Summer will be here before you know it. The Texas sun is a scorcher. Not only can excess light ruin your evening in watching television, but you can lose a lot of money on energy costs with all the extra heat it brings in. Solar screens are the perfect solution to this problem, and now is the best time to get them installed! Here’s a quick FAQ:

 

 

 

 

Will they obstruct my view?

No. They are transparent. Generally, they look just a little darker than a regular screen.

Can they keep people from looking in my house?

Yes, for the most part. During the day the glare will block people from being able to see into your house. However, if you have your lights on at night, people will still be able to see in.

Are they cost effective?

Yes. Because they reduce energy costs and strain on your A/C, they will actually pay for themselves within a short period of time.

Will my plants still be able to grow?

Solar screens shouldn’t affect the growth of your plants. They’re made to block out the more harmful UV rays. However, the 80% screening option is recommended for houses with interior plants.

Hopefully this FAQ answered some of your questions regarding solar screens. Here at Armstrong’s Glass and Mirror, we offer solar screen installation alongside a host of other services. For more information, please give us a call at (817) 937-6267. We look forward to hearing from you!

The most common type of window-glass installed in homes is insulated glass, also commonly referred to as double-pane or triple-pane glass. These panes are separated by tiny gaps of air or other gases to reduce heat transfer. This is done to make the home more energy efficient. Here’s a quick overview of how insulated glass benefits you:

As was mentioned before, insulated glass makes the house more energy efficient; it does this by preserving the inside temperatures, thus saving energy costs. Heat loss through windows generally happens in four different ways:

Infiltration:

This is when air makes its way through gaps in the edges of the windows directly into your home.

Conduction:

This is when heat passes directly through the window glass itself.

Radiation:

This is when heat drifts from a warmer object towards a cooler one in close proximity until they are equal temperatures. Radiation generally causes up to %65 of heat loss in a home.

Convection:

Hot air rises and cool air sinks due to their different densities; a cold window cools the air around it (radiation), causing it to fall and drag more air towards the window. The process repeats itself, cooling the entire home; this is known as convection. It’s important to reduce airflow around windows for this reason, because it increases energy efficiency.

Insulated glass addresses all 4 of these methods of heat loss; that’s how it helps to reduce the energy bill. These savings are the reason for its prominence in most major households.

 

Here at Armstrong’s Glass and Mirror, we offer insulated glass repair alongside a host of other services. For more information, please give us a call at (817) 937-6267.

The world of glass is extensive and often times confusing. You need to be informed to decide which type of glass is right for you. Here are some basics involving the different types of specialty glass:

 

 

 

Patterned Glass:

This is a type of glass that is flat and has a surface exhibiting a regular pattern. A common way of creating this type of glass is to pass the heated glass (fresh out the furnace) between rollers with the desired pattern etched into them. Patterned glass is generally used in internal decoration and architecture. Light can get in through this glass, but transparency is obscured. 

Tinted Glass:

A glass’ tint is given to it during during the process of its creation, and so it never fades. There are many benefits to tinted glass. It minimizes heat and AC loss, saving you money on energy bills. It reduces glare. It creates privacy. It even blocks UV rays. With such a wide array of benefits, installing tinting glass in your home is always a good choice.

Toughened Glass:

This one is self explanatory; toughened glass is much harder to break than regular annealed glass. When it does break, it does so in a much more predictable manner. It is made from annealed glass treated with a thermal tempering process. Toughened glass has a wide variety of applications from home, to business, to automotive. It’s biggest claim to fame is in regards to its safety.

 

These are just a few of the types of specialty glass available. For more information, give Armstrong’s Glass and Mirror a call at (817) 937-6267.

 

Tips on Using Mirrors in your Decor

Mirrors are a fantastic addition for your home decor. They can add light and style to even small rooms. They work to open up space, brighten the room and enhance your living space. Mirrors can be implemented in any room in the home. They are not limited to traditional areas such as bathrooms. The following are tips on using mirrors in your decor to add light and style to your home.

1: Wall mirror with furniture in front

Try hanging a large wall mirror in one of your smallest rooms. Then place a piece of short furniture in front of the mirror such as a chest. This mirror will open up the room and reflect more light into the small space. The furniture will act as an anchor for the mirror creating a subtle effect.

2: Full length mirror between windows

If you have a room with full length windows try implementing a full length mirror between the two windows. This will trick the eye into feeling like there is another window. It will add light and pairs well with the style of the long windows.

3: Decorative mirrors with lamps

Try placing decorative mirrors behind small lamps on your bedside or couch side tables. The mirrors combined with the lamps will create a warm glow and add extra charm to the room.

4: Mirror placed across from a window

If you have a room that needs some brightening try pairing a large mirror across from a large window in the room. The mirror will reflect the light and add an open feel to the room. 

5: Kitchen backsplash mirror

If you have a small kitchen you would like to add depth to, consider using a mirror for your backsplash instead of tile. This is where implementing an antique style mirror can often be best as it does not show splatters as quickly as a traditional mirror.

Remember, if you are interested in the installation of mirrors in Fort Worth or any surrounding area, we are the company to call. We look forward to helping you open up your space, increase light and add pizzazz to your home.

Why is there residue on the glass?

Glass shower doors are an aesthetically stunning choice for a home. They take an item of necessity and create a beautiful touch for your bathroom. However, this beauty is lost when the glass doors are built up with white residue. Unfortunately, this is easy to have happen.

White residue can build up on the glass because of two things: soap scum and hard water spots. If you live in an area with hard water, it is nearly impossible to avoid this buildup. And soap scum is a natural part of owning a shower. The best solution before buildup occurs is to always wipe down your shower doors when they get wet. Cleaning off the water immediately can save you from facing tough buildup down the road.

How to remove buildup on glass shower doors

If you already have a white residue film on your glass shower doors, then check out these three tips on how to clean the glass.

1. White Vinegar: Spray some white vinegar onto the glass and try to scrub the film off with the aid of the vinegar. You may want to wear a mask as the smell will be strong.
2. Baking Soda Paste: This is another natural solution if you are trying to avoid harsh cleaners. Mix some baking soda with water to create a paste. Smooth over glass and allow to sit for a few minutes. Then clean off with a cloth and water.
3. BarKeeper’s Friend: If you have no luck with the natural solutions, you may want to try this heavy duty cleaner. Find the stove top version (this version is liquid not powder). Scrub the glass using this product and rinse.

If you still cannot remove the white residue from your shower doors, it may be time to replace the glass. If buildup has been left for too long, it is not always possible to remove it fully. Call us if you are in need of shower glass door replacement. Happy cleaning and good luck!

Pattern glass is a one-of-a-kind way to add character to a room.  In smaller areas, using strategically placed pattern glass instead of solid walls and hallways can truly open up the room!

Pattern glass is produced in a variety of ways for a variety of effects.  When combined with other specialty glass effects such as frosting or vibrant color tinting, pattern glass can become a work of art!

If you have a home or office and you’re looking to boost it’s visual appeal, Armstrong’s Glass & Mirror is here for you!  Many of our clients are awe struck to discover what specialty glass adds to their home or office.  Once you transform your featureless glass into beautiful pattern glass, the difference is like night and day!

Pattern Glass Specialists in Fort Worth, TX

Whether it’s for your home or office, we can help you achieve any look with any size glass the job takes!  Pattern glass is just one of the many things we do… if you are ever in need or repairs or replacement, our team of experts is ready to come to your aid!  What are you waiting for?  Request an Estimate right now while you explore our website!

Armstrong’s Glass & Mirror is located in Fort Worth, proudly providing service to:

• Fort Worth
• Keller
• Southlake
• Colleyville
• Grapevine
• Hurst
• Euless
• Bedford
• North Richland Hills

Pick up the phone and call us right now!  Armstrong’s Glass & Mirror takes pride in educating clients on the pros and cons of all things glass & mirror with ZERO pressure or sales gimmicks.

When YOU are ready, WE are ready to help you!

Broken Glass Repair is just one of the many great services offered by Armstrong’s Glass and Mirror.  It doesn’t matter if it’s your fault or the kids next door, we are capable of repairing or replacing any shattered dreams you’ve got laying around the home!

We found an amazing video that shows what happens to a window when it is forcibly shattered by a thrown object.  As you watch this video, notice how many more tiny shards of glass are dispersed compared to the larger, easily seen shards.

Most people will focus on picking up the larger, easily visible pieces of glass and run a vacuum cleaner over the rest assuming it gets the job done.  Depending on what vacuum you own, you may be doing absolutely nothing to get those tiny pieces of glass out from under foot!

Broken Glass Repair Done Right

Armstrong’s Glass & Mirror is Fort Worth’s Glass Specialist!  In our many active years of service, we have seen and successfully repaired:

• Damaged Exterior Windows
• Damaged Shower Doors
• Foggy / Cloudy Insulated Glass
• Stuck Windows
• Glass Table Tops

Chances are, if it’s made of glass and is in need of repair or replacement, Armstrong’s Glass & Mirror can fix you up and get you back to living comfortably in your home in next to no time!

About Armstrong’s Glass & Mirror

Armstrong’s Glass & Mirror is Fort Worth’s premiere broken glass repair experts.  We cater to all residential customers in Fort Worth, Colleyville, Euless, Keller, Grapevine, Bedford, Southlake, Hurst, and North Richland Hills!  If you are in North Texas and you can look over and see downtown Fort Worth, chances are we can help you!  Call us Now!

Power Generating Windows is the Future

There are various ways for you to preserve the energy used inside your home to heat it or cool it by utilizing window tint or blinds.  But your windows may be able to do more than just let in bright rays of sunshine on a clear day.

New window technology is being developed to make utilizing solar power more economical and more eye appealing.  Integrating solar power into the actual architecture of your home has taken strides with solar power generating roof shingles starting to gain momentum, and power generating windows may be the next big thing in line to combat rising energy prices.

New Energy Technologies out of Columbia, Maryland says that they are close to at least making this technology available to large commercial buildings due to the massive amounts of window surface area available.  The challenge, which has always been the issue with solar power, is keeping the cost of installation down and the power generation numbers up.

The technology used is actually a coating that is applied in between two panes of glass windows, which is a far cry from large, bulky solar panels that may be gracing your backyard or rooftop.  This technology is still a ways off from being available for reasonable application for residential homes, however, commercial applications may be underway in the next few years.

Frameless shower enclosures are a great way to add elegance to any bathroom. Aside from their stunning appearance, they also make your bathroom appear larger and showcase a beautifully tiled shower. Plus, they offer several benefits, such as:

• The sleek design of frameless showers can give any bathroom a modernized look. Modern bathrooms are very trendy and can be a focal selling point if you decide to sell your home.

• Because frameless shower doors do not require any tracks, they are easier to maintain and there is less potential for mildew and mold accumulation.

• Since there is no metal frame needed to hold the frameless door in place, there is no need to worry about corrosion or rust.

• Frameless doors require thicker glass for support, meaning they are much more durable than your standard glass shower door. In fact, a frameless shower door will last 3-4 times longer than a frames shower door.

• Frameless shower enclosures are a great option for those who are handicapped. Since there is no frame, the opening to the shower can be made wider and more accessible.

If you’re ready to update your bathroom with a frameless shower door in Fort Worth, call Armstrong’s Glass and Mirror today. All of our shower doors are made to order so that you can have the opportunity to customize your shower door to your liking.

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass, also known sometimes as toughened glass, is a type of safety glass that is often used in circumstances where standard glass would pose a potential danger if broken. When tempered glass is manufactured, it is heated to extreme temperature and then rapidly cooled. This makes it a lot harder and tougher than standard glass. This also changes the way tempered glass breaks.

Unlike standard glass that breaks into sharp shards, tempered glass breaks into small oval-shaped pebbles. This safety feature is why tempered glass is used to make car windows. Tempered glass is used to make oven windows, coffee pots, and computer screens because it is also heat resistant. Public structures are also required to use tempered glass windows to satisfy the building codes.

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass is also a type of safety glass that consists of layers of plastic and toughened glass. In the event that laminated glass is broken, the shattered pieces are held in place by an interlayer that’s in between two or more layers of glass. The glass crumbles into small pieces but will remain bonded. The characteristic “spider web” shaped crack typically occurs in laminated glass. Laminated glass is most commonly used to produce vehicle windshields.