By CHARLES CUMPSTON

Increasingly glass is being utilized inside residences as well as outside.

"Glass is being used in a wider variety of ways than ever before in residential applications," states Joel Berman, whose company Joel Berman Glass Studios is located in Vancouver. "Textured glass in particular is finding its way into the home in a number of unique ways including: interior and exterior doors, showers, vanity tops and doors, shelves, partitions, flooring (glass tiles), balustrades, stair treads, canopies, tables and more. Glass can function in any surface application," he explains.

Eugene Negrin, owner of Galaxy Glass & Stone in Fairfield, N.J., agrees.

"We are seeing a dramatic up tick of frameless shower enclosures with textures, colors and patterns," he states.

"There are also interior partitions with artwork, custom laminated glass staircases and floors, again with decoration. Mirrors continue to be fairly strong with an increased interest in custom-silvered antique mirror," he adds.

Tim Czechowski, co-founder and owner of Artwork in Architectural Glass, which has offices in Good Hope, Ga, and Newport Beach, Calif., also mentions the increasing use of glass floors in residences. "Glass flooring on a whole is very popular in commercial environments, and designers are using it in homes to increase daylighting- to brighten areas under stairs, decks or floors," he explains.

The Driver

What is driving this increased use of glass?

Fred Wallin, who heads up marketing for Kingsport, Tenn. based glass manufacturer AFG Industries, Inc, makes the point that consumers are looking for comfort, safety and reduced operating costs for their homes. "Glass offers a myriad of options for meeting these needs," he explains. "It doesn’t hurt that the federal and state government are doing everything possible to minimize the growth rate of energy consumption," he adds.

"Function and the demand for new design are among the primary driving forces behind the use of glass in the home," states Berman. "Moreover, design is valued higher than it has been in the past. Changing demographics are also having an influence. The Baby Boomers are aging and are transferring their wealth to the next generation. That generation has an increased appreciation for design."

In Negrin’s opinion, demand is being driven "by a combination of the design professional and our offering these professionals choices of products and continual education of available possibilities."

Berman echoes this, counseling designers to "Use your imagination. Anything is possible," he states.

Negrin advises, "Deal with a qualified glass professional who has a proven track record of consistently and successfully producing and supplying specialty decorative glass would be in the manufacture of "antique" hand-silvered mirror. According to Negrin, "The mirror may be what the design professional wants; however, if it is not supplied with an adhesive that is compatible with the more sensitive paint on the back of the mirror than machine-produced mirrors, there could be possible damage to the silver with "spots" bleeding through the mirror which would require placement of the order."

Wallin offers this advice. "AIA offers a variety of glass courses for credit which will provide the design professional with a good understanding of how to use fenestration products to the best advantage of their design creativeness and their client’s pocketbook. The Web site of AFG along with our primary glass competitors can also be helpful in understanding the products (aesthetics and performance) available," he states.

It all adds up to increased use of glass in the home and satisfied consumers.