Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. We fabricate glass panels in virtually any shape — circles, arches, trapezoids, asymmetric polygons, and free-form organic curves. The process begins with precise templating of your space, followed by CNC cutting or hand-cutting depending on the complexity of the shape. We work with tempered and laminated glass, which can be shaped before the final tempering process. If your project requires a shape that follows an existing architectural feature — like a curved wall or an angled roofline in a converted loft — we create physical templates on site to ensure a perfect fit.

Yes, and the range of possibilities is extensive. We offer sandblast etching for bold, textured patterns, and acid etching for smoother, more refined finishes. Custom designs can include geometric patterns, gradients that transition from opaque to clear, company logos for commercial storefronts, and artistic motifs created from your original artwork or design files. We can etch on one or both surfaces of the glass for different visual effects. Selective frosting — where portions of the glass remain clear while others are etched — is especially popular for shower enclosures and room dividers where you want privacy at certain heights and transparency at others.

We collaborate with design professionals on a regular basis and are set up to work from architectural drawings, CAD files, and detailed specifications. We provide glass samples for material selection meetings, can attend site visits with your project team, and offer technical guidance on structural requirements, code compliance, and installation logistics. For larger projects, we can provide phased delivery schedules that coordinate with your overall construction timeline. Many architects and designers in Brooklyn and the broader New York area use us as their go-to glass fabricator for custom projects.

Our decorative glass selection spans a wide spectrum. Frosted glass offers uniform privacy with a smooth matte finish. Reeded glass features vertical grooves that create a fluted texture popular in contemporary and Art Deco-inspired designs. Acid-etched glass provides a silky, refined surface. Beyond textures, we offer bronze-tinted and gray-tinted glass that introduce warm or cool color into your space. White laminate glass provides complete opacity while still transmitting light. Antique mirror glass adds vintage character with its intentionally aged patina. Wire glass, originally industrial, is now used decoratively for its distinctive crosshatch pattern. We can also source specialty colored glass and custom patterns for unique installations.

Glass dividers are one of our most requested installations for loft spaces in Bushwick and the surrounding neighborhoods. We design and install floor-to-ceiling glass partitions that define separate zones — bedroom, workspace, living area — without blocking light or compromising the open, expansive feel that makes loft living special. The glass can be clear for maximum transparency, frosted for privacy, or a combination where the lower portion is frosted and the upper section is clear. We mount dividers using steel channels, clamps, or custom steel frames depending on your aesthetic preference and structural situation.

Warehouse conversions present unique installation challenges that we are experienced in navigating. Floors are frequently uneven from decades of industrial use, walls may be rough-textured brick or concrete that is not perfectly plumb, and ceiling heights can vary significantly across a single space. Our approach starts with detailed on-site assessment and templating. We use adjustable mounting systems that accommodate irregularities in the structure. For brick walls, we drill into the mortar joints rather than the brick itself for the strongest hold. For exposed steel beams, we use specialized clamps that attach directly to the structural steel. Every installation is shimmed and leveled to appear perfectly straight even when the surrounding structure is not.

While no single pane of glass provides complete soundproofing, we can significantly improve acoustic separation through material selection and installation technique. Laminated glass, which consists of two glass layers bonded with a plastic interlayer, dampens sound transmission much more effectively than single-pane tempered glass. For even greater sound reduction, we can install dual-pane configurations with an air gap between the layers. Proper sealing around the edges is equally important — we use acoustic-grade silicone and ensure there are no gaps where sound can leak through. For loft spaces used as music studios or recording areas, we have experience designing multi-layer glass systems that achieve meaningful sound isolation.

Yes, and this is where our custom fabrication process truly shines. Lofts and converted warehouses frequently feature soaring ceilings, angled rooflines, mezzanine levels, and exposed structural elements that interrupt clean lines. We template every installation on site, capturing the exact dimensions and angles of your space. Glass panels can be cut to follow sloped ceilings, notched around beams and pipes, and shaped to fit into triangular gable ends or trapezoidal alcoves. There is no standard shape we cannot deviate from if your space demands it.

Unusual bathroom layouts are our specialty, not our obstacle. Many bathrooms in Bushwick — particularly in converted industrial spaces and older brownstones — have angled walls, sloped ceilings, off-center drains, and non-standard dimensions that rule out pre-fabricated shower enclosures. We create physical templates of your shower opening on site, accounting for every irregularity. From those templates, we cut glass panels that follow the exact contours of your space. The result is a shower enclosure that fits as though it was designed with the building, even if the building was designed as a textile factory a century ago.

Obscure glass is a category of glass that distorts or blocks the view through it while still transmitting light. It includes several subtypes: frosted glass with its uniform matte finish, reeded glass with vertical grooves, acid-etched glass with a silky texture, and rain glass that mimics water droplets. In bathrooms, obscure glass is ideal for shower enclosures where you want natural light but not full transparency — particularly in bathrooms shared by multiple people or visible from hallways. Beyond bathrooms, obscure glass is used for interior doors, sidelights next to entry doors, office partitions, and as a decorative element in room dividers where partial privacy is desired.

We offer hardware in every major finish — polished chrome, brushed nickel, satin brass, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, and polished gold — so matching your existing faucets, towel bars, and cabinet pulls is straightforward. For the glass itself, we can coordinate tint with your design scheme: bronze glass with warm-toned fixtures, gray glass with cool-toned fixtures, or crystal-clear Starphire when you want the glass to disappear entirely and let your tile work speak for itself. During our consultation, we bring physical samples of glass and hardware so you can see how materials interact with your bathroom finishes in your actual lighting conditions.

The timeline from initial contact to completed installation typically runs two to three weeks. The process includes the consultation visit, on-site measurement and templating, custom glass fabrication, and finally installation day itself. The on-site installation takes anywhere from forty minutes for a simple fixed panel to three or four hours for a complex multi-panel steam room enclosure. After installation, we ask that you wait twenty-four hours before using the shower to allow the silicone seals to fully cure.

Tempered glass is heat-treated to be four to five times stronger than regular glass. When it breaks, it shatters into small, relatively harmless pebble-like pieces rather than dangerous shards. This makes it the standard choice for shower doors and interior applications. Laminated glass consists of two glass layers bonded with a tough plastic interlayer. When laminated glass breaks, the pieces stay adhered to the interlayer rather than falling apart. This makes it ideal for overhead installations, security applications, and situations where the glass must remain in place even when damaged. For most residential shower installations, we use tempered glass. For overhead panels, skylights, and security applications, we use laminated.

Brooklyn water can be tough on glass surfaces. The best defense is a daily squeegee habit — thirty seconds after each shower removes the water that causes mineral deposits. For weekly cleaning, an ammonia-free glass cleaner works perfectly. For existing hard water buildup, specialized limescale removers available at hardware stores dissolve mineral deposits effectively. Textured and frosted glass naturally hides water spots better than clear glass, which is worth considering if low maintenance is a priority. We also recommend avoiding ammonia-based cleaners entirely, especially on mirrors and antique glass, as ammonia degrades reflective coatings over time.

Starphire glass, also called low-iron glass, eliminates the faint green tint that standard clear glass has when viewed on edge or in thicker panels. If you have invested in beautiful tile work, natural stone, or specific color schemes in your bathroom, Starphire lets those colors show through exactly as intended. The difference is most noticeable with white and light-colored tiles, where the green tint of standard glass can subtly shift the perceived color. For darker or heavily patterned tile, the difference is less critical. We bring comparison samples to every consultation so you can judge the difference in your own space and lighting.

For frameless shower doors and panels, we use three-eighths inch tempered glass as our standard. This thickness provides the right balance of structural rigidity, weight, and visual presence. It is thick enough to feel substantial and resist flexing, but not so heavy that hardware is overstressed. For fixed panels that do not swing or slide, three-eighths inch is ideal. For very large panels or doors that span wide openings, we may recommend half-inch glass for additional rigidity. Framed and semi-framed shower systems can use thinner quarter-inch glass because the frame provides structural support.