Glasswork Projects To Illuminate Your Home

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Glass Countertops

Glass countertops are a chic alternative to granite or stone. According to LeJeune, there are distinct benefits to upgrading your space with them:

• Heat resistant. While laminate countertops might melt under a hot pot, glass counters can withstand the heat.
• Glass countertops are not porous, so they do not soak up stains or smells. Bacteria and dirt also wipe up easily.
• Long-lasting. Glass keeps its luster and looks as good as new even after years of use.

One downside is that if something heavy is dropped on the surface, it could crack and be costly to replace.

What to know

• Countertop installation might be something you can do yourself. However, working with glass is trickier than with laminate or other types of countertops because the manufacturer needs exact measurements, and once it’s made, you can’t adjust it. So make sure to check with your manufacturer what measurements are needed, and like Mom always said, measure twice.
• When installing, the good news is that most glass tops are thick, meaning you can skip the underlayment and apply adhesive caulk directly to the top of the cabinet. (However, always check with the manufacturer for their tips on installation.)
  When adhering the countertop to the cabinet, use painter’s tape to protect the front of the cabinet from dripping caulk.

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Mirrors

A mirror adds elegance and sophistication to a room while also creating the illusion of space. In my own tiny home, I utilized this tactic by adding accent mirrors on my gallery wall, entryway, hallway and bedrooms. They are also incredibly customizable and come in varying sizes, shapes, patterns, and stains, and they can even be laminated or polished. No longer just the slightly chipped rectangle in your bathroom, mirrors belong everywhere and anywhere.

What to know

Because mirrors come in varying sizes, they all require different hanging methods. Drywall anchors or molly bolts are needed when hanging up heavier mirrors, but knowing what to use depends on the size, shape, and hanger. Luckily, framed mirrors usually come with instructions and equipment to ensure they are hung properly. Mirrors are the most DIY-friendly glass item on this list, but if you go custom-made or require a larger piece, you might need a pro to install it.

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Glass Shower Doors

According to LeJeune, more homeowners are going for sleek and modern frameless designs “or adding metal grids on the glass for a contemporary vibe.” Shower doors add transparency that makes the bathroom seem larger and, therefore, more desirable for home buyers.

This is especially true if the shower has beautiful tile work that should be shown off. Whether you are upgrading your shower from that sticky curtain to glass or building a bathroom from scratch, there are many options to customize your space.

What to know

When designing your bathroom, dig into the various types of tempered glass available. From clear glass to textured, tempered glass can be transparent, frosted, or tinted to match your decor.

But while having an enclosed shower can elevate your experience and increase the value of your home, installing tempered glass on your own can be a challenge. LeJeune says, “You can’t cut or sand it down once it’s made. “If the measurements [of the shower] are off, not only will the end result not match your vision, but you might also find yourself needing to order new glass…when it comes to customized jobs like frameless shower doors or precision-fit mirrors, it’s worth getting someone experienced.”

However, there are some basic framed shower kits that an experienced DIYer might be able to tackle. It just depends on what you want. Either way, reach out to a pro during the bathroom planning stages to help determine the type of glass, style, and shape of the enclosure so you can plan what you want to DIY and when you should hire a pro.

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Glass Backsplashes

According to LeJeune, sheet backsplashes are great for smaller spaces since they “make the smaller spaces feel larger by reflecting light through the entire kitchen.” Popular in Europe, these are beautiful options that are easy to clean. And because they’re full sheets that have been customized for your space, they lack grout joints between tiles that need to be scrubbed. So, it’s truly an easy wipe-down. What’s also exciting is the variety of textures to choose from, like carved or fire-molded, making your backsplash a truly unique piece.

What to know

The sheet of glass needs to be adhered to the drywall, and professionals have tools to lift the glass and get it in place without harming it. So, outsource this project! They’ll also be mindful of bugs or debris that might have fallen onto the wall before installation because once that glass is adhered to the wall, it’s not coming off.

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What Is Tempered Glass?

Prior to 1961, shower doors were made of annealed glass, which, when broken, shattered into sharp pieces. After the ’60s, building codes required showers to be made of tempered glass. Due to its unique heating and cooling process, this type of glass, when broken, crumbles into chunks, which causes less harm than annealed.

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Should You Go Sustainable With Recycled Glass?

Recycled glass can be used for various countertops in the kitchen, bathroom, or home office and for other glass surfaces like backsplashes, shower doors, and so much more. However, you do need to be careful when ordering recycled glass, as not every piece is truly eco-friendly. Some companies bind recycled glass with resin, cement, porcelain, petroleum or other chemicals. So, if you are looking for a truly eco-friendly glass piece, look for companies that use recycled glass frit as their bonding agent, which means that the entire glass piece is made up of 99-100% recycled glass. Also, look into where the glass is manufactured. If these pieces are being shipped internationally, the environmental impact of shipping may outweigh the benefit of using recycled glass. So, order locally as much as possible.