How to Use Custom Stained Glass in Your Home and Workplace

We’ve discussed a number of ways to use glass around your home and workplace, but today we’re sharing an idea that stands out just a little more than usual.

Stained glass is a beautiful alternative to using regular glass. No matter where you are using it, it can add a pop of color and texture in an area that could otherwise look bland and ordinary. The popularity of custom stained glass has grown over recent years, as it’s a unique and beautiful way to add some personality to a home. 

You can use stained glass in a number of ways around your home or office, and we’re here to tell you a few of our favorites.

Shower Doors

Using stained glass in your bathroom, your shower door specifically, is a popular and relatively inexpensive way to add some personality to your bedroom. You can choose matching colors in the bathroom, or go bold and pick an accent color to make the shower area the star of the space. Not only does it create a beautiful look for any bathroom, but there are actually two ways you can use stained glass when it comes to your shower door. 

First, you can add stained glass designs to your pre-existing glass shower doors. You can do this by attaching adhesive-free window film treatments, which can be found in hobby stores or online. You can also have stained glass be a part of your shower doors from the start, having colored glass swirled into the doors as they are made. Both provide an interesting look, as well as some added privacy!

Kitchen Backsplash

When it comes to the kitchen, granite is king. Homeowners prefer granite over almost anything these days. While granite is beautiful and provides a smooth and sophisticated look to a kitchen, stained glass can also do the same, yet is often forgotten.

A custom backsplash in your kitchen offers a number of perks that products like granite don’t. First of all, it’s less expensive. The worst part about remodeling is going over budget, but you don’t have to worry about that with glass touches. A stained glass backsplash can also be designed specifically to match your kitchen, unlike granite which is just cut from rock and comes as is. 

Stained Glass Dividers

Stained glass dividers are an excellent way to add privacy to a large workspace, especially if you work in an area with lots of desks in one big room. A little bit of privacy can help boost productivity in the workplace by minimizing distractions, but a stained glass divider won’t make you feel like you’re blocked off from the world. 

Not only are glass dividers functional on their own, but adding color and texture to a workspace can improve people’s moods. We know that we’d rather be surrounded by beautiful stained glass dividers than standard, grey ones. You can even get stained glass that incorporates the same colors your business uses, tying your brand right into the office. 

Basement Windows

Basement windows aren’t something we usually think about decorating, let alone think about at all. They’re typically visible on the side of your house and towards the ground, which isn’t exactly a spot you want to be putting a lot of money into. However, a stained glass window provides a pop of color to an unexpected place, and offers a few benefits you may not have thought of.

A glass window leading into a basement can often be a red flag for prying eyes. If you use stained glass on your basement windows, it can prevent a home invasion, or at least nosy neighbors from checking our your business!

Stained windows can also provide a natural cooling system for your basement by refracting heat.

With everything stained glass can do for you, we hope you consider it the next time you have glass installed in your home or workplace.

How to Cut Glass Mirrors

Mirrors are one of the best accent pieces to have in your house because they serve multiple purposes, both in a fashionable and a functional way. Aside from their obvious use, mirrors can be a beautiful way to decorate your home. They open spaces up, make rooms appear larger than they are, and can be an eye-catching piece of artwork on your wall. 

Sometimes, using mirrors as a decoration in your home requires some elbow grease, especially if you are diving into a DIY project. We can tell you the right way (and the safe way!) to cut mirrors for whatever you want to create, from large, sit-down tables to crafts with the kids.

Start with a large, clean work area. Because of any mess that may occur, you might want to take this project on in either your garage or backyard.

Lay your mirror on a flat surface like a work bench or table.

Before you start wielding your glass cutter, mark exactly where on the mirror you want to cut. This will make your project easier once you’ve started. That way, you’re cutting down (no pun intended) on the mistakes you’ll make with your design! Use a tape measurer and a dry-erase pen, as the marker will come off the mirror easily once you’re done. 

Align a straight edge along the marks that you made with the dry erase pen. This will ensure that the cuts you make with be as straight as possible and right where you want them.

Holding the straight edge firmly in one hand, take your glass cutter and press the cutting wheel to the mirror. Apply even, steady pressure and simply cut along the lines you marked with the dry erase marker. By doing this, you’ll create a small crack in the mirror.

One the initial cuts have been made, hold the mirror over the edge of the surface it’s resting on and gently tap along the cut line with the blunt end of your glass cutter. It should separate the mirror into two pieces safely and easily. Repeat until you have all the pieces of mirror that you want to use. 

If you want to refine the edges where the glass has been cut, use some fine sandpaper and rub the edges of the glass gently, just until it’s smooth.  

That’s all, folks!

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!