Creative Applications of Our Aqua Clear Glass

Glass is primarily translucent, but when you choose to work with CGD Glass Countertops, that’s far from your only option. Whether you want your glass accent item backlit or backpainted, we have plenty of ways to inject color if that’s what you so desire.

In fact, you get the opportunity to let your creativity shine throughout our glass customization process. That’s right, you can customize nearly all our glass items, which range from countertops to decorative glass doors, panels, partitions, sinks, and backsplashes.

The first option you get in terms of customization is choosing the color of your glass. Our aqua clear glass base is semi-translucent and a pale, delicate color that doesn’t overwhelm. It’s the perfect pairing for many a household and office item.

If you’re contemplating whether aqua clear glass is right for you, let us show you how some of our past customers have designed accent pieces and items with this winning glass hue.

Bathroom Countertops

An aqua clear countertop adds a pop of color to a plain white or ivory bathroom. Unlike paint, it doesn’t fade. You also don’t have to worry about water damage or humidity warping or cracking the glass. It will hold up for years.

One of our clients elected for a smooth aqua clear glass countertop with no texture or edging work. It really made a difference in their bathroom. See for yourself.

Sinks

If you’ve decided to buy a textured glass vessel sink, then you want all the design intricacies to stand out as much as possible. With a sink tinted in our aqua clear glass, you can achieve that goal. The glass is semi-opaque but looks as thick and sturdy as all our CGD products are.

Here’s an example of a beautiful sink in aqua clear glass.

Raised Glass Countertops

A raised glass countertop already adds a unique edge to a home bar, home kitchen, or office kitchen. The translucent nature of the glass panel lets your countertop design shine.

If your countertop is a neutral hue, then a raised glass countertop in aqua clear glass is the perfect choice. This creates a nice contrast so the glass panel isn’t too matchy-matchy. Take a look at what one of our clients did here.

Their white and gray countertop was an ideal match for a raised aqua clear glass panel. Friends and family can rest their glasses and drinks on this panel without damaging it. If there are any stains or residue, all you need is soap, water, and a soft cloth to wipe up the glass.

Backsplashes

Create the illusion of a rushing body of water with your glass backsplash. That’s what one customer did, and it truly looks like a work of art. Check it out for yourself.

With our aqua clear glass and backlighting, all the waves and rushing curves of this glass backsplash texture are on display.

If you’re ready to design your own aqua clear glass masterpiece, call CGD Glass Countertops today at 416-398-9733.

It’s Summertime, Which Means It’s Time to Dust off Your Outdoor Glass Kitchen Island!

Although we here at CGD Glass Countertops are a Canadian company, we can’t help but feel enthusiastic when big summer holidays like the Fourth of July roll around. Though there may not be any barbeques and fireworks here on that day, but summer has arrived nonetheless.

That means you’ll be doing more outdoor entertaining than ever. Now is the perfect time to dust off your outdoor kitchen island! What if you don’t have a kitchen island to call your own? Just reach out to us at CGD Glass Countertops. Countertops are what we specialize in, but customers love our kitchen islands just as much.

Glass is a great material that is ideal for outdoor cooking and entertaining. Here are some of our favorite features of our outdoor glass kitchen islands.

No Need to Worry about Sun Fading

Don’t you hate when you invest in a beautiful piece of outdoor furniture only to find that after a year or two, all that sun exposure has damaged and faded it? That won’t happen with a glass kitchen island. Even if you get your glass backpainted (a unique service offered here at CGD Glass Countertops), your colors will last for years. Glass surfaces can handle a bit of sun exposure without fading or getting too hot. You can’t say the same thing about your metal outdoor furniture.

Durable in Many Conditions

It’s not always beautiful and sunny every day, even in the summer. Sometimes it’s windy and rainy. Depending on what kind of outdoor furniture you have, you may have to move it each time a storm rolls in. After all, you would hate for your metal surfaces to get wet or your cushions to be waterlogged.

Don’t worry about that with your glass outdoor kitchen island. It can handle a bit of rain.

Cleaning Is as Easy as One-Two-Three!

If you have stains and messes to clean up, you won’t need to expend much effort with glass. Just grab a soft cloth, some soap, and water, and you’ve got everything you need for the kitchen island to look spotless. There’s no need to invest in expensive specialized cleaners again and again.

Speaking of cleaning, if you’re concerned about germs, you don’t have to be with an outdoor glass kitchen island. Since the cleaning surface is totally flat, there are no small crevices and corners in which germs can hide. Once you wipe up the kitchen island, all germs are gone.

Reliable Beauty Year after Year

Glass is such a stunning material for kitchen islands, countertops, bartops, and many other items. Each year that you go outside to use your outdoor glass kitchen island for the first time that season, you’ll be amazed and inspired by its boundless beauty. Glass requires minimal upkeep, just that you clean it and use it carefully. If you do, you should expect years and years of enjoyment.

Why not get yourself an outdoor glass kitchen island this summer? Call CGD Glass Countertops today at 416-398-9733 to get started.

Why a Custom Glass Project Is the Right Choice for You

Everyone knows that a home is so much more than just a house. It’s a sanctuary, a private haven. It’s a means of self-expression, where everything from the colors of the walls to the flooring and artwork has your own personal stamp on it. It’s your own little slice of this big, vast world. Why settle for anything less than extraordinary then? This is your home we’re talking about here, and you want it to be special. Here at CGD Glass Countertops in Toronto, so do we.

That’s why we’ve helped thousands of residential customers just like you make their home one-of-a-kind. How, you ask? With our range of custom glass projects. Any of the items on our website are available to be customized to your liking. We can adjust the thickness of the glass item, making it heavier or more lightweight if that’s what you prefer. You can select the shape and size of the item as well. You can even opt to get it backpainted for more color or get LED lights installed.

If you’re thinking of taking your home from ordinary to extraordinary, consider these customized glass projects from CGD.

Decorative Glass Doors

We’ve written about decorative glass doors a lot on this blog, and that’s because we just can’t get enough! These doors are classy, beautiful, and transform any room. It’s no wonder then that our CGD staff often recommends glass doors for both residential and business purposes. From the office to the bedroom, let the light in.

Panels and Partitions

If your walls are looking a little plain, glass panels are the answer. These are more affordable than some artwork yet create the same ambiance. You can select every last aspect of your glass panels for a perfect fit that works with your style.

Glass partitions are perfect for dividing a room, decorating an empty corner or space, and creating privacy. These partitions can be sheer for their looks or frosted to create a private alcove.

Glass Sinks

Porcelain bathroom sinks are so tired at this point. There’s always a risk of these cracking or yellowing over time. Don’t take your chances! Instead, get a stunning glass sink installed in your bathroom. These can be recessed, on a raised pedestal, or even wall-mounted. No matter which you choose, you can expect the high quality you’ve come to know and love from CGD Glass Countertops.

Countertops and Bartops

Since “countertops” are in our name at CGD, you know we specialize in these. Whether for a kitchen, bathroom, or other space in the house, glass countertops are a stately and smart addition. These are far more durable than some outdated materials like Formica. Bartops will also take your home bar from blah to bravo!

Call Us Today

These are just some of the customizable decorative glass items available at CGD Glass Countertops. To view our full portfolio, learn more, or get a quote today, give us a call at 416-398-9733. We look forward to making your glass dreams a reality.

Spruce up the Office Kitchen with a Glass Countertop

Employees gotta eat, right? That’s why the kitchen breakroom is arguably one of the most popular places in an office building. This is where employees take a break, make coffee, get water, heat up lunch, and maybe engage in some office gossip. Of course, what an employee does on their lunch hour is, for the most part, their business (within reason, of course), wouldn’t it be nice if more employees wanted to hang around the office for lunch?

Meeting this goal starts with the look of your kitchen breakroom. If this is an appealing, modern space with functioning equipment, then of course employees wouldn’t mind bringing in their own lunch or making something fast here. If your breakroom looks like it’s several decades old, though, who would want to be in there?

With a glass countertop from CGD Glass Countertops, your kitchen breakroom can exemplify the high-quality the rest of your office possesses.

Here are some of the options at your disposal.

Raised Glass Countertops

Raised glass countertops feature an elevated layer of thick glass. This takes the basic countertop and makes it extraordinary. When you work with us at CGD, you get to design your countertops from start to finish. With raised glass countertops, you can choose the glass thickness so you can be assured of its longevity. You can also select from traditional translucent glass or aqua glass for the base, which is a pale blue glass.

The raised countertop portion is mounted, so installation is easy. The staff at CGD will take care of installing the raised glass countertop for you. You’ll enjoy more space in your kitchen breakroom than ever before.  

Traditional Glass Countertops

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with traditional countertops. Those offered by CGD will blow whatever countertop you currently have out of the water. You can still choose the thickness and so much more. For instance, there’s the glass edgework. Not only can the edges of the countertop be straight and pointed or smooth and rounded, but you can choose the appearance, too. Options include fire-polished for a translucent sheen, satin for less sheerness, textured to add plenty of dimension, and brushed satin, which is semi-sheer.

Glass Tabletops

A glass tabletop may be more to your liking over a countertop. These are ideal for inviting employees to stay and eat their lunch at the office. With ample tabletop space, your kitchen breakroom will become like a trendy little restaurant.

Make sure your glass tabletops stand out with backpainting. This is a service from CGD Glass Countertops that you won’t find anywhere else. Our staff will paint the back of the glass with a color of your choice. You can even combine colors for a truly out-of-this world tabletop that looks like art.

Glass Bar Tops

If space in the kitchen breakroom is an issue, then go with glass bar tops. These are yet another option from CGD that would make any breakroom stand out more. Also making this room stand out is our LED lighting options. Whether you want clear lights or colorful ones, send us some info about your breakroom today and we’ll get you a quote.

Light It up! Four Reasons You Need Countertop LED Lights

LED lights have become the standard in homes, providing hundreds of hours of illumination in most instances. These lights are beloved for their intensity and brightness as well. Have you ever wished you could do something a little extra with LED lights, like get them installed in your kitchen countertop? At CGD Glass Countertops, you can.

Here’s four reasons to light up your kitchen with LED lights.

Cool White LED

1. They Add a Unique Element to Your Kitchen

The first reason we recommend you consider LED lights for your kitchen countertop is because of how unique these lights are. Have you even ever heard of countertop lighting before you read this blog post? Unless you’ve visited the CGD Glass Countertops website before (or our sister site, CBD Glass), then probably not.

Your home will be the talk of the neighborhood once everyone finds out just how awesome your kitchen really is.

2. They Make Any Countertop Look More Expensive and Valuable

The glass countertops available from CGD Glass Countertops look expensive on their own. That’s because you get to customize so many different elements, such as the glass thickness, the type of glass base used (clear or aqua blue), any textures you want (from a myriad of beautiful designs), edge working and surface treatments, substrates, and even if your glass is back-painted with a smattering of pretty colors.

The icing on the cake is the LED back-lighting. The value of your kitchen will look significantly higher than it is. Not only then will your kitchen become a conversation piece for friends and family alike, but the curb appeal of your home also goes up. Does it get any better?

3. No More Bruised Shins!

Everyone gets hungry in the middle of the night sometimes. Of course, the trip from the bedroom to the kitchen often means crossing through several rooms in the darkness. It’s easy to bump into walls. Once you reach the kitchen, you might hit your shin on a cabinet or kitchen island shrouded in darkness.

That’s annoying, not to mention painful. With LED lighting on your kitchen countertop, you don’t have to worry about bruised shins anymore.

4. They Just Look Cool

Last and certainly not least, LED lights look amazing! You get so many impressive lighting options if you shop with CGD Glass Countertops. For instance, you may be interested in the cool white LED lights, which glow a neutral color in the darkness. You might want lights in red, blue, or green to add a dose of color to your kitchen. If you can’t decide between your favorite hues, you don’t have to! You can also get color-changing LED lights that switch between the above-mentioned colors.

If you want to learn more about getting your own countertop with LED lighting, contact us at CGD Glass Countertops today. We only require you measure your kitchen and the countertop or kitchen island you want installed. If you can include a drawing or blueprint, that helps as well. We’ll then get you a quote. It’s that easy!

The Simple Appeal of Raised Glass Countertops

Architecture plays a big role in how appealing your kitchen is. As much as the color of the walls or the material of the countertop can change the look of your kitchen, so too can the way the various components of the room are designed.

For instance, plain, boring countertops can age your kitchen considerably, especially if these are made of a dated material like Formica. Your first inclination might be to rip off these old countertops and start over. A new material might do the trick for a few years, but it’s sort of like a Band-Aid. It only masks the problem.

Instead, it might be worth considering redoing your countertops from the bottom up. Raised glass countertops create an elegant aesthetic your kitchen or private bar has been missing. Not quite convinced? Then read on. We’ve compiled four great reasons to consider raised glass countertops.

1. Glass countertops are sleek and modern.

What else is there to say? Glass is a timeless material that blends in with any décor you might already have in your kitchen. Whether that’s a unique wallpaper pattern, funky and colorful décor, or even an eccentric dining set you can’t bear to part with, a glass countertop won’t clash with these interesting decorating choices.

Not only that, but the look of a raised glass countertop adds the modernity your kitchen or home bar might be lacking.

2. These countertops can totally change the feel of your kitchen.

As you know if you’ve read this blog, sometimes a single significant change in your kitchen makes the space feel brand new. If you get rid of your old, clunky, out-of-date countertop and replace it with a raised one, your kitchen will look and feel brand-new. Your countertop will be the new focal point of this space.

3. You can decorate them any way you want.

You probably certainly have a new dream countertop in mind. How many shops would you have to go to in hopes of finding that dream countertop? You could waste months shopping around without finding the exact match for what you want.

That’s not so if you order your countertop from CGD Glass Countertops. You can customize your glass countertops any way you want. If you want a pale aqua blue base instead of a translucent one, you can get it. If you want the edges rounded or textured glass to really let your countertop stand out, that’s all up to you. You know that when you shop with CGD, you’ll be satisfied with your final product every day.

4. You’ll love eating and drinking on a glass countertop.

A raised glass countertop is so easy to maintain. Yes, that’s right, in addition to its beauty, you’ll quickly realize how fast it is keep your countertop clean. With a soft wet cloth and some soap, all stains, crumbs, and sticky messes are gone. There’s no crevices for bacteria to hide, which makes these countertops healthier, too!

Ready to design your ultimate raised glass countertop? Contact us at CGD Glass Countertops today.

Start off the New Year Right with a Beautiful Glass Kitchen Island

Over the past two months of the holiday season, you probably spent quite a lot of time getting reacquainted with your kitchen. Between basting turkeys, baking cookies, prepping sides, and making other meals, you’ve been in the kitchen almost more than any other room in the house.

While of course all the hustle and bustle of holiday cooking can be stressful on anyone, don’t you wish there was an easier way to prepare food during the holidays and any other time of the year? There is: with a kitchen island.

Here at CGD Glass Countertops, our kitchen islands are designed to be gorgeous and functional. You get all the beauty of glass that our customers love with the lasting durability of each glass product we custom-design.

For instance, if you already have countertops from us, we can match these to your kitchen island. If you want your kitchen island to stand out and be its own unique element, we can do that as well.

Here are some of the options you get to choose for your customized kitchen island:

• The glass thickness and measurements
• The glass type, including Ultra Clear (translucent glass base) or Aqua Clear (pale blue glass base)
• The glass texture, such as Linear, Pixels, Desert, Avalanche, Galaxy, Flow, Stream, Sandstorm, and Melting Ice, with some available with Ultra Clear or Semi-Frosted textures
• The edge work, including Fire Polished, Satin, Flat Polished, Textured, or Brushed Satin
• The surface treatment, with options like Stone Wash, White Onyx, and Green Onyx
• Backpainting colors (which are optional), such as Sky Blue, Multicolored, Copper Light, Bronze Semi-Frost, Rusty Gold, Charcoal Gray, and Jet Blue Metallic
• Substrates, which are also optional
• LED lights, including single-color lights or multicolored lights

Imagine preparing a big meal with your kitchen island designed according to all the options above. You can even get it backlit so your kitchen glows at night.

Of course, January has just started, which means you may be a little reticent to spend money right now. We get it. If you’re still on the fence about getting a kitchen island, we hope these reasons will convince you:

• Glass kitchen islands are easy to clean, especially when you order one from CGD Glass Countertops. You just need soap, water, and a soft cloth for wiping down the island.
• Since our glass is such high-quality, it comes free of crevices where food debris and bacteria can hide. That makes your kitchen island a hygienic surface in which to prepare food.
• A kitchen island gives you more counter space, which is especially handy if you have many people in the kitchen at once or you’re making a big meal.
• By getting a glass kitchen island installed in your home, you can increase the curb appeal of your property.

Are you convinced now? We hope so. If you want to get started designing and planning your dream kitchen island today, our staff at CGD Glass Countertops is ready. Contact us online and we’ll work on putting together a quote.

Your Holiday Gift to Yourself? A Kitchen with Upgraded Glass Features

You’ve got your spouse, your parents, your children, your friends, a few coworkers, and your aunt and uncle who are coming up from out-of-state for the holidays. Is there anyone else you forgot to get a gift for?

As a matter of fact, there is. What about yourself?

Yes, that’s right, you should treat yourself to something nice for the holidays, too. A kitchen with upgraded glass features makes the perfect gift that not only you can enjoy, but the whole family as well.

You’ve probably always wanted to remodel your kitchen, but you just can’t allocate the funds. With a few upgraded features, you’ll have what looks like a brand-new kitchen for less!

Not sure where and what to shop for? Here at CGD Glass Countertops in Toronto, we specialize in all things glass. Our pieces are customizable so you’re always happy with your result. Here are some of the kitchen items we specialize in.

Sinks

Whether for the bathroom or kitchen, our glass sinks are utterly gorgeous. The sleek, textured glass in customizable colors will make your kitchen one of your new favorite places to be. We also make vanities, which are a bathroom essential.

Backsplashes

If you don’t have a backsplash currently installed in your kitchen, you’re going to wonder what you’ve been missing. Backsplashes protect juices, liquids, food particles, and other cooking messes from splashing up on your wall and staining it.

You’ll be impressed with the looks, too. When you order your backsplash from CGD, you can customize it any way you want, including the shape, size, and color(s). It’s your kitchen, so have your way.

Countertops

Impress friends and family this holiday season with stunning, sleek glass countertops. With different glass thicknesses available, as well as various textures, edge details, and colors, you can guarantee your glass countertop is a one-of-a-kind home addition. You can even potentially get LED lighting installed so your kitchen glows!

Tabletops

Wooden tabletops are so boring. Upgrade with a glass tabletop that makes cleaning up post-food messes a breeze. Just grab a soft cloth and wet it and most stains, sticky spots, crumbs, and messes are gone. That’s it. There’s no special (and expensive) cleaners. Just wipe and you’re done.

Kitchen Islands

Kitchens are often bustling places, especially if you have family staying over. You might have up to three people in the kitchen at once jockeying for position. Bumping elbows with relatives is no fun, especially if it’s before you’ve had your morning coffee.

A kitchen island provides another food prep space away from all the action. These islands are trendy and really structure your kitchen. You can choose to match your kitchen island to your countertop or you can go a totally different route. It’s completely up to you.

If you’re ready to treat yourself this holiday season, give us a call at CGD Glass Countertops at 416-398-9733. You can also reach us through an online form on our website or you can just send us an email at info@cgdglass.com.  

How a Glass Countertop Will Make Your Thanksgiving Cooking Prep Fast and Easy

Although it passed in Canada, Americans are already preparing for their Thanksgiving. It’s the unofficial start of the holiday season, and, if you’re having extended family over, it can be a very stressful day.

After all, you’re going to spend most of your time in the kitchen, cooking and prepping food for the big feast. There’s the bird itself as well as countless side dishes like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Oh, and who can forget the pumpkin pie and assortment of desserts?

If it’s Thanksgiving preparations—not the tryptophan—that leave you drained by the end of Turkey Day, it’s time to rest easy. With a sleek new glass countertop from CGD Glass Countertops, you’ll find it’s so much simpler to make Thanksgiving happen.

Curious how? Allow us to explain.

No Risk of Spreading Bacteria

Raw turkey isn’t exactly sanitary. You’re probably in the habit of washing your hands as much as you can while handling the bird, which is good. What about all the countertop surfaces the uncooked turkey sat on, though?

With a wooden countertop, the woodgrains wear down over time from cutting, dicing, and other food prep. Small crevices form in the woodgrain, so if you just give your wooden countertop a cursory wipe-down, you’re probably not cleaning all the bacteria off the surface like you thought you were.  

Like most uncooked poultry, there’s a risk of contracting salmonella if you’re not careful.

With a glass countertop, especially from CGD, you don’t have to worry about spreading bacteria. Your glass countertop will be a smooth, flat surface with no tiny crevices for bacteria to hide.

Stains, Spills, and Sticky Spots Wipe up Easy

When you’re cooking three or four things at once, your kitchen isn’t exactly at its tidiest. That’s okay; it happens, especially around the holidays. That said, the longer those stains, spills, and sticky spots sit on a wooden countertop, the worse the damage becomes.

Depending on the size of the liquid spill we’re talking about here, warping becomes a possibility. Plus, you might have to scrub and scour to clean the stain away if it sets.

With glass, you can let stains sit for a while and get to them when you can and they’ll still wipe up clean. There will be no stickiness, no discoloration, and no hint that you ever spilled a thing.

How about that for a holiday miracle?

Crumbs and Food Residue Are Gone in a Flash

The aforementioned tiny crevices in wooden countertops also make the ideal place for crumbs and food residue to get trapped. It’s not exactly sanitary to prepare and eat food on these surfaces once that happens.

With glass, all you have to do is moisten a soft cloth and wipe in one direction. The crumbs and food residue are gone, just like that. You’ll have enough headaches on Thanksgiving, so this is one you can avoid.

If you’re interested in learning more or ordering your own glass countertop today, contact us at CGD Glass Countertops. We’re available via online form or by phone to answer your questions.

Rebuilding after the Hurricane? Glass Countertops Are Cost-Effective

From Texas to Florida, Louisiana to Puerto Rico, the slew of hurricanes that ripped through these areas from late summer to early fall caused major damage. Just because these hurricanes are no longer in the news doesn’t mean the people in these ravaged areas don’t need help. They do.

Many people evacuated during these storms, only to come back and discover their homes had been completely ripped away. Some still had the foundation of their property but almost everything had to be gutted and started over.

At this time, as the rebuilding process begins slowly, many homeowners across the country are thinking about cost-effectiveness rather than attractiveness.

Donations and aid are trickling in, and insurance may cover some of the damage, but homeowners who want to rebuild right away may end up relying mostly on their own wallets to do so.

That may mean choosing cheap options for countertops and other home additions. This seems like a good idea at the time, because these countertops are cheap.

These homeowners aren’t necessarily thinking long-term, which is okay. They have a lot to worry about already. Yet within a few years, that cheap Formica countertop will have lost its value and become an eyesore.

If you’ve been affected by any of the hurricanes and you need to rebuild your kitchen or other rooms in the house, we implore you to consider us at CGD Glass Countertops. We’re a glass designer and manufacturer that’s based in Canada. We customize many of our products, including our countertops, so our customers get a unique experience every time.

We know glass is a great countertop material, and we think you’ll agree. Glass has a timeless appeal, a subtle beauty that enhances any room without stealing away attention. You can get your glass transparent or colored any hue you wish with our one-of-a-kind backpainting.

Glass is also quite affordable, making it a cost-effective option. Here at CGD Glass Countertops, we’ll provide you with a quote before work starts so you know exactly how much you’re spending. There will be no surprises.

You’ll also find that glass is quite easy to clean, which is great for keeping your kitchen tidy. Other materials, such as wood, have tiny holes within the grain that are ideal hiding places for bacteria to grow.

As you wipe up your wooden countertop, unless you give it some elbow grease, you may not fully remove that bacteria. That makes the countertop a hotbed for illness, especially if you have little ones running around.

With glass though, there are no such microscopic crevices in which germs can hide. You simply use a soft cloth and some water and wipe in one direction. Your glass countertop will be clean right away. Stains, crumbs, and stickiness won’t be around long.

If you’re interested in browsing our selection of glass items, we also produce decorative glass doors, panels, partitions, sinks, and backsplashes. Yes, any of these can be customized. To learn more, please call us at 416-398-9733.