Back painted glass is the secret to making an ordinary room chic and stylish. It opens up many decorating possibilities because it can be applied to structural surfaces as well as movable pieces, such as tables. If your home needs modernizing or a room is due for a makeover, don’t make the mistake of leaving out colored glass. Its simplicity makes it a fantastic choice for just about any setting – from a romantic master suite to a professional reception area. Make a smart investment in glass by understanding the product and your décor options before ordering.
As the name suggests, back painted glass is simply glass that’s painted on one side. A protective coating is applied over the paint, so you have bare glass on one side, the protective backing on the other, and paint in between to give color to the glass. In order for the color to shine through clearly, low iron glass should be used because the reduced iron content minimizes the greenish discoloration that occurs around glass edges. Professionally fabricated back painted glass from ABC Glass & Mirror is made from this low iron glass, painted with special paint, and protected with the appropriate backing.
2.How can this glass be customized?
One of the best things about back painted glass is how very customizable it is! For starters, the paint color options are basically limitless. ABC Glass & Mirror offers white, gray, and black glass as standard options, but we can also special order any color you want using modern color-matching technology. So whether you want to continue a neutral palette or add a burst of color, back painted glass is available in the shade you need. There are also several options for the glass edges:
Polished – The glass edges are smoothed and polished by a machine.
Beveled – The glass edges angle down in a uniform bevel finishing in a thin polished edge.
Seamed – The edges are sanded lightly to take off sharp burrs for safe handling.
The ideal edgework for your project is determined by factors such as the desired finished look, the purpose of the glass, and industry standards. The size and shape of your back painted glass can also be tailored to your needs with regard to:
Thickness – a range of possibilities between 1/8” to 1/2” based on use, safety, and so on.
Size – small pieces to large panels depending on project needs, entry dimensions, etc.
Shape – just about any geometric or custom shape desired.
For beauty, versatility, and the ability to be tailored to your preferences, it’s hard to beat this special glass!
3.How can white glass be used to make a dry erase board?
White or light colored glass, in particular, can do double duty as a sleek wall covering or ornament and a dry erase board. Wondering why you’d want a glass whiteboard rather than a standard product? Let’s consider some FAQs.
How does a glass whiteboard compare to other options in terms of aesthetics?
A glass whiteboard is arguably your best bet for adding a marker board that actually improves the ambiance of your space. A frameless panel of white glass adds a modern touch without changing the room’s theme or distracting from other décor elements. Whether it’s in use or not, a glass whiteboard offers attractive sheen and a high end feel.
Do I need special markers for a glass whiteboard?
No! Normal dry erase markers are perfect for writing on a glass board, and they erase with no ghosting.
How should I care for a glass whiteboard?
A standard eraser is perfect for removing writing or drawing. The board can be cleaned periodically using a soft cloth that’s been dampened with water or an appropriate glass cleaner. Unlike boards that are subject to staining, a glass board wipes perfectly clean day after day.
4.Why is back painted glass so popular in kitchens?
Back painted glass can improve a kitchen in several ways. Reasons for its appeal include:
The glass does not absorb odors or stains.
It is easy to clean with a dry paper towel, damp paper towel, or razor blade, depending on how soiled it becomes.
Sanitizing back painted glass is simple and hassle free.
The wide range of color options makes finding the perfect shade for your kitchen a breeze.
With these appealing features, it’s nice that there are so many ways to add colored glass to this part of the house. For starters, this glass can be applied to the walls behind your sink and counters to form a gorgeous backsplash. Depending on the size of the kitchen, it could be one seamless piece or a few adjoining panels. You’ll love how easy it is to clean a backsplash with no grout lines! While this is the most common application, you may be able to add glass to other vertical surfaces such as the sides of an island.
This glass can also be placed atop existing horizontal kitchen surfaces to transform and beautify them. Possibilities include island tops, bar tops, and table tops. The glass is perfect for hiding a damaged surface below or just refreshing the style. Adding a glass covering is also an opportunity to introduce a popular color and thus update your kitchen.
5.What about using colored glass in a dining room?
Back painted glass can be added to a dining room in creative as well as more traditional ways. Its smooth, easy to clean surface is appealing and it instantly brightens any space!
Adding glass to an existing horizontal surface is one of the easiest ways to update a dining room:
Order a sheet of colored glass cut to fit perfectly on your existing dining table top. This is a wonderful method for giving a sturdy but dated table a fresh look.
Cover the top of a dining room mini-bar with a sheet of this glass for a sparkling, contemporary surface that won’t be damaged by spills.
Add glass to the top of a sideboard or other piece of dining room furniture for an easy update.
Back painted glass can also be applied to dining room walls:
An appealing modern accent wall option is achieved by covering one wall with panels of back painted glass. Another twist would be covering only the lower portion of the dining room walls with colored glass.
A piece of white glass does double duty as a wall ornament and a marker board (especially handy if you homeschool or have kids taking virtual classes).
Colored glass can be cut into small pieces in the shapes of your choosing. Have these adhered to the wall as part of a gallery that also includes mirrors and art.
6. How can this glass update a living room?
Covering a living room wall with glass may seem like a daring move, but you can choose any color you want, whether neutral or bold. If you order back painted glass from ABC, our team will take exact measurements of your walls and note existing fixtures such as outlets or light switches. We can add cutouts so that panels of back painted glass fit around these, which makes it easy to fully cover a wall. For a subtle transformation, you could order glass in the same color as the surrounding walls. But if you want a more dramatic change or a contrasting accent wall, the glass can be ordered in a different color altogether.
Living room tables function as places to set lamps, books, mugs of coffee, and the like. Placing sheets of back painted glass on top of your coffee table and end tables gives them a fresh vibe. As in the case of wall panels, the choice between a neutral or vibrant tone is totally up to you. With a fresh glass top in place, consider styling your coffee table rather than just letting items take up residence there at random. HGTV offers a slideshow with tips for achieving success, including:
Arrange items of varying heights so that each draws the eye.
Pick pieces that contrast with the color of the coffee table top.
Mark off a temporary grid on the table top and then choose items for the different sections.
If your coffee table also serves a functional purpose, reserve one side for décor items and leave the rest bare.
Pick items with personal meaning or splurge on one or two pieces you’re really excited about adding to your home.
Alternate seasonally relevant items throughout the year.
However you choose to style it, a table topped with back painted glass will serve as a lovely focal point.
7. My master suite needs some TLC – can back painted glass help here?
Colored glass is perfect for both the bathroom and bedroom area of a master suite. Uses in the bedroom section include:
Make a stunning faux headboard by having an oblong panel of back painted glass installed on the wall at the head of your bed.
Have glass panels installed inside your walk-in closets for a high-end touch.
Cover one wall with colored glass – this would be especially nice behind a little sitting area or pub table with stools.
Place pieces of glass atop your night stands for a sparkling surface that will complement your bedside lamp and books.
Add a glass white board where you can write your schedule, reminders, or even notes to your spouse.
A glass partition can be created to delineate separate spaces within the suite, such as bedroom and bathroom or sleeping area and TV area.
In the master bathroom, back painted glass offers still more possibilities:
Improve the shower interior by covering one or more walls with colored glass panels. (Avoid putting these where holes will be drilled or screws driven in for shower enclosure installation since this will crack the glass.)
Have a beautiful glass backsplash installed behind the sink.
Separate the commode from the rest of the room with a screen made of back painted glass.
Cover bathroom walls with this gorgeous and easy to clean glass.
8.Should my basement remodel include custom glass?
A basement is the perfect place for a home bar, and glass is the perfect tool for making the bar stylish! Back painted glass can be added to the bar itself for a sleek modern top in the color of your choice. It’s also an elegant wall covering for the area behind the bar or backsplash for the sink in a wet bar. Pair this with other custom glass for an unforgettable style:
A wall mirror behind the bar to reflect bottles and glass as well as creating a sense of depth and spaciousness.
Custom glass shelves to hold your bar tools, glasses, and spirits.
Cabinet glass to update the doors on a cabinet or hutch where you store additional ingredients and glassware.
Bob Vila offers additional ideas for creating the perfect basement bar, including:
Add a pop of color or glass wall covering behind your liquor shelves.
Include one or more TVs.
Outfit walls with a dart board and memorable wall hanging.
Include beautiful and serviceable materials like soapstone or exposed brick.
Make a statement with pendant lights.
Whatever theme or style you choose for your basement bar – cozy, futuristic, rustic, industrial – back painted glass can add to its aesthetic.
9.What is the best way to use this glass in a home office?
It’s hard to say what is the best use of back painted glass in a home office because there are so many awesome possibilities. In fact, back painted glass can be used to give an ordinary or unattractive home office a makeover with these easy steps:
Start by decluttering your home office. Store, donate, or throw away items that don’t need to be there. This gives you a fresh canvas to work with.
Give the walls a coat of paint if needed. Smudges, fingerprints, and other stains can give your office a dingy vibe.
Decide on your new color scheme. You could go monochromatic with two or three contrasting items. You could choose a trendy and happy combo like yellow and gray. Or you could opt for shades of soothing naturals like blue and green. The pieces of back painted glass you add to the room can foster your chosen palette.
Order a piece of colored glass custom cut to fit over your desk top. This provides a fresh surface that is easy to care for and updates the space.
Add a large glass whiteboard to give the walls contemporary elegance and provide you with a place to write appointments, to-do lists, and so on.
Consider covering one whole wall or even every wall with colored glass for a very professional ambiance.
Have you carved a home office out of another room? Is your office really a corner? Have a custom room divider made of back painted glass installed for privacy, fewer distractions, and a clearly delineated workspace.
10. How will colored glass improve a professional space?
Whether your business is a shop, restaurant, or office complex, back painted glass can give it the professional and easy to maintain characteristics you desire.
Installing back painted glass wall panels in your company’s logo colors enhances branding.
Sleek glass walls give an up-to-date, classy, and professional atmosphere.
The smooth surface of glass is easy to wash clean and to sanitize as needed.
Back painted glass partition walls are one of the most beautiful ways to give staff private desk areas without making the space gloomy with ugly cubicle dividers.
Covering boardroom tables, desk tops, lunch room tables, and so forth with colored glass instantly brightens your existing items.
Glass whiteboards are also useful throughout professional spaces from offices to break rooms to waiting areas.
Elevator lobbies and reception areas will look much more upscale with walls covered by colored glass panels.
11.What is the process for having back painted glass installed?
A professional glass shop such as ABC Glass & Mirror can take all the guesswork out of decorating with back painted glass. Partnering with ABC the process typically plays out in this way:
We’ll schedule a free, no-obligation consultation – one of our glaziers will visit your home or professional location.
The ABC estimator will show you samples, take measurements, record observations, and answer your questions.
Our team will work up a price quote and email it to you within 24-48 hours.
You can consider the quote in the comfort and convenience of your home.
When you place your order, the back painted glass will be precisely cut for a perfect fit, including cutouts for outlets and light switches if needed.
We’ll schedule another visit to your home or commercial site and professionally install the glass.
The beauty and functionality of your space will immediately be enhanced by the new glass.
If you’d like to learn more before scheduling a consultation, please feel free to call us at (703)257-7150 to speak with one of our on-site glass specialists. ABC is a local family business with a total commitment to your satisfaction with the finished project!
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