Here at FRAMELESS SHOWER DOORS, we specialize in one-of-a-kind contemporary and traditional classic designs, for both commercial and residential purposes. People always ask us how we are able to do such amazing work. The answer is very simple, we owe it all to glass. But how is glass made? How are we able to turn glass into works of art? Let’s take a deep look at the properties, ingredients and creation of glass!

Glass is Everywhere!

Glass is a natural substance, a super-cooled siliceous liquid, that is, a liquid that becomes solid without having the usual freezing point. Natural glass is likely to be found almost anywhere in the universe. Indeed it comes to Earth occasionally from outer space as bubbles of silica, of meteoric origin, which have been fused to form glass in the heat, which is produced by their entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Although man-made glass has had a long history, more than four thousand years, even today’s scientists do not know the precise nature of this enigmatic substance. All they can say is that it is formed by melting certain minerals and cooling them in a way which prevents crystallization, giving a super-cooled liquid that is so stiff, or of such high viscosity, that it has most of the properties of a solid.

Main Ingredients

The main ingredient of almost all glass is silica, which may be sand, quartz crystals or flint. However, because pure silica turns to molten glass only at 3100 degrees Fahrenheit, it is used exclusively to make special heat resistant glass. For most glass in common use, including that used for stained glass, a flux, usually soda ash, and a stabilizer, such as limestone, are added to the silica. The mixture is then melted at a lower temperature of about 2700 degrees Fahrenheit. Cullet, or scrap glass, is sometimes added to assist melting.

As the raw ingredients are heated, they gradually decompose, giving off gases and forming a bubbling liquid in which every particle of silica is finally dissolved. There are many ways of shaping this liquid. These include: pressing, blowing, drawing, floating, casting and rolling. The possible finals shapes are endless, much like our selection of Glass Pieces!

The Finished Product

Most stained glass is made into sheets from a blown bubble of molten glass. The bubble is either molded and split, formed into a cylinder or spun, providing the characteristic seams, bubbles and variations of thickness of stained glass. The final cooling, or annealing, is a crucial part of the manufacture of glass. As a liquid, glass tends to cool rapidly on the outside, and this creates tensions, which can easily cause the glass to shatter. Like all treatment of this brittle substance, the cooling has, therefore, to be controlled and gradual.

Glass which has been made from a pure mix of silica, soda and, limestone is transparent and colorless. Unlike such solids as wood and painted canvas, which reflect light, the molecular structure of glass allows the energy of light to pass through directly so that in a perfect sheet of glass the light rays enter and emerge at the same angle with their original brilliance unaltered. Variations in thickness however, and small flaws in the glass can deflect the rays of light and these changes, which concentrate or diffuse the light, can create a fascinating and ever-changing shimmer and iridescence. It is for this reason that stained glass is manufactured by a process, which encourages imperfections. Much like the glass railings below.



We Love Glass!

Here at FRAMELESS SHOWER DOORS, our passion for glass is representative in our enthusiasm for the scientific process behind glass making. This is directly embodied in the incredibly unique artistic designs we create. Please let us show you how we can turn your home, office, restaurant, or hotel into an extraordinary work of art.

Many people, when they think of installing one or more skylights into their property, assume that an opening unit is the only option. Others may not have a clue where to start and what choices to make. This article looks briefly at the benefits of fixed roof lights and the options available that will assist in terms of their functionality, performance and maintenance.

One of the main attractions of fixed roof lights over opening units comes in terms of the sheer amount of light they admit to a room. The other is that they are less complicated to fit, requiring less structural work to your property. This is because ventilation skylights require additional frame and metalwork to support the casement and also to allow for the mechanism to open them. Additional rafters may also need to be installed to support the casement. With a fixed unit, panes of glass can be larger and sized to accommodate the existing rafters. Bear in mind that the main regret many people have after the installation of a flat skylight is that they did not opt for a larger-sized window. There is a tendency to think that a bigger expanse of glass will cause problems in the longer term, admitting too much sunshine and overheating the room. But this is an issue that can be resolved by choosing the right kind of glazing. Ask your supplier, therefore, about options that block UV rays and so protect your home and furnishings from excessive direct sunlight. Such glazing will not only prevent sun damage to wood, leather and fabrics, but will also ensure that your room is cooler in summer.





This is an especially important consideration if flat roof lights are fixed and cannot be opened to allow ventilation. While on the subject of glazing, it is also worth exploring the options for low maintenance or self-cleaning glass. The choices are applicable to both fixed and opening units, but they are particularly advantageous for the former. The process entails adding a special treated layer to the glazing, which resists rain, dirt and other debris. It’s like the non-stick surface of a frying pan: water droplets hitting the surface spread out and run off rather than pool, and as they do so, they help wash away specks of grime and dirt. Self-cleaning glass also uses natural daylight as a catalyst for breaking down dirt on the window’s outer surface. There are various specifications available, all designed to reduce or even remove the need for cleaning. This is obviously important for hard-to-access surfaces such as roofs; but also offers benefits in terms of preserving the integrity of flat roof skylights. Glass, like most other materials, corrodes with time. But by protecting it with low maintenance or self-cleaning coatings, the skylight’s lifespan will be extended, saving you money over the longer term.

If you are confused about the options, select a firm that designs, builds and fits its own fixed roof lights. That way, you will have the benefit of their extensive expertise. They will be able to advise on the myriad of choices available to you and help you make the right decisions when installing skylights into your property.

Pool Fencing/Barrier
When building a fence around your pool, ensure that:

1. It is at least 1200 millimetres tall all the way around when measured from the outside of the pool. If a boundary fence forms part of the pool fencing, it should be at least 1800mm high.

2. The gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground should be no more than 100mm.

3. Vertical or near vertical rails on the fence and gate should be no more than 100mm apart.

4. If using perforated or mesh fencing, ensure that the holes are 13mm in diameter or smaller.

5. The fence should always be well maintained and in excellent condition.

There is also a specific requirement to create a no-climb zone. All potential handholds and footholds (trees, planter boxes, chairs, BBQ’s, large rocks etc) cannot be within 900mm of the top of the pool fence in any direction.

Pool Gate
Pool fencing laws in GLASS TABLE TOP NYC also include specific requirements for pool gates. Here’s what you should know.

1. The gate must be self-closing and can latch by itself from any position. The latch must be in good condition and work properly to ensure that the gate is secure. Once closed, you should not be able to pull it open easily.

2. The gate must open outwards and away from the pool.

3. For a frameless glass pool fence the gate latch must be located on the inside/pool side of the fence. The gap between the glass gate and anything else must not exceed 10mm which would otherwise aid little fingers to release the gate latch.

If you don’t have the space in your bathroom for a separate shower enclosure then choose the next best thing; a bath screen. A bath screen will allow you to utilise your bathing space, providing you with plenty of space for both showering AND bath time.

Before you choose your bath screen ensure that you have adequate space and select a bath screen based on your needs. To help you decide on a bath screen, have a look at our blog “Which Is The Best Bath Screen For Your Bath?”

How To: Fit A Bath Screen

• Use the wall channel profile to measure and mark out your shower screen position; use a pencil to mark the drill holes.

• Drill the holes into the pencil marks.

• Please the wall channel onto the wall and secure with screws into the spaces created.

• Insert the side pillar into the wall channel/profile.

• Adjust the bath screen until it is level with the bath.

• Once the screen is positioned correctly, mark the wall channel 100mm from the top to help show where you will need to screw the screen into.

• Drill a hole into the wall channel and side panel until it reaches the centre at the top of the shower screen. Do not drill through both sides.

• Use provided screws to fit the drilled hole at the top of the shower screen.

• Repeat this action, but now position the bottom part of the shower screen into position 100mm from the bottom and carry out the same steps to fit the bottom part of the shower screen.

• Mark the centre of the profile, equal distance from the top and bottom to complete the fit of the shower screen.

• Place cover caps to conceal the screws.

• Attach the seal to the bottom of the bath screen for a water tight seal.

We, at BKny Glass, recommended that you finish your installation with a bead of silicone on the outside of the shower screen.

Glass table tops are a perfect way to protect your furniture from nicks, scrapes and scratches. The glass can be used to top a piece of furniture or as a custom top for any table base. You can choose from a wide array of thicknesses and edge finishes to compliment any furniture style from modern to heirloom.

Benefits of a Glass Table Top
Protects furniture from scratching or water ring damage
Gives a fresh new look to older pieces without refinishing
Adds shine to any furniture top
Reduces wear and tear
Some furniture comes with glass inlays that become broken or damaged over time. We can replace or duplicate most items with the same or higher quality glass.

We also fabricate custom glass tops for dining tables and counter tops to almost any size or shape.

Recommended Glass Table Top Thickness
For protective purposes, we recommend ¼” thick glass. This provides ample protection from use without adding unnecessary stress to the furniture. There are several edge finishes to choose; ranging from simple and functional to glossy and decorative. We offer samples of all of these finishes in our showrooms.

Sometimes glass type can depend on the area and usage. Specific types are better when there are young children present or on outdoor patio tables. Let one of our experts recommend the best material for your usage and application.


Call our BKny Glass  location for a free  consultation. We have solutions to meet your very need.

Tempered glass can be used for shelves in display cases or as shelving on wall systems. Glass shelves are a great accent for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and many other places in your home or business.

TEMPERED GLASS offers custom cut tempered glass shelves, allowing you to get just the look you desire.

Maybe you have an achievement to display in the office or finally want to give your sports memorabilia a special place in your den or garage. With custom tempered glass shelves they will have the place they deserve. Our custom tempered glass shelves are durable and safe. You can expect them to stand the test of time. Give whatever room you chose to put them in, that great look of more space and beautiful depth.

We create custom shelves out of glass at whatever length, depth, and thickness you need. Most of the time these shelves have exposed edges, giving you the option of adding another level of detail to better reflect your personal style. Our seamed edge comes standard with your order. If the edge is going to show, consider a rounded (pencil) or flat edge, as preferred by many as it gives a more finished look when edges are visible.

After choosing whether or not you want a rounded or flat edge, you get to choose between a polish or grind. A polish gives a shiny and glossed finish, while a grind provides a frosted matte finish. This small detail can impact the overall effect you are wanting to create in your space.

Sometimes we get clients who have something special in mind for their edges. If you have a custom idea for your edgework, there’s a good chance that we can do that for you too. Give us a call  and we can make your dream a reality.