The History Behind Santa Fe Glass

Santa Fe Glass was originally established in the early 1920s selling paint and glass. Carl Westerberg began his career and got his union initiation May 20, 1931 in Local 930 of Denver, Colorado Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators & Paperhangers of America. After working in the trade for 8 years, he and a partner Charles Adams decided to buy Santa Fe Glass from Luster Waggoner. On a cold December 30, 1939 morning in Evergreen, Colorado, Mr. Adams and Carl Westerberg agreed to purchase Santa Fe Glass from Mr. Waggoner for the total sum of $3,335.05 and upon placing a deposit of $60.00, they began their adventure of business ownership.

After 5 years in business together, Charles Adams decided to sell his shares of Santa Fe Glass to Carl Westerberg for a total of $2,000. On July 27, 1945, Carl Westerberg began his run at sole ownership and operation of Santa Fe Glass. The company, from its inception, was located at 262 S. Santa Fe Drive. This building made several changes and grew to fit the operation. Gary Westerberg, Carl’s son, began his career working for his father at the family business as a young man. Gary then officially started in the glass business at Harding Glass in Kansas City MO. Gary came to work full-time with his father at Santa Fe Glass in 1964.

Carl and Gary worked together operating the commercial and residential glass business until Carl’s failing health and subsequent death in 1975. Gary then took over as owner and ran the business. Through the years, Gary’s children worked in the family business, providing commercial and residential glass services, including custom glass, glass replacement, glass installation, and much more. Santa Fe Glass sponsored youth baseball in the Columbine area and even had a couple championship youth teams. In 1990, Gary’s oldest son Chris was tragically killed working on a ranch while enrolled in the Veterinary School at Colorado State University. In the next couple years with the recent family tragedy and mounting financial pressures, Gary made the decision to close Santa Fe Glass. Gary closed the doors in July 1993 after ensuring that all debts were paid and the company was left with a good name.

Craig started his career in public safety and Clint stayed in the glass business. After 14 years of Santa Fe Glass being closed, while on a trip to Ft. Collins to present the endowed Christopher Nels Westerberg Memorial Scholarship at Colorado State University, Craig and Clint made the decision to look into the possibility of re-opening Santa Fe Glass. Then in July of 2006, Craig and Clint Westerberg re-opened Santa Fe Glass with the same phone number that was established in the 1940s before the advent of 7 digit telephone dialing. (Spruce-4491) Now we can be reached at 303-777-4491. Our office, which is now our commercial and residential glass showroom, is located at an updated newer, larger facility just a few miles south of the old facility and a block off of Santa Fe on Quincy at 1920 W. Quincy Ave.

Low-E Windows at Santa Fe Glass

Here at Santa Fe Glass, we’re proud to provide the best glass installation to our Denver area customers. One of the services we provide for commercial projects is the installation, repair and replacement of storefront windows.

From emergency repair services to providing our customers with storefront glass window hardware, we’re got our finger on the pulse when it comes to covering everything needed when installing commercial storefront glass. That’s why we go the extra mile when determining what will be at the forefront of your business by using only the best materials, like low-e glass. 

Low-e glass is a special type of glass that reflects outside temperatures back to its source. Short for low-emissivity, low-e glass is covered with a very fine layer of metallic coating. This type of glass used in windows is the perfect way to better monitor the amount of hot or cold air that is entering your home or business. It reduces 30-50% of energy loss from the inside, saving you money and regulating the temperature.

For storefront windows, low-e glass can be incredibly beneficial for businesses, and they greatly cut down on heating and cooling expenses. There are a number of varieties of low-e glass windows available on the market. Taking climate and location into account, we’re able to choose the best one for your storefront your business. 

Call us today at (303) 777-4491 to learn more about our storefront glass window replacement services and why low-e glass windows are an exceptional choice for commercial use. 

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. 

 

Custom Glass Tabletops

Here at Santa Fe Glass, we provide not only the best in commercial glass installation and repair, but also custom glass projects. That includes custom glass table tops.

Whether it’s for the living room, kitchen, or conference-style table for the office, there are countless possibilities to designing the custom glass table of your dreams. 

When choosing what you want your custom glass table to encompass, think of the size and shape you want. Look at the desired space you want to use and determine if you want an oval, rectangle, square… or even a unique, one of a kind design. 

While glass is typically clear and see through, there are many options to consider when it comes to the design of the glass itself.  ‘Decorated’ glass has etching, sandblasting, cutting or engraving, to give the glass a one-of-a-kind look. Add a splash of color with a tint, or create a sturdier look by using a deeper color throughout the glass. Keep in mind that the base of the table can even help influence what the color of the glass itself looks like. 

Now that you’ve got the design and size figured out, it’s time for arguably the most important decision of the design process…. What type of glass to use? 

A lot of people don’t realize that in building furniture that involves glass, there is more than one type of product to choose from. Unlike glass vases or decorative pieces, glass used for furniture can be made differently to accommodate the dangers and wear and tear of every day living. 

Tempered glass is a popular option in glass furniture. It’s available as clear, frosted, patterned… any way the consumer may want. It’s referred to often as ‘safety glass’, because it’s less likely to break than regular glass. This is thanks to rapid heating and cooling processes the glass endures throughout its production, making it four to five times stronger than a typical glass product. In the rare occasion that tempered glass does break, it breaks into small circular pieces, not dangerous shards.  

Another type of glass that is popular in furniture use is ‘film-backed’ glass. This product has a flexible plastic sheet applied to the back of the glass. This film holds the glass together if it’s broken, avoiding a messy and potentially dangerous clean-up job. 

If you have ideas that you want to get off the paper and into your home or business, give us a call. We can’t wait to get started.