Bear Glass Is A Premier Walker Distributor. We are better able to serve our customers with 2 facilities located in both Brooklyn NY and Tinton Falls NJ. Our Motto is ” We Do Everything In Glass And Mirror” so we are able to service any and all your glass and mirror needs.

Bear Glass NJ Acid Etched Glass is becoming trendy in design and construction.  The consistency and durability of the finish can reduce glare and reflection, add privacy, increase light transmission, and provide texture.  It is important to select the right acid-etched glass for an application, and avoid making issues during storage and fabrication.  Although the glass-etching process is generally consistent, variations in chemistry and other parameters create different surfaces with distinct visual and performance characteristics.  Glass is etched with an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid, which attacks the silica and roughens the glass surface.  Generally, the more ‘white’ or opaque the finish, the more rough and porous the surface is.  When choosing distinctive and unique types of glass, architects and designers often have specific objectives in mind.  With acid-etched glass, these goals can relate to light diffusion, light transmission, privacy, visual appearance, integration with surrounding objects, and energy efficiency through increased day lighting.  An etched surface with rugged peaks and deep valleys absorbs and diffuses light, rather than transmitting or reflecting it- the result is a rich, white, opaque appearance.  In contrast, an etched surface with smooth, rounded bumps enhances light transmission and creates a more transparent glass, characterized by reduced reflective glare and a soft translucent appearance.

Acid-etched Surface Finish

Acid-etched finished vary by manufacturer.  The type selected for a glass substrate renders a different level of opacity and smoothness and creates varied visual effects.  It also impacts performance ratios such as gloss, visible light transmission (VLT), visible light reflectance, shading coefficient, solar direct transmission, solar direct reflectance, and U-value.  The visual effect of the acid-etch finish on mirror varies depending on the extent of etching performed.  A lighter-etched mirror has more reflection whereas a deeper etch creates a matte finish and more depth in the glass.

Glass Substrate

The substrate also influences the color appearance, level of opacity, and performance ratios of acid-etched glass.  Many falsely believe pieces of ultra-clear glass look the same, irrespective of their origin; similarly, glass with a blue tint from manufacturer ABC is often incorrectly perceived to match the one produced by manufacturer XYZ.  Generally, the glass business markets different shades of glass in ultra-clear, green, blue, or black.  In addition, some glass floaters can make varying shades of one color.  For example, acid-etched products manufactured from low-iron glass have a translucent satin appearance without the ‘greening effect’ of ordinary clear glass.  Similarly, a piece of acid-etched glass made with a dark blue hue from one supplier creates a different visual effect than one made with light blue from the same manufacturer.  Consequently, the shade of the acid-etched glass or mirror likely varies among manufacturers, depending on the substrate used.  It is important to remember the acid-etched finish itself creates a different color appearance, with different tints having varying performance ratios.

Etching on both sides

Etching glass on both sides can enhance its characteristics.  This approach is suitable for applications requiring a higher level of opacity or a similar finish and visual effect on both sides of the glass panel (e.g. partitions).  Most glass is produced by the float process.  The raw materials- mainly silica sand, soda ash, and limestone- are melted in a furnace and then flowed onto a bath of molten tin.  The glass then takes form and gradually cools as it moves from the tin bath to a controlled cooling chamber.  Float glass is best etched on the ‘air’ or ‘atmosphere’ side of the sheet, due to the greater likelihood of impurities and surface imperfections on the ‘tin’ side.  Production of acid-etched mirrors and two-sided etched glass requires etching of the tin side, posing an increased risk of defects in the surface if inappropriately done.   When considering double-sided acid-etched glass or acid-etched mirror, the type of finish specified impacts quality.  The manufacturer of the acid-etched product can recommend the finish (if any) suitable for the application.

Exterior applications

Bear Glass New Jersey Acid Etched Glass may be appropriate for exterior applications, such as insulated glazing (IG) units, skylights, and balustrades.  As acid-etching is not a coating, its resistance properties in outside conditions are essentially equivalent to non-etched glass.  However, it is important to note an etched surface with rugged peaks and deep valleys could lead to higher maintenance costs because dirt particles may be harder to remove.  Therefore, the use on an etched surface with a lighter finish (i.e. smooth, rounded bumps) is recommended in exterior applications.  In these situations, the level and type of maintenance required is similar to that of non-etched glass.

Storage and Fabrication

If proper care is taken during storage and fabrication, acid-etched glass or mirror can be kept clean as easily as non-etched products.  Whether the glass is tempered, laminated, insulated, painted, or even bent, fabricators can preserve the quality of the final product.  However, the general suggestions for keeping acid-etched glass or mirror stain-free during storage and fabrication may not be suitable in all situations.  Fabricators should follow guidelines issued by the manufacturer of a particular product to prevent or fix any marks or stains that occur.

Storage

Proper storage practices can help avoid marking on acid-etched glass and mirror.  Storage spaces must be dry and adequately ventilated.  Sheets should not be stored in areas of high humidity or heat (e.g. places near steam or water pipes).  Spaces exposed to chemical fumes should also be avoided.  All these conditions promote staining.  Conversely, sheets should not be stored outdoors or in unheated areas.

Fabrication

Due to the particular characteristics of more rugged glass surfaces, extra care should be taken during their fabrication to minimize the likelihood of embedding grease or dirt into the surface.  Gloves must always be used when working with sheets.  When handling sheets using equipment with suction cups, the clean and dust-free cups should be applied to the flat, untreated side.  If this is impossible, care should be taken to ensure proper vacuum is achieved (i.e. testing must be done to be certain the cups ‘stick’ to the glass to handle to weight).  When edging glass, these practices should be followed:

1. The edging machine conveyors should be clean and free of grease and buildup of glass grindings or cerium oxide.
2. The conveyor must be regularly opened and the machine interior washed (particularly the brushes) using soapy water.
3. The front and back conveyor pads should be routinely brushed, until all traces of cerium oxide and glass grindings are removed.
4. The front and back conveyors must be synchronized at identical speeds.
5. Only coolants specifically recommended for glass grinding and that adhere closely to the manufacturer’s recommended dilution ration should be used.
6. Manufacturer guidelines for concentration levels must be followed when using cerium oxide, with care taken to never add more than the minimal amount necessary for good polishing.
7. Glass should be washed immediately after polishing.  Washer brushers with .36-mm (0.014-in) diameter nylon bristles offer the best results.  The glass washer should be equipped with one pair of upper and lower brushes for every 0.6m (2ft) per minute of travel- for example, a machine operating as a speed of 1.8m (6ft) per minute should have three pairs of brushes.  (This guideline is only applicable to regular float glass and not to coated products such as low-emissivity [low-e] glass).
8. As an extra precaution, wetting the glass surface immediately before polishing greatly reduces the risk of marking.

Writing the Right Specifications

Architects and designers constantly look to Bear Glass for new ways to use glass in exterior and interior applications.  Writing proper specifications, especially when distinctive and unique types of glass are chosen, is critical to ensure the desired design is achieved.  Acid-etched glass is no exception.  If care is not taken, the glass ordered and installed on the jobsite may be nothing like the product selected based on samples submitted.  To ensure the acid-etched glass products selected are actually used by the general contractor, glass fabricator, and glazier, the following information should be included in the specifications: name of manufacturer, product brand name, glass thickness, substrate (glass or mirror), tint (e.g. clear, ultra-clear, blue, green, black, bronze, grey), type of finish (name), and whether to etch on one or two glass faces.  Warranties and standards are often overlooked when writing specifications.  Inherent in the float glass process are small gaseous inclusions and minor abrasions.  Consequently, occasional, small ‘bubbles’ and hairlines are normal and acceptable under recognized standards; from a normal viewing distance, they are barely noticeable.  To ensure acid-etched products are made from float glass that conforms to industry standards, the manufacturer should be consulted.  In Canada, glass should comply with Canadian General Standards Board (CAN/CSBG) 12.3-M91, Flat, Clear Float Glass (Quality: Glazing).  In the United States, ASTM International C 1036-01, Standard Specification for Flat Glass (Quality: Q3-Stock Sheet) should be followed.  The manufacturer’s product warranty should refer to these standards.  Clearly, it is important to be specific about the nature of the acid-etched glass product required.  Communicating specifications in detail to a glass professional can help ensure the chosen product meets desired goals and objectives.

The post Bear Glass New Jersey Acid Etched Glass appeared first on Bear Glass Blog.

Bear Glass does everything in glass and mirror! We are a premier Dreamwalls Glass distributor. We have fabrication facilities in both Brooklyn New York, and Tinton Falls NJ. Dreamwalls Color Glass is manufactured using a propietary paint technolgy developed specifically for superior adhesion to glass.

From upscale commercial interiors to just about anywhere tile can be installed on walls, back painted glass adds brilliant color, shine and sophistication without the high maintenance grout lines. Transform ordinary walls into stunning interiors with Back Painted Glass. Widely popular in Europe, reverse and back painted glass is the perfect alternative to traditional tile, paint, and wallpaper, offering a custom glass finish that is modern, clean, seamless, vibrant, and hygienic.

The modern elegance makes this solution perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, showers, and many other areas of the home. In fact, back painted glass is so clean lined and beautiful, that it is increasingly being specified by leading interior designers and architects for new and innovative residential applications such as kitchen backsplashes, bathroom & shower walls, bar splashbacks, closet doors, cabinets, and furniture as well as for upscale commercial interiors, offices, and hotels.

There are currently 12 stock colors of annealed Dreamwalls Color Glass ready to ship. However, the color possibilities are limitless due to a computerized intermix system and our trained staff of color experts who ensure that the color you specify is the color you see. You choose a color from any color deck you use in your day-to-day business, and our experts can match it.

After the glass is coated with our unique paint, it is heat-cured and coated again with a backing paint for additional protection that is also heat-cured. This ensures that the paint remains durable during handling and fabrication to reduce the liklihood of scratches and cut-throughs.

Backpainted glass panels are available on either plate or low-iron glass. Custom shapes and edgework are also available. Back-painted glass is ideal for use in architectural elements such as walls, countertops, and glass backsplashes. When opacity and an easily cleaned surface are required, yet a specific color is preferred, backpainted glass is an excellent choice.

Benefits of Dreamwalls Color Glass:

• Easy to clean
• Moisture resistant
• Limitless color matching
• Hygienically non-porous
• Durable
• Temperable

We match the color codes of all leading paint manufacturers, including Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Kelly Moore, and many others. Computer color matching is also available.

Looking to add even more depth to your Bear Glass Back Painted Glass? Our textured glass can be color-coated on the smooth side or textured side. Each alternative produces its own unique look.

MORE BACK PAINTED FACTS:

• Bear Glass Back Painted Glass is durable, nonporous and easy to install. And with no grout lines, cleaning is fast and easy.
• With a standard sheet size of 84” x 130”, most projects can be done with very few seams, if any.
• Bear Glass Back Painted Glass is available in all standard glass thicknesses: 1/8”, 1/4?, 3/8”, 1/2?, 3/4?, and 1”.
• You can cut Bear Glass Back Painted Glass to virtually any shape. You can drill, notch, temper, and even bend it.

Bear Glass Back Painted Glass countertop edges can be flat-polished, pencil-polished, beveled, bull-nosed, mitered, ogee or chipped.

Samples are easily available

We’re happy to provide dealer showroom samples of the various colors, thicknesses and textures of Bear Glass Back Painted Glass.

The cost for individual samples for specific jobs is $45 each. We’ll credit the cost of up to two samples when the job is completed.

Bear Glass ships their back painted glass products worldwide. We do everything in glass and mirror.

For more information or to order your  back painted glass, please contact Bear Glass at:

FACTORY/ OFFICE

Address:

Bear Glass Inc.

399 20th Street

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Phone: 718-832-3604

Fax: 718-832-0786

E-mail: bearglass@yahoo.com

The post Bear Glass Does Back Painted Glass In New Jersey And New York appeared first on Bear Glass Blog.

Bear Glass Is The Premier Walker Glass Distributor

Bear Glass stocks all Walker’s Products in our 25000 SQFT facility located in Brooklyn New York and we would like to help our customers better understand the different patterned glass that we offer through Walker.

Walker Textures Nuance Stock Patterned Acid-Etched Glass and Mirror

Walker Textures Nuance Stock has been created to answer the growing demand for unique and environmentally friendly material for decorative and architectural applications. Patterned acid-etched glass and mirror will not only provide a great visual effect but a textural effect as well, due to the depth variation of the design.

The stock product line of acid-etched patterns is available in five distinctive designs with the 100 and 300 series. The 100 series is an acid-etched finish which combines Velour and Satin creating a true sense of privacy while maintaining a design element to the glass. The 300 series is our Satin finish on clear glass giving greater visibility to the decor through the glass. Both of these series feature a relief effect which adds character to the glass surface.

Patterned Acid-Etched Glass and Mirror Advantages

• Consistent finish and appearance
• Maintenance free
• More mar-resistant than sandblasted glass
• Does not peel or discolor like films
• Does not scratch off like coatings

Glass – Velour on Satin

Glass – Satin on Clear

Patterned Acid-etched Glass and Mirror Specifications

Substrates : Glass and mirror

• Colors: Clear, bronze, grey, black, green, blue or ultra-clear *
• Glass thicknesses: 3 mm to 19 mm **
• Mirror thicknesses: 3 mm to 6 mm **
• Sizes available: Standard 96″ x 130″, on request 84” x 130” **
• Finishes:

Series 100 Velour on Satin
Series 300 Satin on Clear

• Selected skus available in less than 4, 000 pound quantities

Walker Textures Nuance Custom Acid-etched Glass and Mirror

A world of countless creative patterns opens up to you with Walker Textures Nuance Custom. Now you can let your imagination run wild and create virtually any design. Thanks to our continuous research and development we are achieving high-quality registration and an unmatched level of detail.

The custom product line features three different acid-etch combinations allowing you to obtain your desired result. The 100 series combines two of our finishes Velour on Satin. The 200 series is our Velour on clear glass and the 300 series is our Satin on clear glass. All of these combinations create a nice textural effect on the glass surface.

Custom Acid-etched Glass and Mirror Advantages

• Consistent finish and appearance
• Maintenance free
• More mar-resistant than sandblasted glass
• Does not peel or discolor like films
• Does not scratch off like coatings

Custom Acid-etched Glass and Mirror Specifications

• Substrates : Glass and mirror
• Colors: Clear, bronze, grey, black, green, blue or ultra-clear *
• Glass thicknesses: 3 mm to 19 mm **
• Mirror thicknesses: 3 mm to 6 mm **
• Sizes available: Standard 96″ x 130″, on request 84” x 130” **
• Finishes:

Series 100 Velour on Satin
Series 200 Velour on Clear
Series 300 Satin on Clear

• Minimum Quantity: 4, 000 pounds

* Tempering of ultra-clear glass is recommended to correct slight color variances caused by the Walker Textures Nuance manufacturing process.

** Subject to glass availability.

Bear Glass can help you choose your patterned acid etched glass product needs to best fit for your project and by the way, we ship patterned acid etched glass worldwide.

For more information or to order your patterned acid etched glass products, please contact  Bear Glass at:

Factory / Office

Address:

Bear Glass Inc.

399 20^th Street

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Phone: 718-832-3604

Fax: 718-832-0786

E-mail: bearglass@yahoo.com

The post Patterned Acid-Etched Glass and Mirrors By Bear Glass in Brooklyn NY appeared first on Bear Glass Blog.

If you are looking for quality wood stove glass for your home heating needs, Bear Glass can provide custom wood stove glass doors that have been heat treated to increase strength and thermal shock and prevent injury due to breakage.

Ideal Solution for Woodstove Glass Replacement

Are you looking for woodstove glass replacement? Bear Glass can offer super heat resistant neoceram that is the perfect solution for use as cast iron wood stove glass doors where the panels are less than 6 inches from the hot burning fire.

The glass in your wood stove door or fireplace gives you a clear view of the fire burining. This is part of the ambiance of having a wood stove or fireplace. When you have glass in the wood stove door, it makes it that much more enjoyable to have a fire burning on a chilly fall evening or a cold winter day. Sometimes, due to accidents, the wood stove glass gets broken. We can replace it for you. We custom cut the woodstove glass to meet your needs. If it is curved or any shape other than a rectangle, provide us with a template and we’ll cut it to your specifications. Bear Glass specializes in 24 hour turn-around so you have your wood stove glass back in your woodstove door and you are back in service, once again enjoying a romatic fire on a chilly evening.

Neoceram® is commonly referred to as glass but it is actually a transparent ceramic. Neoceram is 3/16″ or 5mm thick. Unlike true glass, NeoCeram® withstands continuous exposure to high temperatures without fear of destruction. It is also resistant to failure due to temperature variation. This makes it the ideal solution for many wood stoves and fireplaces where glass panels are less than 6 inches from the flames. We offer optional tints or colors for your custom order.

Neoceram is a transparent low expansion glass-ceramic with a number of outstanding features that include high resistance to thermal shock, high mechanical strength, and excellent electrical characteristics. With an almost zero thermal expansion coefficient, the applications for Neoceram continue to grow from Wood Stoves, Gas Fireplaces, Electric Heaters to High Tech Applications.

About Neoceram Neoceram is commonly referred to as glass but it is actually a transparent ceramic. Neoceram is 3/16″ or 5mm thick. Ideal Solution for Woodstoves. Unlike annealed glass (Regular Float), Neoceram withstands continuous exposure to high temperatures without the fear of destruction. It is also resistant to failure due to temperature variation. It is the ideal solution for many wood stoves and fireplaces where glass panels are less than 6 inches from the flames.

Strength and Durability Neoceram can take the heat! Continuous temperatures up to 1470°F (700°C) can be withstood because this ceramic has an extremely low thermal coefficient of expansion. It doesn’t run or swell at high temperatures the way normal glass does.

Field Tested against Underwriters Laboratories (UL-1482) impact test Neoceram is a glass product that offers continuous, high temperature use (700°C / 1470° F) with no fear of destruction from high heat or temperature variation (water or snow on hot glass). Whether burning gas or wood, today’s high efficiency stoves and fireplaces can produce intense heat. While ordinary tempered glass withstands temperatures up to approximately 250° C (500°F), higher levels of heat may cause it to crack and shatter or worse explode out of your fireplace. For builders and home owners, that can mean costly replacements – or worse!

Thanks to modern technology, there is now an alternative! With the transparency of glass and the heat-resistant characteristics of ceramic. Neoceram can tolerate continuous temperatures up to 1470° F – nearly three times the heat resistance of tempered glass. Neoceram cannot be broken by heat during typical usage in a wood stove or gas fireplace.

Neoceram glass ceramic enables hearth appliance manufacturers and dealers to provide their customers with safe, high-efficiency gas- and wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, while maintaining the latest design options. Neoceram can withstand continuous temperatures up to 1, 292° F—nearly three times the heat resistance of tempered glass. It is ideal for use in high-efficiency heating appliances and cannot be broken by heat during typical usage.

Neoceram – PYROCERAM CERAMIC GLASS – STOVE GLASS available in 3/16″ thickness only. Only genuine pyroceram ceramic glass is used High temperature Pyroceram ceramic glass is suitable for use in wood, pellet and coal burning stoves. It’s thermal shock rating of 1380° F makes it ideal for any application where high temperature tolerance is required. Rarely used for fireplace doors. It often is used in industrial high temperature applications.

We currently stock Pyroceram, there is no visual or performance difference between pyroceram, neoceram, or robax, The difference is just trademarks, all 3 are transparent high temperature ceramic glass with a 1380° F thermal shock tolerance with a slight amber tint, slight texture, and available in 5mm (3/16) thickness.

We ship  Woodstove Glass world wide.

For more information, please contact us at:

FACTORY/OFFICE

Address:

Bear Glass Inc.

399 20th Street

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Phone: 718-832-3604

Fax: 718-832-0786

Email: bearglass@yahoo.com

The post Wood Stove Glass appeared first on Bear Glass Blog.

When you think of fire protection in a building, what comes to mind? Fire extinguishers? Smoke alarms? Sprinkler systems? Chances are that window glass wasn’t at the top of the list. While fire-rated glass has been an important component in building safety for decades, most professionals in the industry know relatively little about it. As a result, it isn’t difficult for the incorrect product to be specified, installed and approved – potentially putting lives and property at unnecessary risk.

We’ll begin with some basic definitions. Just what is fire-rated glass? As the name implies, it is glass that has proven to offer a certain degree of protection in the face of fire. That may sound like a strange task for glass to perform. Obviously, glass can’t extinguish a fire or warn a building’s occupants that there’s any danger. But fire-rated glass can help keep flames and smoke from spreading from one room to another. The official term for this is compartmentation, and it means that glass can play a vital role in restricting fire damage to a limited area.

To the casual observer, it would seem that any glass could do that. After all, fire-rated glass looks deceptively similar to its non-rated counterparts. However, in reality, most glass offers little, if any, fire protection. For instance, standard window glass will break when the temperature reaches approximately 250° F. Tempered glass can last until about 500°F. In contrast, fire-rated glass can typically survive heat in excess of 1600° F. That’s a marked difference in performance. With structural fires capable of reaching extremely high temperatures very quickly, the need for this specialty glass is easy to recognize.

To earn its stripes, fire-rated glass must pass a battery of tests established by national test standards. Independent laboratories (such as U.L.) run the tests, then assign an appropriate rating based on the results. The ratings are time increments, reflecting the duration of testing the product endured. That duration is intended to correspond to the length of time the glass should be expected to perform reliably in a fire. So if a product has a 45 minute rating, theoretically you could count on it containing flames and smoke for the first 45 minutes of a fire.

The testing is conducted in two parts. First, several pieces of the glass are installed in the wall of a large furnace. The wall might contain doors, sidelites, transoms, windows, etc. Following a strict time/temperature curve, the heat in the furnace is raised to an intense level, simulating conditions in a burning building. In order to successfully pass the test, the glass must remain in the frame. Cracking is allowed, provided the glass can still act as a barrier to flames and smoke.

Assuming the glass survived that portion of the test, there is a second phase required in the U.S. for a rating of 45 minutes or more. This is called the hose stream test, and it demonstrates the ability of the glass to withstand what is know as thermal shock. A fire hose with a high pressure nozzle is brought in to douse the hot glass with water at a pressure of at least 30 psi. Most glass cannot tolerate the stress of having one area hot and the other cool at the same time, and so it will shatter. If sprinklers come on during a fire, or if fire fighters arrive with extinguishers and hoses, it is quite possible for hot glass to be exposed to water. The last thing anyone would want at that point would be for the glass to vacate an opening, leaving room for the flames and smoke to spread. The hose stream test thus tests the integrity of the glass, framing system, and surrounding materials.

Once a product has completed the rigorous test process, it is assigned a fire rating. Ratings generally run anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours. Building codes then dictate where those differently rated products would be allowed in a building. In general, the codes are designed to take into account how long it will take people to exit a building in the event of a fire.

As you might suspect, many of the locations (such as doors and sidelites) requiring fire-rated glass are also locations where impact safety is a concern. This used to pose a real dilemma, because product options were very limited. None of the glass that had high impact ratings could pass the fire tests, and the fire-rated glass (typically wired glass) wasn’t strong enough for more than the minimum impact testing. So there often had to be a compromise. Today, however, there are several wireless glass products available that offer high levels of both fire and impact safety.

Impact ratings indicate what can be expected if someone (or something) runs into the glass. To test for impact, a 100 lb. bag of lead shot is dropped against a vertical piece of glass. The bag is raised to various heights for the different ratings to approximate the impact of individuals coming in contact with the glass. Afterwards, the breakage pattern of the glass is closely examined to determine whether or not it would be considered a hazard.

If you see a piece of wired glass with a label that says ANSI Z97.1, that means the glass has been tested to withstand 100 ft./lb., similar to impact of a small child. On the other hand, glass labeled as meeting CPSC 16CFR1201 (Category II) withstands 400 ft./lb. That is similar to the impact of a fast moving, full-grown adult.

When you multiply the number of fire ratings with the different safety ratings, you can see that the possible combinations are impressive. But ratings alone do not distinguish the various types of fire-rated glass on the market today. Each product has its own unique characteristics, making the decision process even more complex.

Despite all the variety, the field can be organized in a fairly simple and logical way. All fire-rated glazing falls into the following four primary categories:

Bear Glass Polished Wired Glass is far and away the most well known product in the industry. Used for more than a century, it has a solid track record. Most codes were originally written around wired glass, because for many years it was the only glass that could pass the fire testing. Wired glass is able to pass the hose stream test, and has earned a 45 minute rating (even higher in very small door sizes). Code and fire officials have been able to instantly recognize the wire mesh as a sign that glass was fire-rated.

In some instances, however, that same wire mesh has presented an undesirable “institutional” image. And occasionally, people have mistakenly assumed that the wire mesh makes the glass more impact resistant. Truth be told, wired glass is a relatively weak glass that only meets minimal 100 ft./lb. impact standards. With that in mind, even though wired glass is readily available and easily affordable, great care should be taken if it is installed in areas where impact safety is a concern, such as schools and other high traffic areas. Some schools, with liability issues in mind, use high impact fire-rated glass – even if initial costs are higher.

Bear Glass Ceramic Glass is a category of fire-rated glazing that has entered the market during the past 12 years. Ceramic has long been known for its amazing ability to withstand heat and thermal shock. That’s why today you can find ceramic in everything from cooktops to car engines. Once the technology was developed to form a clear product out of ceramic, it didn’t take long to see the potential for its use as a fire-rated glass.

Bear Glass Transparent and Wireless, Ceramic Glass offers a distinct aesthetic advantage. It comes in a range of make-ups that can provide many different characteristics: fire ratings up to 3 hours, high impact safety ratings, sound reduction, etc. It can also be beveled, etched or sandblasted without affecting the fire rating. It is even available in insulated glass unit (IGU) make-ups that comply with energy codes for use in exterior applications.

Bear Glass Specialty Tempered Glass has become a popular alternative for low level fire safety. It is clear, wireless and has a fairly moderate initial investment. High impact ratings make it suitable for some door applications. However, it does have some serious drawbacks that are important to note.

Unlike other fire-rated glazing products, specially tempered glass doesn’t pass the hose stream test. In an actual fire, if sprinklers activate nearby and even a small amount of water hits the hot glass, it will likely fall out of its frame – quite possibly within just a few minutes. That’s why it has only been able to comply with standards for a 20 minute rating. Many times this type of material has been inappropriately substituted for wired glass or other higher performance fire-rated glass, when in fact it does not carry the same fire rating. If sprinklers are anywhere near the opening, this product should not be considered.

Bear Glass Transparent Wall Units make up the final category of fire-rated glass, and in reality, they are in a class by themselves. They are tested and classified as “walls, ” even though they are made of glass. Their claim to fame is their resistance to heat tranfer. Transparent wall units can actually block significant amounts of heat from transfering through the glass. A fire could be raging on one side and you could literally still place your hand on the other side of the glass. For areas such as stairwells where people could be trapped for long periods of time, or in sensitive computer areas, or where large expanses of glass are used, transparent wall panels serve a genuine need.

There are different kinds of these products on the market. Some are insulated units filled with a clear gel that turns to an opaque foam during a fire. Others are made of multiple layers of glass (similar to bullet resistant glass) with intumescent interlayers that turn opaque during a fire. Both styles of products have ratings of up to 2 hours, withstand the fire hose stream test and offer high impact safety ratings. Thanks to new framing that is now available, architects can incorporate these transparent wall and door units from floor to ceiling in their designs, and still offer 2 hour fire protection.

Fire Rated Glass is a Bear Glass specialty. We look forward to working with you on your next project! Call us with your special needs and your unusual requirements. Competitive prices, outstanding delivery dates, and close interactive customer service make Bear Glass a perfect choice for your next job. We are committed to delivering a premium level service – providing speed, quality and simplicity throughout the entire process. Bear Glass is the preferred supplier to many of America’s best Architects, Designers, Builders and more.

We ship Fire Rated Glass worldwide.

Representatives from Bear Glass will be available  to answer questions about our line of Fire Rated Glass. To learn more, or to order  Bear Glass Fire Rated Glass:

FACTORY/OFFICE

The post Bear Glass Fire Rated Glass appeared first on Bear Glass Blog.

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Bear Glass offers Starphire low iron glass for special production runs, so be sure to ask us about it! Why choose Starphire low iron glass? The difference is clear…

Look at “regular” glass and you’ll notice a slight green tint (especially when viewing the edges) that becomes more noticeable when the glass is thicker. Often this is not an issue, but in many applications – such as glass tables and glass table tops, shop windows, entry doors or display cases – clarity becomes more important. And that’s where Starphire low iron glass is clearly better.

Starphire low iron glass is specially made for exceptional clarity, and will not dull or distort the true colors in the color spectrum. Whether it’s referred to as “extra clear, ” “water white” or “low iron, ” the glass is made to be crystal clear and virtually tint-free.

What makes Starphire low iron glass so pure and sparkling? One of the main ingredients in all glass is silica sand, which has naturally occurring iron oxides. These oxides are what cause the greenish tint in glass. But Starlite low iron glass is made from a high grade of silica sand that is almost completely free of iron oxides. By reducing the iron content you reduce the greenish tint and increase light transmission, brightness and clarity.

In fact, Starphire low iron glass can have as little as 10% of the iron content of regular glass, allowing it to transmit 91% of light, compared to 83% for regular glass.

Although the raw materials are different, Starphire low iron glass is manufactured the same way as regular glass, and can be pressed, cut, polished, tempered and otherwise worked the same way as well. It can be used wherever regular glass would be used, from interior and exterior applications in commercial buildings, to glass tables and glass table tops.

With such a brilliant, beautiful look, Bear Glass wants you to consider Starphire low iron glass for your special orders of glass tables and glass table tops.

Characteristics of Starphire glass and mirror

• Nearly unaltered, neutral, warm reflection
• Best clarity, truest color, and highest visible light
• Color purity of desired glass coatings
• Highest solar energy reflectance of any other acid-etched clear glass

We will ship Starphire Glass worldwide.

For more information, please contact us at:

FACTORY/OFFICE

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BEAR GLASS IS A FULL GLASS FABRICATOR IN BROOKLYN, NY.  WE ARE THIRD
GENERATION GLAZIERS.  WE ARE AT OUR CURRENT LOCATION FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
HERE WE UTILIZE OVER 25, 000 SQ FT TO ITS MAXIMUM . WE DELIVER TO THE
TRI-STATE AREA 5 DAYS A WEEK, WITH 5 TRUCKS ON THE ROAD DAILY.  ALSO, WE
SHIP NATIONWIDE.  WE USE CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY TO SERVICE OUR
CUSTOMERS, AND WE HAVE THE LARGEST INVENTORY FOR STOCK SHEETS.  EVEN
THOSE HARD TO FIND TYPES.  WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO BE
MORE PRODUCTIVE.  WHETHER IT’S PURCHASING NEW MACHINERY TO PROVIDE NEW
SERVICES OR BRINGING IN DIFFERENT LINES OF GLASS, WE DO IT.  WE STRIVE TO
KEEP OUR CUSTOMERS SATISFIED, AND ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO MAKE NEW ONES.
WE ENJOY WORKING ONE ON ONE WITH PEOPLE  IN THEIR PROJECTS.  IF YOU WOULD
LIKE PLEASE GIVE US A CALL OR DROP US AN EMAIL.

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