Numerous Decorative Glass Products Displayed at 2009 AIA Expo

From color, to patterns, textures and even a combination of all three, those attending the American Institute of Architects Annual Convention, which took place April 30-May 2 in San Francisco, found plenty of new decorative glass products. Exhibitors offered their latest developments that included products for a variety of applications, from floors and stairs to countertops and walls.Digitally printed glass products were among some of the newest developments at the show. NGI Designer Glass showcased its brand new booth constructed to feature its brand new product: SubliStyle, which involves the reproduction of digital, high-definition photography and artwork onto glass. It was co-developed with VanDijken Glas out of Amsterdam and together they are partnering with Peter Sterling, a photographer, also out of Amsterdam, who has contracts with many worldwide museums to photograph a number of paintings, including as Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss.

General Glass International was promoting its new direct-to-glass digitally printing capabilities. Brand-named Alice, Richard Balik, vice president of sales, said they had seen a lot of interest in the product.

“Architects are excited about all of the applications in which this can be used,” Balik said. “The process involves ink-jet printing a permanent ceramic frit image onto glass, which will not fade. It’s also possible to print large formats onto glass.”

Oldcastle Glass® also introduced its digital printed glass, i-GlassTM. The process also involves printing the images directly onto glass. The company says it can even replicate the look of wood or marble.

Acid-etched products were also well represented during the show. For Walker Glass its patterned acid-etched glass and mirrors were a key focus. The company, which began as a mirror producer, has expanded to offer acid-etched clear glass and mirror.

Likewise, Guardian Industries introduced SunGuard SatinDeco glass, which combines the energy-saving properties of SunGuard architectural glass with the acid-etched quality and aesthetics of SatinDeco.

“Architects and designers have been interested in SatinDeco because it does not diminish the light transmitted but rather diffuses or softens it,” said Chris Dolan, director, commercial glass program, for Guardian Industries. “This allows higher light transmission without glare in interior space. Architects also like the flexibility to use SatinDeco in vision or spandrel applications in combination with SunGuard coatings.”

Cardinal Shower Enclosures/Hoskin & Muir Inc., which does its own fabrication, including cast glass production, has expanded its operations beyond just shower doors. The company now offers a variety of decorative products, such as countertops and room dividers. Mikel Kinser, vice president, says that because they fabricate all of their glass it allows them a way to have complete control over the quality of their products.

Likewise, Goldray displayed an array of decorative options, from printed glass for walls and partitions; products for floors and stairs; and even its new marker boards, which Cathie Saroka, marketing director, said got tremendous feedback from attendees.

Other companies, including Meltdown Glass and Gordon Huether Studios brought more of an artistic approach to their architectural decorative glasswork.