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.
Friday, September 21, 2007
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.
Friday, August 10, 2007
A few years ago I wrote an article for USGlass in which I told about my parents' house. Years ago when they bought it I never really thought about glass--all its windows and doors. There are tall casement and fixed windows all around the house, and a glass back door that opens from the kitchen to the porch. When I was a kid I convinced myself it was "bullet-proof glass." After all, I told myself, we'd need it in case anyone ever tried to break in or rob us at gun point. (I guess you could say I had an over-active imagination.)
Of course, the glass is not "bullet-proof" nor is it "bullet-resistant." It's IG.
My folks also have two tables with glass tops and every time I see them I think about two things:
1) There's no standard out there for such glass; and
2) Whether or not the glass came from China.
I've examined the glass and have seen no markings to tell me anything about from where it came. So who knows. For me it's interesting how all the things that have always just been there--like those tables--now make me think about my work.
As far as the windows, they make me think about work, too. A few years ago the IG in a few of the windows fell victim to edge-seal failure (and I do know the manufacturer of that glass but won't say who). Some have been re-glazed, but there's still a few yet to be done.
If you're like me you just can't go anywhere without thinking about the glass. We know what the others don't--there's just so much more to it than just glass.
Of course, the glass is not "bullet-proof" nor is it "bullet-resistant." It's IG.
My folks also have two tables with glass tops and every time I see them I think about two things:
1) There's no standard out there for such glass; and
2) Whether or not the glass came from China.
I've examined the glass and have seen no markings to tell me anything about from where it came. So who knows. For me it's interesting how all the things that have always just been there--like those tables--now make me think about my work.
As far as the windows, they make me think about work, too. A few years ago the IG in a few of the windows fell victim to edge-seal failure (and I do know the manufacturer of that glass but won't say who). Some have been re-glazed, but there's still a few yet to be done.
If you're like me you just can't go anywhere without thinking about the glass. We know what the others don't--there's just so much more to it than just glass.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Right Before Your Eyes
A lot has happened this week in the glass industry, and, as always, USGNN.com brought you a lot of that news. All you have to do is turn on your computer, a couple of clicks and presto! You're there. The industry is at your fingertips.
There's no doubt that the world as we know it is moving closer and closer to a paperless way of life. Does that mean magazines, newspapers and books will one day become obsolete? I doubt it. I find a certain comfort in picking up the book or magazine I want to read, holding it and reading it, page by page (not click by click).
There's a certain intimacy I think you can find in reading a book that you're just not going to get from reading a computer screen. It's hard to imagine curling up in front of a fire on dreary, rainy day, glass of wine and a laptop. Swap out the laptop for your favorite reading material (USGlass, perhaps) and it's a different picture.
The glass industry has been slower than some other industries to embrace online technology, but we're moving in that direction. More companies are offering online catalogs, shopping and purchasing; more are launching websites where they can also offer online customer service. Some might not like it, but we're changing--we can't afford not to.
As you move more and more into the online, computer-powered world, take a moment to think about how easy so many things are nowadays--it's all right at your fingertips--even USGlass www.usglassmag.com).
There's no doubt that the world as we know it is moving closer and closer to a paperless way of life. Does that mean magazines, newspapers and books will one day become obsolete? I doubt it. I find a certain comfort in picking up the book or magazine I want to read, holding it and reading it, page by page (not click by click).
There's a certain intimacy I think you can find in reading a book that you're just not going to get from reading a computer screen. It's hard to imagine curling up in front of a fire on dreary, rainy day, glass of wine and a laptop. Swap out the laptop for your favorite reading material (USGlass, perhaps) and it's a different picture.
The glass industry has been slower than some other industries to embrace online technology, but we're moving in that direction. More companies are offering online catalogs, shopping and purchasing; more are launching websites where they can also offer online customer service. Some might not like it, but we're changing--we can't afford not to.
As you move more and more into the online, computer-powered world, take a moment to think about how easy so many things are nowadays--it's all right at your fingertips--even USGlass www.usglassmag.com).
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Joys of Travel
Last week I traveled to Denver to attend and cover the NFRC's summer meeting. While the event resulted in many lively discussions, I'm not going to write about them here, you'll have to visit the www.usgnn.com or the USGlassmag.com "Only Here" page to read the scoop.
Instead I'd like to briefly stray from life in the glass industry, though still about something many of us deal with more often than not. I'm talking about the joys of traveling. I know plenty of you out there probably feel as though you spend more time than you'd like going from airplane to airplane, city to city.
I had a bit of airline drama myself last week traveling home from Denver. My flight departing was right on schedule an even landed in Atlanta early. So I headed from terminal A to terminal C where my flight was scheduled to take me home, departing at 9:55 p.m. I walked to the gate, only to learn there hadbeen a gate change. No worries, that happens all the time. I grabbed a quick bite, made a couple of phone calls and then headed to the new gate only to see, that once again there had been a gate change. Nice. So, once again I headed over to a new gate, only to see we were to be delayed by about 20 minutes, now departing at 10:15. p.m. OK, I said to myself, I can handle 20 minutes.
So I sat down to read a book. As the time approached 10:15 no announcements had been made about the flight ... 10:15 came and went and we finally got an announcement that we had a plane, which was undergoing some maintenance and, by the way, there's been a gate change. This is just getting crazy. So I grabbed my stuff, headed down to the new gate and by now it's pushing 11 p.m. At the new gate we learn we should depart by 12:05 a.m., as we're awaiting an in-bound aircraft ... you can imagine how I'm feeling by now. So I sit, I wait, I read, I make a phone call. Finally the plane arrives, people deplane, the crew prepares for the next flight and finally by midnight or so, we're in the air.
We landed a little before 1:30 a.m., all you need to know now is that I had an hour and 20 minute drive home, which put me getting to bed at around 4 a.m. Got to love travel.
I know this was a departure from what I usually write, but I knew so many of you could relate. I'd love to hear some of your travel stories, so shoot me an email or post a reply here.
Instead I'd like to briefly stray from life in the glass industry, though still about something many of us deal with more often than not. I'm talking about the joys of traveling. I know plenty of you out there probably feel as though you spend more time than you'd like going from airplane to airplane, city to city.
I had a bit of airline drama myself last week traveling home from Denver. My flight departing was right on schedule an even landed in Atlanta early. So I headed from terminal A to terminal C where my flight was scheduled to take me home, departing at 9:55 p.m. I walked to the gate, only to learn there hadbeen a gate change. No worries, that happens all the time. I grabbed a quick bite, made a couple of phone calls and then headed to the new gate only to see, that once again there had been a gate change. Nice. So, once again I headed over to a new gate, only to see we were to be delayed by about 20 minutes, now departing at 10:15. p.m. OK, I said to myself, I can handle 20 minutes.
So I sat down to read a book. As the time approached 10:15 no announcements had been made about the flight ... 10:15 came and went and we finally got an announcement that we had a plane, which was undergoing some maintenance and, by the way, there's been a gate change. This is just getting crazy. So I grabbed my stuff, headed down to the new gate and by now it's pushing 11 p.m. At the new gate we learn we should depart by 12:05 a.m., as we're awaiting an in-bound aircraft ... you can imagine how I'm feeling by now. So I sit, I wait, I read, I make a phone call. Finally the plane arrives, people deplane, the crew prepares for the next flight and finally by midnight or so, we're in the air.
We landed a little before 1:30 a.m., all you need to know now is that I had an hour and 20 minute drive home, which put me getting to bed at around 4 a.m. Got to love travel.
I know this was a departure from what I usually write, but I knew so many of you could relate. I'd love to hear some of your travel stories, so shoot me an email or post a reply here.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Outdoor Living
Everyone envisions something when thinking of their dream home, right? For me it's an outdoor kitchen, which I got hooked on from watching HGTV. It doesn't have to be one of those top-dollar, high-end, everything's-at-your-fingertips outdoor kitchen, just something simple ... a fun place for entertaining.
Indoor-outdoor living is just one trend in home designs and homebuiling. Homeowners and builders are finding ways to maximize on outdoor space to make it part of the entire living area. What better product to help do that than glass?
One product that is fast-growing in popularity is the opening wall. When closed it seems just like a fixed wall system, but when it's open the entire room becomes part of the outside. And for those with bug or insect concerns, screen systems are also available that work with the walls.
I wouldn't mind building one of these walls into my dream home either ... it could open to my outside kitchen ...but because the walls tend to fall into a higher price category than a traditional French door, for example, you've got to really want it. The best locations are those where there's a killer view--the ocean or snow-capped mountains. That's the other thing--most people tend to think of these products as being only suitable for warm-weather environments. Thanks to efficient glazing and framing technologies they can also be used in cold climates.
The building of my dream house is a ways off. In the meantime I can dream. I will make a list of all the things I would like for it to have, and while there will be some features I will sacrifice, I am sure I will find a few interesting ways to use glass.
Indoor-outdoor living is just one trend in home designs and homebuiling. Homeowners and builders are finding ways to maximize on outdoor space to make it part of the entire living area. What better product to help do that than glass?
One product that is fast-growing in popularity is the opening wall. When closed it seems just like a fixed wall system, but when it's open the entire room becomes part of the outside. And for those with bug or insect concerns, screen systems are also available that work with the walls.
I wouldn't mind building one of these walls into my dream home either ... it could open to my outside kitchen ...but because the walls tend to fall into a higher price category than a traditional French door, for example, you've got to really want it. The best locations are those where there's a killer view--the ocean or snow-capped mountains. That's the other thing--most people tend to think of these products as being only suitable for warm-weather environments. Thanks to efficient glazing and framing technologies they can also be used in cold climates.
The building of my dream house is a ways off. In the meantime I can dream. I will make a list of all the things I would like for it to have, and while there will be some features I will sacrifice, I am sure I will find a few interesting ways to use glass.
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