If you ever need a conversation starter, especially with someone who does not live in the same region as you, the weather is often a safe bet. Extreme periods of snow, rain, drought, unusually high and/or low temperatures can also help the conversation going.
Lately, though, instead of the weather I've found myself starting conversations with another hot topic--gas prices. "So, what's the price of gas around where you are?" I'll say. Right now I'm excited over our area's $2.65 a gallon price. $2.65! It wasn't that long ago the prices were $1.50!
High gas prices have affected everyone, everywhere, and have lead some to try and find ways to be a little more energy-efficient, whether through carpooling, walking/biking or trying hybrid vehicles
Glass shops are affected, too. They have deliveries/installations to me and are often driving for long periods of time. I've heard from several that one way they are trying offset these high costs is by having one installer/truck handle jobs in the same area rather than driving all over town for different jobs. They say global positioning systems (GPS) has really helped them with consolidating work--and also helps avoid going the wrong way (which can also be costly in terms of gas and time).
I have not talked to any shops that have taken to hybrid vehicles as of yet, but I suspect as they become more and more mainstream that will change.
I know that I, personally, have taken steps to become more energy efficient--when I can walk somewhere instead of drive, I do for example. I'm curious of some things other glass companies/shops have done to save on gas, too, send me an email or post a comment and let me know.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Knock on Glass
Last week I wrote about the new digital USGlass and the tremendous response it's received since it's launch. If you'd like to see for yourself what it's all about you can click here to see it: http://www.usglass-digital.com/usglass/200709/
And in other news this week ... laminated glass. We all now it's a hot product these days, and with the codes demanding in more and more areas, I'm sure we can expect to see more in the future.
I spoke with a few window manufacturers recently who talked about how not too long ago they chose to start making their own laminated glass. It's nothing out of the ordinary for a window manufacturer to make it's own IG; that's been happening for good, long while. But laminated glass? Could it be a new trend for the fenestration industry? We'll have to wait and see.
Whether it comes from a glass company or a window company, laminated glass is an interesting product, I think. We always think about being mainly for hurricanes ... and sure, we in the industry know that it has been other benefits, but hurricane-resistance often comes to mind first.
I told someone once that laminated glass could even be used in sound control applications. Astonished, he didn't quite get what I was saying. So I used the airport example ... jet engines ... loud noise ... lots of glass in the terminal. Yet you don't ever really hear the sounds of the planes ... amazed, he was.
Greg Carney with GANA once told me you could knock on the glass and tell whether it was laminated. That was almost 4 years ago and I'm still knocking on glass whenever I can.
And in other news this week ... laminated glass. We all now it's a hot product these days, and with the codes demanding in more and more areas, I'm sure we can expect to see more in the future.
I spoke with a few window manufacturers recently who talked about how not too long ago they chose to start making their own laminated glass. It's nothing out of the ordinary for a window manufacturer to make it's own IG; that's been happening for good, long while. But laminated glass? Could it be a new trend for the fenestration industry? We'll have to wait and see.
Whether it comes from a glass company or a window company, laminated glass is an interesting product, I think. We always think about being mainly for hurricanes ... and sure, we in the industry know that it has been other benefits, but hurricane-resistance often comes to mind first.
I told someone once that laminated glass could even be used in sound control applications. Astonished, he didn't quite get what I was saying. So I used the airport example ... jet engines ... loud noise ... lots of glass in the terminal. Yet you don't ever really hear the sounds of the planes ... amazed, he was.
Greg Carney with GANA once told me you could knock on the glass and tell whether it was laminated. That was almost 4 years ago and I'm still knocking on glass whenever I can.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Last week, as you probably know, was a big week week for the glass industry. It began with the big trade show in Atlanta and wrapped with GANA's Fall Conference. Thousands of people from across North America and even a good number from other countries around the world traveled there to see what was new in the industry.
Key Communications, publisher of USGlass magazine, launched a digital version of the magazine, as well as Door & Window Manufacturer magazine. This means subscribers won't have to wait for the issues to arrive in the mail as they will arrive right in their email in-box when the issue goes to press. It's a great way for the international glass market to keep up with the industry, too, since there's no country-to-country shipping involved. The industry, as we all know, is becoming an increasingly global place to do business.
The GANA Fall Conference saw a good bit of work and progress, too. The group's newest division, the decorative, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary, is quickly growing in terms of membership and participation. During last Friday's meeting participants were literally jumping out of their seats to get involved. Headed by Kris Vockler with ICD and another USGNN blogger, the group is off to a great start and making lots of progress. Be sure and check out the November issue of USGlass, which will include a full recap of the Fall Conference.
Key Communications, publisher of USGlass magazine, launched a digital version of the magazine, as well as Door & Window Manufacturer magazine. This means subscribers won't have to wait for the issues to arrive in the mail as they will arrive right in their email in-box when the issue goes to press. It's a great way for the international glass market to keep up with the industry, too, since there's no country-to-country shipping involved. The industry, as we all know, is becoming an increasingly global place to do business.
The GANA Fall Conference saw a good bit of work and progress, too. The group's newest division, the decorative, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary, is quickly growing in terms of membership and participation. During last Friday's meeting participants were literally jumping out of their seats to get involved. Headed by Kris Vockler with ICD and another USGNN blogger, the group is off to a great start and making lots of progress. Be sure and check out the November issue of USGlass, which will include a full recap of the Fall Conference.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Limo Tint?
All of us in the glass industry know how energy-efficient our products can be, right? There's tons of glazing options, from the reflective coatings to warm-edge technology. So how come there are still places--high-temperature locations--that have not grasped this concept?
A few years ago I was in San Francisco for an industry conference. It was during one of those rolling black-out summers, and everyone everywhere was concerned about the energy crisis. So while there for the conference I was in my hotel room and I did the one thing we all do in hotel rooms--I checked the glass in the window. And lo and behold! What did I see? A single-glazed window. I could not believe it.
I had a similar experience while vacationing a couple of weeks ago. I was in Hawaii and while having dinner one night, I saw all the windows there were also single-glazed. We asked the manager about it, and he responded that the windows had a tint on them that "reflected more heat and light than limo tint." Hmmm ... Of course, this guy was the restaurant manager, not a glass shop or film shop owner, so of course he's not likely to be as aware of all the many advances in energy-efficient technologies that are available for windows.
And I guess I'm still a bit confused as to how "limo tint" is really the best fit for restaurant windows. Seems to me there may be some better options here. I'd be curious as to what you think about the matter. Send me an email with your thoughts.
A few years ago I was in San Francisco for an industry conference. It was during one of those rolling black-out summers, and everyone everywhere was concerned about the energy crisis. So while there for the conference I was in my hotel room and I did the one thing we all do in hotel rooms--I checked the glass in the window. And lo and behold! What did I see? A single-glazed window. I could not believe it.
I had a similar experience while vacationing a couple of weeks ago. I was in Hawaii and while having dinner one night, I saw all the windows there were also single-glazed. We asked the manager about it, and he responded that the windows had a tint on them that "reflected more heat and light than limo tint." Hmmm ... Of course, this guy was the restaurant manager, not a glass shop or film shop owner, so of course he's not likely to be as aware of all the many advances in energy-efficient technologies that are available for windows.
And I guess I'm still a bit confused as to how "limo tint" is really the best fit for restaurant windows. Seems to me there may be some better options here. I'd be curious as to what you think about the matter. Send me an email with your thoughts.
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