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Some pretty neat glass bridges

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Some pretty neat glass bridges

Some pretty neat glass bridges

Glass has definitely made a comeback in both interior and exterior design. When we hear the term “glass” we think of window panes and doors, but glass can be used in amazing ways inside (and outside) of buildings. Here’s a look at some interesting glass applications.

Glass bridges for the brave and not-so-brave

A well-constructed bridge is an engineering marvel, and many creative and awe-inspiring bridge designs are in use around the world today. If you don’t typically think of glass as being a good material for bridges, you’re not thinking creatively enough! An all-glass suspension bridge opened last year in China. The Haohan Qiao (Brave Men’s Bridge) is a 900-foot span between two cliffs in the Shiniuzai National Geological Park in Hunan Province. The bridge is suspended 600 feet in the air. If you love the idea of walking on glass suspended 55 stories in the air, then you should consider planning a trip to China. A second glass bridge – this one 1,200 feet long and 1,300 feet in the air (120 stories high) – is under construction in the Zhangjiajie National Forest. It’s expected to open to tourists in 2016.

If being that high up is unnerving, consider visiting the Tower Bridge in London, instead. In 2014, the Tower Bridge unveiled twin glass walkways suspended 138 feet directly above the Tower Bridge and the River Thames. Each walkway is 36 feet long and 6 feet wide. The walkways provide an excellent view of the river, and the Tower Bridge, which opens on average 2.3 times per day.

If that’s still too far off the ground, the next time you’re at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC, check out the Automatic People Mover station in the main terminal. Inside the terminal, you’ll find two glass bridges that carry pedestrians over the People Mover trains. The bridges use more than 7,000 square feet of 1-5/16ths inch-thick glass that’s lit from below.

If you’re looking for inspiration for a glass paint project, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Mike Fleming, via FreeImages.com

Low-iron glass and glass paint projects

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Low-iron glass and glass paint projects

Low-iron glass and glass paint projects

If you have ever seen a sheet of glass from the side, you probably noticed that it had a green tint. What is this green tint, where does it come from and how can it affect your glass paint project? “Clear” glass is so obviously green that it’s hard to believe it’s not deliberately tinted. (It’s not!) Understanding where the tint comes from helps to know how it can affect your glass paint project.

Low iron glass eliminates green tint

Ordinary clear glass is made primarily from sand (silica), soda ash and limestone. Some formulations use other “ingredients” to create glasses with different qualities. The silica, soda ash and limestone are heated to temperatures of more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit! At this temperature, the ingredients liquefy, and glass can be shaped or molded. As it cools to room temperature, the mixture hardens into what we think of as a solid, even though it retains its liquid characteristics.

The high temperatures at which glass is made burn off most impurities, so the mixture seems transparent when it cools. One of the impurities that doesn’t burn off is iron. Iron is often found with limestone – a key component of glass. Iron also readily binds with silica – the other key component of glass. It is this iron that gives glass its green tint. The greater the iron content in the glass, the greener the glass will be.

You may notice the obvious green tint on clear glass when you look at a thick piece of glass. The green tint becomes more noticeable on thicker sheets of glass. You may wonder how this green cast could affect your glass paint project. The truth is that the green tint can be noticeable, even after you’ve applied paint and mounted your backpainted glass.

Low-iron glass is made from low-iron silica and limestone. By eliminating the iron (or at least most of it), glass manufacturers can create a glass that doesn’t have this green tint. Low-iron glass, also known as Starphire™ glass or Ultra-White™ glass. It comes in thicknesses ranging from 1/8″ to 1/2″, and can be used in a variety of applications. If you think the “natural” tint of glass may interfere with your glass paint project, consider using “low-iron” glass instead.

For more information about painting glass with Glassprimer™ glass paint, please check out the rest of the site. To purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store.

Photo Credit: Kerem Yucel, via FreeImages.com

Glass paint and furniture projects

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If you’re thinking about using glass paint, a wall is a natural “go-to” target, especially if the wall is in a working environment, like a kitchen or bathroom. Here’s a surprise: glass paint is a highly versatile medium that can be used on a variety of surfaces and objects, like furniture!

Glass paint on a coffee table

Glass paint is specially designed to work on glass, but you can combine glass and just about any surface to create a new, fresh modern look. For example, if your wood coffee table is in good shape but the surface is looking worn or stained, consider refreshing it with a backpainted glass top.

To complete this easy project, you’ll want to work with tempered glass that’s been designed to fit the dimensions of your tabletop. Apply a coat of Glassprimer™ in the color of your choice to the surface of the glass and allow the paint to cure for about 48 hours. If the tempered glass is heavy enough, the glass should stay in place without help, but if the table is small or you’ve got pets or small children, you can then permanently attach the glass to the existing table surface with mastic. You can change the color of the backpainted glass whenever you redo the room, so you can keep your coffee table in sync with your color preferences!

Glass paint on a dining table

This same trick will work with an old dining room table. If you have a wooden table that has a good, solid base, you can apply a glass top to it in no time! Work with a glass shop to custom-fit a sheet of glass to your table. Backpaint one side of the glass and when the paint has cured, attach it to the table. You’ll definitely want to use tempered glass for this application. Tempered glass is specially strengthened glass that resists temperature changes and impacts. Glass tabletops are easy to clean and sanitize, and spills will never reach the carpet or floors!

Glass paint on desktops

You can refresh an old desk by outfitting it with a glass top. Since impacts and heat aren’t usually a concern around desks, you can actually use a sheet of regular glass. (You might want to spring for a thicker sheet, though!) Glass makes an ideal work surface, and will complement any décor. Apply glass paint to the back of the glass, either as a solid color or using decorative stencils, allow the paint to cure and turn the glass over to cover the desk surface.