This is another example of a steel raised glass countertop, the difference here is that it is raised using a steel substrate which is connected directly to the existing bar top. It is also situated right next to the stove for a personal “hibachi” breakfast experience.
#4 – LED Lit Wrap-Around Raised Countertop
Another wonderfully unique creation by CGD Glass, this raised countertop has beautiful LED under lighting and is a full wrap-around of the existing countertop for maximum extra space. Pull up a few bar chairs and you’re ready for a wonderful breakfast experience.
As you can see the raised glass countertops we uniquely create for all of our clients are a perfect set-up for a breakfast bar in all aspects. Our ability to create custom products for your home experience is limited only by your imagination so call or email us today to learn how we can transform your home with custom glass!
Commercial Glass Bar Tops by CGD Glass
- At April 15, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops
- 0
We here at CGD Glass have noticed a big trend towards glass bar tops being used in commercial spaces, specifically high-end restaurants, nightclubs, & bars. The appeal of having glass as the bar top material for a commercial space is extraordinary because of ease of cleaning and the gorgeous appeal the material brings to the space. Below we will go through some of our recent Commercial Glass Bar Tops projects.
Del Monte, California High-End Restaurant
This was a custom bar top built for a gorgeous high-end restaurant and bar near Monterrey, California. The glass type is our signature Ultra Clear Glass with 1 ½” thickness and the melting ice texture. It also has custom LED lighting under the bar top.
Nassau, Bahamas High-End Pub
This beautiful custom bar top was created by CGD for one of our clients in the Bahamas looking to bring a beautiful centerpiece to their bar. This bar top features our Aqua Clear Glass with ¾” thickness and our melting ice texture. It is also equipped with LED lighting.
Toronto, Canada High-End Restaurant
This bar top was created by CGD for one of our clients high-end restaurants in Toronto (where our headquarters are located) and features some beautiful accents. This bar top was made with our Aqua Clear Glass with 1 ½” thickness and our very popular melting ice texture with our signature under-lit LED lighting.
This is just a small portion of some of the gorgeous commercial bar tops we produce here at CGD Glass, for more info on our glass bar tops or any of our glass countertops contact us today!
Glass Countertops for Bathrooms by CGD Glass
- At March 30, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops, Uncategorized
- 0
CGD Glass has made a name in the interior design industry for our custom glass countertop designs. Our stunning glass designs have been featured in homes, offices, restaurants, & even full-scale commercial projects. Although many people associate our designs with glass kitchen countertops we also produce some gorgeous glass countertops for bathroom use. Many of the same reasons that make glass so popular in the kitchen also make it a popular choice for bathroom countertops as well. Some of these reasons include a clean & modern feel, hygienic superiority, ease of cleaning, & of course the elegant design.
Let’s take a look at some of our custom glass bathroom countertop designs:
#1 Aqua Clear Glass 1″ with Above Counter Sinks
The natural blue green tones of this counter top bring out the open feel and look of this gorgeous bathroom space.
#2 Aqua Clear Glass 1 1/2″ with Above Counter Sinks & LED Lights
This beautiful counter top features aqua clear glass, 1 1/2″ glass, our “melting ice” glass texture, & textured edges to complete the look.
#3 White Onyx Glass 1 1/2″ with Under-mount Sinks
This bathroom counter top features our signature white onyx glass, 1 1/2″ glass, & texture edges. The open white feel of this bathroom gives a classy, clean look to this bathroom.
#4 Ultra Clear 1 1/2″ with Steel Raised Substrate & LED Lights
This stunning counter top features our melting ice texture, textured edges, LED lighting, & 1 1/2″ glass. It is also the highlight of this modern bathroom.
If you’re interested in getting a glass bathroom countertop or just looking for more info contact us today!
6 Popular Glass Countertop Types
- At March 18, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops
- 0
Glass as a countertop material is exploding in popularity. The popularity of glass countertops has increased mostly in kitchen uses but they also have many uses in commercial and residential spaces. Some of the most popular types of glass countertops are kitchen, raised, island, bathroom, bar, and even table tops. Below are some examples and different types of glass countertops throughout your home and some great examples of CGD’s amazing designs!
Glass Kitchen Countertop
CGD’s Thermoformed glass kitchen countertops are a great example of how each countertop can be uniquely designed. Our Kitchen Countertop designs can supplement your homes design and bring out some beautiful qualities around your kitchen. CGD Glass can be shaped to your wants and needs and we enjoy designing beautiful unique pieces for each of our clients. Popular for its simplicity, this piece doesn’t take away from the simple design and manages to add a modern look and feel.
[divider] [/divider]Raised Glass Countertop
Here is an example of how beautiful a raised glass countertop may look in your home. This design adds style and class to what is just a simple countertop. Raised glass is as strong as any of our other styles and can be added to an existing countertop, regardless of material. Add contemporary style to your kitchen with a raised glass countertop, these are popular for their aesthetically pleasing design and extra table space available by extending the raised countertop further than the countertop itself.
[divider] [/divider]Glass Kitchen Island Countertop
The most popular place for a glass design is the Glass Kitchen Island Countertop. Glass is an amazing material that works great for the kitchen area because it is a non-porous material that allows for easy cleaning and a sleek flat surface. The LED lights are very popular in kitchens because they emit a low light while adding a pearl white tone to your Glass Island Kitchen Countertop.
[divider] [/divider]Glass Bathroom Countertop
One popular way to complete your Bathroom is a wonderful Glass Countertop. Our Aqua Clear and Ultra Clear Glass are very popular in the bathroom because they add to the shower/bathroom feel. Textured glass with LED Lights is a great example of how one can add a certain look and feel to your bathroom design.
[divider] [/divider]Glass Bar Countertop
Glass bar tops are most popular in commercial projects and some larger residential projects. Glass Bar tops are typically requested for restaurants and bars, but occasionally are custom made for some larger home-based projects. Drinks will of course spill on your bar top, but having a glass bar top will make it easier to maintain as well as clean.
[divider] [/divider]Glass Table-Top
Glass table tops are most popular in your study space or work space at home. Glass has a clean feel and allows for one to focus completely on whatever is in front of them. Whether studying, drawing, working or writing you want to have a clear space and mind to work with. Glass is the perfect table-top material for your work space and are available at CGD with nearly any customization!
9 Reasons Why Your Bar Top Should be Glass
- At March 02, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops
- 0
There are many options when choosing a material for your Bar Top but in this post we’re going to go over why glass should be your number one choice. Glass has many unique properties which make it an optimal choice for any countertop, but the material lends itself especially well for Bar Tops. Bar Tops are typically known as being a place of disaster, whether it is spilled or condensing drinks or just left over grease, glass will be much easier to clean than other materials. Below are 10 Reasons why your Bar Top should be Glass:
- Glass is easy to clean
- Glass usually has a flat surface which allows for easy cleaning
- Textured Glass will also be easy to clean because of the surface being non-porous
- Glass does not absorb liquids
- Glass is a Non-Porous material (Meaning it does not have openings like a sponge)
- Glass is water resistant and most accidents can be cleaned with just a paper towel
- Glass typically has a flat surface
- This gives a bar top a modern look and feel
- Allows glass to shine when clean
- Glass is durable
- Glass Bar Tops are single piece glass slabs which are made very durable
- Glass is a dense material
- Raised Bar Tops are possible because of glass’s durability
- Glass can be made stronger
- Glass can be made anywhere from a ½inch thick to 2inches thick
- Glass can be infused with other materials in order to be made stronger
- The Properties of glass are changed during the production process in order to produce a stronger form of glass.
- Glass doesn’t stain easily
- Glass is nearly impossible to stain, the non-porous surface doesn’t allow for any liquids to further absorb into the glass
- Most stains are not permanent the surface of glass can be buffed out or simply wiped off.
- Glass is completely recyclable
- Glass materials are 100% recyclable
- No material is lost during recycling
- Glass comes from sand and can be melted into glass
- Color sorting at Recycling Facilities provides jobs around the world
- Glass is a hygienic material
- Glass is considered to be a hygienic material by the food industry
- Its water-resistant surface makes an easy clean
- Glass is unique!
- Glass is a unique naturally made material
5 things that won’t happen to your Glass Countertop Design
- At February 16, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops
- 0
While researching glass countertops you may have ran into some bias & myths towards glass. Much of this is based on general glass and does not apply to the quality of our thermoformed glass countertops. Let’s go over some of the common things that people believe about glass countertops that definitely will not happen to your CGD Glass Countertop.
Glass will not break easily
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The durability of glass is always in question. However, here at CGD we work hard to infuse glass with the right properties in order to obtain higher durability. The thickness of glass is also relative to its durability, the thicker the glass the more durable the less thick the less durable. For designers using glass we recommend buying thicker glass for heavily used areas in your home and less thick glass is required for lesser used areas.
Glass will not be difficult to clean
Glass is easy to clean due to its non-porous surface, this flat surface cannot absorb most harmful solvents, chemicals or products. A Glass Countertop will be a much easier to clean than other porous materials you could choose from.
Glass will not bend over time
Though glass is an amorphous solid, (A solid that morphs over a long period of time) it will not bend but rather distribute its weight because of gravity over a very long period of time. It was believed that glass was a liquid in a solid state but it is actually a solid with liquid like properties. This just means that glass is solid at normal temperatures but can be superheated into a liquid form.
Glass will not stain
Glass is a non-porous material which will not absorb liquids and solvents easily. The less porous a material is the more likely will repel stains from other products. This makes glass a great choice for your kitchen design, this is where the most mistakes can happen which require the most attention. So keep in mind while designing your glass that nonporous material will bounce back from most stains with little to no trouble.
Glass will not lose material during recycling
One of the biggest plusses in the glass industry today is the ability to fully recycle glass materials. Glass is a unique natural resource which can be re-melted and re-shaped for other uses. With almost little to no difference besides color differences, glass can be melted together to form a brand new design or product.
Glass is a unique material which provides natural aesthetics throughout your home. The sleek material gives any house a clean look as well and easy cleaning. We recommend looking through our portfolios and projects for more ideas. For more information contact us at: (416)-398-9733
Choosing your Glass Countertop Design
- At February 01, 2015
- By Mark
- In Countertops
- 0
List of things you will need to know about your Glass Countertop:
- Measurement & Thickness
- Glass Type
- Glass Texture
- Glass Edge Work
- Glass Surface Treatment
- Glass Color (Optional)
- Substrate (Optional)
- LED back lighting (Optional)
List of Different Countertop Locations and Styles:
Glass Countertops
Whether deciding on a Glass countertop for your Kitchen or choosing a glass countertop for your Bathroom, there are a few essential items to know before beginning the design process. The first is having the dimensions of the countertop which includes the width, length and height. The height can be considered the thickness of your glass which can be ½”, ¾”, 1” & ½”. The next choice is glass type, here at CGD glass we have two different types of glass to work with, one is our ocean blue Aqua Clear and the other is our pearl white Ultra Clear.
Ultra Clear
Aqua Clear
Aqua Clear& Ultra Clear
After choosing your dimensions and style you can start deciding on the detailing you would like for your glass countertop. CGD glass has a wide selection of textures with some of our most popular ones including desert, flow and avalanche. These are just a few of the texture designs we have available here at CGD Glass.
Desert
Flow
Avalanche
The other two parts of texture that affect the look and feel of your glass includes the edgework and surface treatment. Edge work is the textured corners of the glass your countertop/tabletop and surface treatment is how the surface is designed using different forms of treatment. Some examples of our edge work include: flat polished, fire polished and satin as seen below.
Flat Polished
Fire Polished
Satin
Surface treatment is an added effect for your countertop surface. This unique treatment adds some of the most vibrant and colorful effects to make your countertop look as unique as possible. It is an optional treatment but can add the extra design you are looking for! For example we have our Green Onyx, colored and Stone wash below.
Green Onyx
Colored
Stone Wash
After choosing your type, dimensions, texture, edgework and surface treatment there is still more customization available! We have a lot options for colored glass type that include Back Painted, Opaque, Rusty and Translucent. Below are some examples of colored designs and the different types of options available.
Back Painted Colors:
Dark Beige #143 Metallic
Jet Blue Metallic
Silver #50 Metallic
Opaque Colors:
Amber Opaque
Silver
Gold
Rusted:
Rust Gold & Black
Rusty Gold
Translucent:
Blue
Amber 2
Brown Light
Multi-Colored
As you can see, the selection here at CGD Glass is nearly endless! We have many different techniques for approaching glass and because we have had experience and a love for glass we will keep us pushing for the best designs possible. However, we still aren’t finished customizing your glass design!
In order to protect your glass from being scratched or damaged easily, we can add a layer of substrate under your glass countertop. This substrate is optional but it can help protect your glass from any coarse material in-between and prevent your glass from cracking as easily. The substrate acts like a padding that can spread the weight more evenly along your table top/counter top. Substrates can also be used for raising your glass tabletop for added effect or styling. Here are some examples:
Substrate
Substrate 2
By now your countertop is nearly done, but we want to look at all of the options available to make your countertop as unique as your thumbprint. LED lighting for countertops has become a very popular way to add lighting and a futuristic look to your home. Here are some the available options at CGD Glass.
Cool White LED
Color Changing LED RGB Lights
Cool White LED
There is almost an endless possibility for your glass countertop here at CGD, we hope that choosing your design has been made more enjoyable with so many options available. We always recommend doing more research and perhaps taking a look at what others have done with their glass countertop designs. Below are some of our finished countertops so that you may better your own design further.
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Whether you are deciding on a Glass Island, (Raised) Countertop, (Bathroom) Countertop, Bar Tops, or a Glass Table Top we believe we can help create the best design for your home. Call Today formore Information or a Quote!
7 Things You Didn’t Know About Glass
- At January 16, 2015
- By Mark
- In Uncategorized
- 0
1. Glass was not originally man made
- When lighting makes contact with sand, the high temperatures melt the sand to form glass.
- When Lava or Volcanos heat up it forms Obsidian, another form of glass which is dark and naturally occurring
2. Man has been making glass for a long time
- Findings from Egypt and Mesopotamia are the oldest manmade glass dating as far back as 3500BC!
- Telescope and Microscope lenses were originally made in the Netherlands 1590AD
3. Glass can be recycled and reused without losing any purity
- Recycled glass conserves anywhere from 5% up to 30% energy compared to making glass from scratch
- Recycled Glass keeps high amounts of Carbon Dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere during the process
- Bottles and Jars made of glass contain up to 25% of recycled glass
- Recycled glass is sorted by color to keep up with bottle “Color Standards”
4. Fiberglass is glass which is pulled into threads and then woven into fiberglass
- Fiberglass is used to control temperature and for insulation in homes all around the globe.
5. Glass can be made into stronger or weaker forms of glass
- Tempered Glass goes through thermal and chemical treatments to be made into stronger glass
- Tempered Glass does not break into large pieces but rather breaks into many small fragments
- Windshield glass is tempered glass with a laminate holding it together so it doesn’t fall apart when shattered or broken
6. Glass can be Carved, Sandblasted, Fused, Slumped, Casted, Melted and even Sculpted
- Some common technologies to form glass include Thermoforming, Laminated Glass, Glass bending, and UV Bonding
7. Glass can be Opaque, Translucent, Back painted, Rusted, and treated with Special color treatment
Glass is a versatile material which has many uses in today’s society, from windshields to light bulbs, most need or use glass on a daily basis without even knowing it. Here at CGD we work with glass every day and specialize in thermoforming glass countertops & other forms of architectural and decorative glass. We have been doing so for over a decade with love and care. We put our full effort on every piece of glass we produce and have picked up many glass techniques and technologies to give us everything we need to create your unique piece of for your home or workplace!