It's hard to believe that in just over a week we will be saying good-bye to 2006 and hello to 2007. It seems like the older I get the quicker each year goes by. I've been thinking a lot about all that's happened over the past year in our industry, and the changes many of us have probably made in response--whether individually or for our businesses.
Think about this: A major trend right now in the architectural glass industry is the use of decorative glass. Colors, curves, swirls, patterns ... the list goes on. Architects are wanting to do more and more with such products, but despite its popularity, it's still a relatively new market for North America. Responding to this growth and demand the Glass Association of North America created a decorative division, which is off to a strong start. ICD's Kris Vockler, the division's interim chair, is also one of our weekly bloggers, bringing a lot of insight and ideas to the forefront to help increase the industry's knowledge and awareness of decorative glass.
Speaking of our blogs, Max Perilstein with his From the Fabricator page, has continued to speak out for the commercial glazing industry when it comes to many industry topics and issues. Likewise, our blog from Paul Bieber is there, offering real-life experiences that really make you think. After reading his page you may find yourself thinking "What would I do about that?" or "How would this affect me?" The more we think about our actions--not just personally but also professionally--and the consequences thereof can really help set us/our businesses apart both for the better or worse.
As you think and plan for the next year you can be certain that change will happen--people will come and go, products will be developed, codes will change, companies will grow, stay the same or fade away. Change is good. If nothing changed it would always be the same and your business would stay in the same place, not going forward, not going backwards. Embrace the changes that will happen next year and find ways from which your business can benefit.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Glass in the Kitchen
Happy Friday! Another week has come and gone bringing us one day closer to the weekend and one day closer to the end of 2006 (can you believe it?)
This week I'm still on my residential glass kick, but I've been thinking a lot more about the kitchen and all the places where glass could be used. I was reading on the website of the the National Home Builders Association a story that talked about kitchen trends and one that was mentioned was more natural light--daylighting. Kitchens are getting bigger and bigger and finding ways to bring more light in is a major trend right now. Think about this: what if there were a skylight in the kitchen, large windows and clear glass cabinets? That could make for a lot of light coming in to a room that in the past may have been somewhat dark--Like the chocolate brown refrigerator my parents had in the 1970s and the dark wood paneling. That kitchen had but one small window and not a lot of natural light. In the house in which my parents live now, though, there is practically a wall of glass that overlooks the back yard so lots more light comes into that room. And you know, I think my parents are happier, too. Of course, that could be due more to the fact that they no longer have three kids to keep up with. Whether it's the extra light or the lack of kids, studies have proven the benefits of having more natural light in our surroundings.
The thing is, if you really stop and think about it, glass can offer so much and bring so much to any environment. It can open up a room, making a small space seem larger.
I want to hear about some of the interesting ways you've seen glass used ... anything unique, creative or innovative? Post your thoughts and let me know.
This week I'm still on my residential glass kick, but I've been thinking a lot more about the kitchen and all the places where glass could be used. I was reading on the website of the the National Home Builders Association a story that talked about kitchen trends and one that was mentioned was more natural light--daylighting. Kitchens are getting bigger and bigger and finding ways to bring more light in is a major trend right now. Think about this: what if there were a skylight in the kitchen, large windows and clear glass cabinets? That could make for a lot of light coming in to a room that in the past may have been somewhat dark--Like the chocolate brown refrigerator my parents had in the 1970s and the dark wood paneling. That kitchen had but one small window and not a lot of natural light. In the house in which my parents live now, though, there is practically a wall of glass that overlooks the back yard so lots more light comes into that room. And you know, I think my parents are happier, too. Of course, that could be due more to the fact that they no longer have three kids to keep up with. Whether it's the extra light or the lack of kids, studies have proven the benefits of having more natural light in our surroundings.
The thing is, if you really stop and think about it, glass can offer so much and bring so much to any environment. It can open up a room, making a small space seem larger.
I want to hear about some of the interesting ways you've seen glass used ... anything unique, creative or innovative? Post your thoughts and let me know.
Friday, December 8, 2006
A House Made of Glass
Today is Friday--my favorite day. This past week has been a long, busy work week and I am looking forward to the weekend (aren't we all). One of the projects I've been working on this week is an article that focuses on glazing in residential construction.--I know many will agree it's a hot topic as architects, builders and owners keep finding ways to bring more glass into the home.
We all know the bathroom is the most popular room for glass. Shower enclosures keep getting bigger and bigger with more glass and hardly any metal. Then there are mirror options, sinks and even glass towel warmers. And, as the bathroom gets bigger I am sure more possibilities will unfold to bring glass into this room.
The kitchen is probably a close second for glass options. Colorful backsplashes are hugely popular these days. There are also products to create glass countertops, cabinet doors, sinks and appliances. And let's not forget the kitchen table--lots of homeowners are opting for a glass-topped table these days, too.
Depending on the homeowner's budget there are endless possibilities for creating a house made almost entirely of glass.
I was reading one of the stories on www.usgnn.com yesterday that talked about five unexpected home trends--luxuray garages, rejuvination rooms, snoring rooms (really--the room where a spouse goes who snores too loudly. Who knew?), heated patios and caving (rooms where each spouse, for example, has his/her own personal space). Wow!
While these items may be the must-haves for those monster homes, the story also gave a few no-no's:
-Spiral staircases;
-Bamboo floors; and
-Hardwood laminate flooring.
So then I got to thinking: you know, these "don'ts" could become "dos" if they were modified to include glass. Replace the spiral staircase with a straight staircase, but one with glass treads and handrails. For the bamboo flooring--replace it with glass flooring that has a bamboo texture; same goes with the hardwood laminate--repalce it with a glass floor option, too. This really puts us on the way to creating a true glass house!
We all know the bathroom is the most popular room for glass. Shower enclosures keep getting bigger and bigger with more glass and hardly any metal. Then there are mirror options, sinks and even glass towel warmers. And, as the bathroom gets bigger I am sure more possibilities will unfold to bring glass into this room.
The kitchen is probably a close second for glass options. Colorful backsplashes are hugely popular these days. There are also products to create glass countertops, cabinet doors, sinks and appliances. And let's not forget the kitchen table--lots of homeowners are opting for a glass-topped table these days, too.
Depending on the homeowner's budget there are endless possibilities for creating a house made almost entirely of glass.
I was reading one of the stories on www.usgnn.com yesterday that talked about five unexpected home trends--luxuray garages, rejuvination rooms, snoring rooms (really--the room where a spouse goes who snores too loudly. Who knew?), heated patios and caving (rooms where each spouse, for example, has his/her own personal space). Wow!
While these items may be the must-haves for those monster homes, the story also gave a few no-no's:
-Spiral staircases;
-Bamboo floors; and
-Hardwood laminate flooring.
So then I got to thinking: you know, these "don'ts" could become "dos" if they were modified to include glass. Replace the spiral staircase with a straight staircase, but one with glass treads and handrails. For the bamboo flooring--replace it with glass flooring that has a bamboo texture; same goes with the hardwood laminate--repalce it with a glass floor option, too. This really puts us on the way to creating a true glass house!
Friday, December 1, 2006
Blog Week One: Technically Speaking ...
Welcome to my blog--Here, I will share insights with you on a weekly basis of some of what I see, think about and experience as the editor of USGlass magazine (www.usglassmag.com). So here goes ... week one, post one.
The first week back at work after a long holiday weekend is always the toughest. One of the events to kick my week into full swing was a conference call last Monday morning that ended up lasting an hour and a half. I was driving back to work that morning from my travels of the past weekend, so I had to do the call in the car on my cell phone. I had timed my drive perfectly to make sure that at 11 a.m. I would be in area where I new the cell service would be strong. And rather than drive, talk, listen and take notes from the call all at the same time, I decided it best to find a spot where I could stop and give my full attention to the call. It all worked out so well, that when I made it to the office an hour and a half later everyone was quite surprised to hear that I had been on the cell phone during the conference call as the service and reception were so crisp and clear. That's technology, I thought.
Later in the week (yesterday, to be exact) it was time to create this blog page. It seemed easy enough at first, but then I ended up with numerous problems with setting up the login and password, then the whole page went missing. After an hour or of trying to recover my long-lost, never-been-viewed-by-anyone-but-me-site, we finally recovered it. And that, too, is technology, I thought.
Which brings me to this: Technology (for better or worse) has changed and will continue to change how we work, where we work and the projects on which we work. Your job, my job and most any other job can be done pretty much anywhere thanks to cell phones, wireless computers, the Internet, etc. I'm curious about some of the ways technological innovations have changed the way you do your job in the glass industry. You can email me at egiard@glass.com to let me know.
The first week back at work after a long holiday weekend is always the toughest. One of the events to kick my week into full swing was a conference call last Monday morning that ended up lasting an hour and a half. I was driving back to work that morning from my travels of the past weekend, so I had to do the call in the car on my cell phone. I had timed my drive perfectly to make sure that at 11 a.m. I would be in area where I new the cell service would be strong. And rather than drive, talk, listen and take notes from the call all at the same time, I decided it best to find a spot where I could stop and give my full attention to the call. It all worked out so well, that when I made it to the office an hour and a half later everyone was quite surprised to hear that I had been on the cell phone during the conference call as the service and reception were so crisp and clear. That's technology, I thought.
Later in the week (yesterday, to be exact) it was time to create this blog page. It seemed easy enough at first, but then I ended up with numerous problems with setting up the login and password, then the whole page went missing. After an hour or of trying to recover my long-lost, never-been-viewed-by-anyone-but-me-site, we finally recovered it. And that, too, is technology, I thought.
Which brings me to this: Technology (for better or worse) has changed and will continue to change how we work, where we work and the projects on which we work. Your job, my job and most any other job can be done pretty much anywhere thanks to cell phones, wireless computers, the Internet, etc. I'm curious about some of the ways technological innovations have changed the way you do your job in the glass industry. You can email me at egiard@glass.com to let me know.
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