How to Child-Proof Sliding Glass Doors

Bring a newborn baby home is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking events in a new parents’ life. That’s why it’s important to make sure everything in your home is completely childproof, especially any entrances to your home.

You might be familiar with how to baby-proof a door, but when it comes to sliding glass doors, it’s a whole different ball game. The locks on sliding glass doors are low to the ground and easily accessible by children, even ones who can only crawl. Not only does this issue need to be addressed, but children often don’t notice glass doors until they’re up close and personal with a big bruise on their foreheads. 

While we can’t give a ton of baby advice, we DO have some baby-proofing tips that will put your mind at ease when it comes to your baby and your sliding glass doors in particular. 

The first step in baby-proofing your door is to go out and purchase a sliding glass door lock at any home improvement store. Make sure you pick one up that’s specifically for children; they’re designed so that small kids can’t reach the locks. 

Installing the new lock isn’t tough at all. Slide the glass door open and place the latch on the door frame, centering it between the original lock and the door’s top frame. By doing this you’ll be placing the lock approximately five feet off the floor, and far away from little hands. Holding the latch in place (or have a friend help), drill holes into the frame that match the location of the holes in the latch. 

Place screws in those holes and shut the door. Remove the cover of the door lock and set the lock on the latch, closing the lock. Find the holes on the lock for screws and drill one of them into the sliding glass door. This will secure the lock while you place the rest of the screws in their rightful place. Once all the screws are placed into the lock, replace the lock cover. 

Now there’s no way your child can open your sliding glass door. However, not knowing what a glass door is, they can still run into it. Put some fun stickers and window decals towards the bottom of the glass door, about eye level with a toddler. Use brightly colored stickers or fun characters that will not only stop a baby from running into a clear door, but will also provide some easy entertainment. It’s a win-win!

While your newborn won’t be running around and opening doors for a while, it’s never too early to take precaution. Then, once they’re on their feet and unstoppable, you’ll feel at ease… at least when it comes to the doors in your home!

Double Pane Vs. Triple Pane Windows

Stabilizing the temperature in your home can depend greatly on how efficiently your windows are working. If you’re blasting the heat in the winter and the house is still cold, or the opposite in the summer, your windows may be letting out the air that you’re trying to cool or heat your home with. If you think it’s time for new windows, consider the fact that there are single pane, double pane, and triple pane to choose from.

Since single pane windows don’t protect as well from outside sounds, heat or cold, we prefer the choices of double and triple paned windows. Right off the bat, you’d think that triple pane windows are better than double pane, right? Well, sometimes that’s the case, sometimes it isn’t. Both types of windows have their pros and cons, and these factors can help you make your decision on which type is best for your home.

Triple pane glass

First, it’s important to distinguish the difference between double and triple paned windows so you can better decided which type you want. Both types of windows use a gas that is sandwiched between the panes, the only difference being that the triple pane window has an extra layer of glass and gas on the inside. The purpose of the gas is to temper the transfer of warm or cold air through the window, gradually helping to heat or cool your home or business. 

As we stated above, there are pros and cons to both double and triple paned windows. Double paned windows are lightweight, efficient enough to be sufficient for most homes, and are priced fairly moderately. However, if you live in an area that gets incredibly hot in the summer and snows in the winter, they may not be enough to keep your house or office’s temperature comfortable. 

Double pane glass

This may be an instance where you’d want to consider triple paned windows. Triple paned glass is incredibly efficient, providing better insulation a better sound barrier than other types of glass. Just like double paned glass, these windows also have a downside. Triple pane windows cost considerably more than other types of windows. They’re also heavier, making them harder to install and open when you want some fresh air. 

While both are better for your home than simple single pane glass, double and triple pane windows are very similar. When making your decision, consider the area in which you live and if you think an investment in heavy duty windows is worth it. 

Most of the time, double paned windows will work just fine, so don’t lose sleep over this decision. Whether they’re double or triple paned, you’ll be hands down happier once your new windows are installed!

Domed Skylights

Do you ever feel like turning on your lights during the day is a waste of electricity? Want to find an alternative that could save you money, while keeping your home or business well-lit during the day? Instead of relying on lamps for light during day time hours, save money and electricity by installing a domed skylight in your ceiling.

Unlike a traditional skylight that you’re probably used to seeing, a domed skylight features a (you guessed it) domed glass that provides a unique look. People are so used to seeing flat skylights, so why not make your ceiling a talking point by standing out. As well as standing out visually, a domed skylight can provide a few advantages that a flat skylight doesn’t.

One advantage to installing a domed skylight rather than a flat one is that they actually tend to function better than traditional ones. When it rains, water normally sits on the flat surface of a skylight, which not only blocks light, but can create dirt and dust on the glass itself. A domed skylight, however, is shaped so that any water will run off the surface and onto the roof, where it runs into the gutters and can’t be seen. Essentially you’re having Mother Nature clean your windows for you!

Also, many people don’t know that domed skylights are actually easier to replace that flat ones. This can benefit a homeowner or business owner in case your skylight gets damaged, or if you simply want to switch it out for a different one, maybe with a pattern or tint.

Speaking of patteners, domed skylights can be incredibly beautiful when embellished, and it's shape provides for more opportunity in regards to decoration and etching. There are an endless array of designs and patterns are available for you choosing, even custom ones that will add an even more special touch to your home.

If you’re thinking of making an interesting change in your home, consider a domed skylight. Lesser known than a regular skylight or other interesting window installations, a domed skylight will give your ceiling depth and act as a piece of built-in art for your home.

Keep Your Glass Clean

We have windows and glass walls installed because we like being able to see what is on the other side. It’s undeniable that few things are more beautiful that floor-to-floor windows looking out onto a cityscape or a mountain view. 

Unless, of course, those windows are covered in dirt. 

Glass windows, whether on a home, car, or office, are often exposed to a lot of filth, and after a while, it starts to build up. We’re here to give you some advice on how to keep your glass windows cleaner for longer, and with very little effort.

If there happens to be a lot of loose dirt or dust on your windows, take a portable vacuum cleaner to the glass. This will get rid of a lot of the build up instantly, and will make the job easier when you start spraying cleaning product on the windows. 

Once you’ve vacuumed up any loose dirt, it’s time to wash the glass itself. While using store bought product may seem like the easy thing to do, these solutions can contain harsh chemicals that could damage your glass. Plus, they get expensive after a while. You can make a simple and effective cleaning solution with products you already have at home. 

Create a homemade cleaning solution of 90% water and 10% vinegar. That’s all! Spray the surface of the glass lightly in, then using a clean cloth, wipe the dirty area until clean. Spray the solution in small areas at a time to avoid a mess. Once the glass is rid of dirt, rinse the windows with water and dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. 

For best results, start at the top of the glass and wipe the windows from side to side while drying them, working your way down. An up and down motion is more likely to cause streaking and leave water spots.  

Before you run off to clean every glass surface in sight, keep in mind there are a few things you should NEVER do when cleaning glass windows. Despite what you may have read in the past, you shouldn’t use abrasive scrubbing brushes, putty knives or razor blades to remove dirt. If you do, you run risk scratching and chipping the glass, and you don’t want to turn a routine cleaning job into an expensive replacement job. 

Also keep in mind the product you’re using. If you buy a cleaning product from the store, make sure the solution isn’t petroleum based or have too many chemicals, as these could damage the surface and seal of the glass.  

With a little maintenance and care for your windows, cleaning them won't take more than a couple of minutes, and they'll stay sparkling. 

 

How to Start a Custom Glass Project

Welcome to Santa-Fe Glass’s blog!! Here, you’ll be able to find stories, tips and tricks of the trade involving what we do best… everything glass. Sometimes you’ll come to us for a quick fix, other times you’ll want to do some major renovations. In honor of the New Year, we’re anticipating re-models, re-models, and more re-models. Here are some things to think about before starting any project using custom glass. 

When beginning your custom glass journey, start by deciding what exactly it is you want out of the project. You might want to rip out your shower and replace it with glass, or you might just want to fix and upgrade cracked windows or chipped glass tabletops.  

After you’ve determined what you want to replace, think money. Being realistic on your budget can avoid a lot of problems down the road, like being disappointed that you can’t afford something you want. It’ll also eliminate the dreaded issue of running out of money and not being able to finish your project. Nothing is worse than living and working in a construction zone with no end in sight. Make a list of your priorities, so if only certain things can be done at a time, it’ll be what you need most. 

Now that you have all of those practical business angles in order, it’s time to have some fun. Think about what you want your new item or space to look like. The best part about custom glass design is that the sky is pretty much the limit. Aside from the standard ‘regular’ glass most of us are used to, there are a large variety of hand-crafted glass types that can create a unique space that’s pleasing to the eye. 

Texture is more important in glasswork than one might initially think. If you decide to flip through some magazines for inspiration, you’ll discover a world of glass that you probably didn’t even know existed. Adding imperfections and designs like bubbles or lines right into the glass is a fun way to add some privacy while still allowing natural light to shine into your space. 

Take your time when planning any glass-related project for your home or work. Rushing into something you’ll most likely be looking at every day isn’t the smartest move. Make sure you’re happy with your decisions and that you love the custom glass you’ve picked! Getting exactly what you want will provide you and the people around you years of comfort and happiness.