5 Renovation Ideas That Use Residential Glass to Revitalize Your Home

When it comes to home renovations, residential glass is one of the most versatile ways to bring new life into your home. From exterior windows and doors to shower enclosures, glass adds visibility, provides aesthetic appeal, and increases home resale values. As examples, we have chosen these 5 renovation ideas that will revitalize any home.

1. Sidelights, Doorlights, and Transoms

The first thing every visitor to your home will see is the door they enter through. There is a wide variety of residential glass options that can make a great first impression. In addition to the possibility of installing a glass entry door, you can use glass in these ways as well, and all of them are available in many styles, tints, and sizes:

• Sidelights - Glass panels installed on either side of the door increase visibility, provide additional natural lighting, and give the front or rear of your home an exciting new look.

• Doorlights - A doorlight is a glass panel installed in a new or existing door. Doorlights can be placed in multiple locations and are available in many styles and formats, including tinted, textured, beveled, and double-paned glass.

• Transoms - A transom is a glass panel installed above the door. Transoms are available in the same styles as other glass door renovations and allow natural light to enter the home without increasing interior visibility from the outside.

2. New Windows

When you mention home glass installations, the first thing that comes to mind is the windows. There are many different types of windows, including dual-paned glass, hinged windows, and bay windows that offer expansive views of the outside world.

3. Glass Cabinet Doors

Kitchen renovations aren't complete until you have taken a good look at your cabinets. Cabinet glass fronts make it easier to see where the item you are looking for is located, as well as give the kitchen a more open and airy feel.

4. Shower and Tub Enclosures

Glass can be used in numerous ways in your bathrooms, but one of the most popular bathroom renovation ideas is to install glass tub or shower enclosures. Glass is resistant to mold and mildew, cleans up easily, and allows more light into the enclosure for a more effective bathing experience.

5. Display Cases and Shelves

Every room of the home will benefit from installing glass shelves, curio cases, and displays. Glass excels for these purposes because it allows viewing from different angles. The added benefit of a glass curio case is that items inside are protected from dust so they remain shiny and exciting.

Glass is an affordable way to revitalize every room of the home, and some glass options-- especially mirrors-- allow you to channel natural light into areas that would otherwise rely on harsh electrical lighting alone.

Should You Use Rain Repellent on Your Windshield?

Using rain repellents offer certain benefits, but cannot substitute for necessary window care and auto glass replacement.

Beginning with the release of Rain-X in 1972, windshield water repellents have become an increasingly popular glass treatment. Under normal circumstances, it does a great job of keeping your windshield free of rain, increasing visibility, and providing a new layer of safety while driving in inclement weather. It does not repair or hide chips and cracks and is not effective at eliminating auto glass replacement.

What is Windshield Water Repellent?

Auto and commercial glass replacement companies typically offer rain repellent applications for the benefit of their customers. Rain repellents work by forming a protective layer over the surface of the glass. It fills tiny holes and imperfections to reduce the friction of water droplets. This allows droplets to bead together and quickly flow off of the surface. The coating wears away over time and needs to be applied again periodically.

How Long Does Rain Repellent Last?

The type of rain repellent used will determine how often it needs to be reapplied. Rain repellents are available in liquid and gel forms, and each type will perform differently. Some repellents include a bonding formula that will even resist chipping, but that protection is limited and should not be the primary reason for using a water repellent. In general, you can expect an application to last for as long as 30 days, but that time can be much shorter or longer depending on weather conditions that require the use of your wipers.

Does Rain Repellent Work on Cracks?

Rain repellents work at the micro-level and are not effective on large imperfections, cracks, or chipped areas. Depending on the rain repellent and size of the cracks, water repellents may even cause visual effects such as blurring or brightening the cracked area. It will not seal leaks. If your windshield is cracked or damaged, your best course of action is to have the windshield replaced by an authorized auto glass replacement company.

Auto glass replacement specialists can advise you on the best type of rain repellent to use and how often it should be applied. You can also request your first application at the time of your auto glass replacement to take a proactive approach to a clearer, cleaner driving experience. 

Preparing your home for glass repair

As there many reasons a homeowner may need to have glass repaired – an errant baseball through the window, a crack in a glass shower door, or even a revealing energy audit pointing its finger at leaky doors or windows – it makes sense that it is a common home project. Nonetheless, when it comes time to undergo this process yourself, it may feel like you are not quite sure how best to prepare. The good news is that regardless of the type of glass repair you are undertaking, preparing for it is pretty straightforward and when you are done, you’ve helped to make the whole operation easier for your household and the window repair and installation professionals you’ve hired.