Glass is't just for Windows

Glass isn’t just for Windows!

When thinking of glass, most people think windows for their home, car or business. But you would be amazed at how many other things Glass Doctor works on. Glass is often used in home décor on items such as tabletops, cabinets, shelving, showers and patio doors.

Glass-topped dining tables are very stylish and don’t stain or warp like wooden tables can. They also don’t require polishing, and you can place hot dishes directly on the glass. Many people choose a glass top for a table so they can customize the shape and size such as round, rectangle, square or to custom fit a specific area.

Many homeowners opt for glass shelves, as they appear to float and don’t detract from the items being showcased. This leads to clean lines in a home and can be utilized in all rooms for displaying items such as books, candles, flowers and more. And new technology allows for tongue and groove glass shelves that require no unsightly hardware.  

Shower doors are often used in place of shower curtains. A beautiful shower is the centerpiece of any bathroom. It allows light into the space and can make showering more enjoyable. A well-appointed bathroom can greatly increase the value of your home. Glass Doctor has many shapes, sizes, designs and colors available for handling your updating needs. 

Patio Doors take a lot of abuse at home with people in and out on a daily basis. Ensuring that you have energy efficient glass in these doors will help keep the heat in and reduce your energy costs. Not only are these doors an outlet to your yard but also they serve as security and a light source. Make sure you select and maintain your patio glass with care.

Whatever your glass needs, Glass Doctor has many different styles to best suit your home and your décor needs.

DIY Decorative Mirrors

George Bernard Shaw once said, “You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.”  Think about that for a minute.  Now, what if you could do both at the same time – see your face and see your soul?  Well, you can.  Your Glass Doctor® specialists have provided you with five options to create your own decorative mirror work of art.

Seashells

Photo courtesy of hgtv.com

The fun part about this mirror is you can use shells you’ve collected from past vacations.  If all else fails, you can always purchase shells at your local craft shop, but maybe this is just the perfect excuse for a beach getaway in the near future.

Flowers

Photo courtesy of familycircle.com

Maybe tulips are your favorite flower or maybe roses remind you of your wedding.  Why not create a floral mirror that symbolizes a special memory?

Tile

Photo courtesy of sandandsisal.com

What’s really cool about decorating a mirror with tile is you can go in so many directions with this.  You can go a little retro, mosaic or even metallic.  There are so many options.

Clothespins

Photo courtesy of inmyownstyle.com

A mirror using ordinary clothespins is just simply fun.  But how about painting and decorating the clothespins?  And who says you have to use one color scheme or one design pattern? Oh, the possibilities are endless.

Cutlery

Photo courtesy of flamingotoes.com

Creating a frame for a mirror using eating utensils is both wacky and ingenious in the most awesome kind of way.  You can certainly use a complete set of matching utensils if you want, but what if you made this into an estate-sale scavenger hunt to find mix-and-match cutlery?  That would be so cool.

To be honest, this is just the tip of the ice burg with what you can do with a mirror.  Jump on these ideas or if you come up with something different, let us know.  We would love to see pictures of your masterpiece.

- See more at: http://blog.glassdoctor.com/diy-decorative-mirrors/#sthash.fp3Y1tMe.dpuf

Sunscreen Your Windows

Sunscreen Your Windows

Most people are aware of global warming and concerned with constant weather changes. With global warming comes higher UV Rays, and the need for lots of sunscreen. Many of us take safety precautions outside to prevent sun damage, but did you realize it is also important to keep UV Rays outside of your home?

Harmful Rays

There are two types of radiation that can harm the skin and in some cases can lead to possible skin damage and even cancer; UVA Rays and UVB Rays.

According to studies, at least 50% of the sun’s rays penetrate through your windows and blinds. There are now products available that keep your skin protected when indoors, such as window films. These films block most of the UV rays from entering your home. Studies say that these films can block up to 99.9% of UV radiation.

If you are unaware of the damage that sunrays can do to your skin, take a look at furniture or an object in your house that has been left by the window for a while. Usually the color of the object will fade, and your skin is no exception.

Keeping The Sun Out

Window films are not just there to block out the sun’s UV Rays and prevent damage to your furniture, but it also helps your home’s energy costs.

Another option to consider is some sort of “safety” film. These safety films help glass windows from being shattered, which is great for anyone who is concerned about break-ins and property damage.

As you can see there are many benefits of installing film for your windows. Consider these options today and cut down on the risk of sun damage to your family and to your home.

- See more at: http://blog.glassdoctor.com/sunscreen-your-windows/#sthash.4e2z9NVD.dpuf

How To Remove Fingerprints From Glass

Picture this…it’s a beautiful sunshiny day.  The curtains are open just enough to let the gorgeous, natural light beam into the room.  You sit down with your morning cup of coffee and gaze out the window at your picturesque backyard.  The children are playing; the puppy’s running and the hummingbirds are feeding.  You would love to sit back and enjoy the moment, but there are fingerprints all over the windows.  These aren’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill fingerprints.  These fingerprints are vicious.  They’re practically shouting at you and insulting your house-cleaning abilities.  These insidious fingerprints cut you to your very core.  With a huff, you’re determined to take out the intruder.  As your coffee cools, you struggle to find your window-cleaning supplies.  What once was a glorious morning has now turned in to a frustrating, fingerprinted mess.

Your Glass Doctor® professionals don’t want you to fall victim to intruding fingerprints.  Let us help you fix your glass-cleaning panes by helping you prepare a glass-cleaning kit, so you won’t ever have to let a cup of coffee cool unnecessarily.

Glass-Cleaning Kit

• Glass Cleaner
• White Cotton Cloth
• Old Newspaper
• Microfiber Cloth
• Dish Detergent
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
• Grapefruit
• Salt

Windows: glass cleaner, white cotton cloth, old newspaper

Photo courtesy of mom4real.com

TV Screen: microfiber cloth

Photo courtesy of goodhousekeeping.com

Stove Tops: dish detergent, white cotton cloth, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Photo courtesy of howtocleanstuff.com

Shower Door: grapefruit, salt

Photo courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

Glasses: white cotton cloth

Photo courtesy of lifehacker.com

Being prepared is the first step.  Don’t let unsightly fingerprints catch you off guard.

Spring Break 2014 - Camps & Activities for Kids on the North Shore

All schools will be closed from Monday, March 17 through Friday, March 28, 2014.  So what will your kids be doing? Need a camp to send them to, or are you looking for some family fun? We have a complete list of links for both. Enjoy!

Artists for Kids' Day Camps.  We offer full-day art-based camps during Spring Break and the Summer Break for early elementary school-aged students, Kindergarten to Grade 2, and Grade 2 to 4.

Norgate's Spring Break Camp.  Looking for something to keep the kids busy, happy, engaged, and active during Spring Break?  Norgate's Spring Break Camp is just the thing!  For kids aged 5 to 12 (children are placed in age-appropriate groups).

More Spring Break Camps and Activities

4Cats Arts Studio - Spring Camps

Atlantis Programs and Pedalheads - British Columbia Bike Camp Schedule

Bilingual Spring Break Camp in North Vancouver

Bricks 4 Kidz

Camp Jubilee - Spring Break Camp

Canlan Ice Sports - Sports Camps

Cypress Mountain Youth Camps

Dynamic Dan Camps 2014 - Basketball and Volleyball

The Edge Climbing Centre

Endless Biking

Grouse Mountain

Mount Seymour - Spring Camps

North Shore Winter Club Spring Break Program Guide

North Vancouver Community Arts Council - Spring Break Art Camps

North Vancouver Football Club - Spring Break Camp

North Vancouver Recreation Commission Programs - Day Camps

Seymour Golf and Country Club

West Vancouver Soccer Club - Spring Break Camps

West Vancouver Recreation - Spring Break Programming

Build Your Own Spring Break Camp

Beatty Biodiversity Museum at UBC

Britannia Mine Museum

Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge

Maplewood Farm

Museum of Anthropology at UBC

North Vancouver City Public Library

North Vancouver District Public Library

North Vancouver Recreation Commission

Science World

Vancouver Art Gallery

Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver Chinatown

How Efficient Are Your Windows?

Windows provide our homes with light, warmth, and ventilation, but they can also negatively impact a home's energy efficiency. You can reduce energy costs by installing energy-efficient windows in your home. If your budget is tight, energy efficiency improvements to existing windows can also help.

Heating and cooling costs can be affected just based on the type of windows you have. If you have an older home and new windows were never an upgrade, it may make more sense to get new windows instead of just trying to improve upon the existing windows. New windows will lower heating and cooling costs, eventually covering the initial cost.

Storm windows can reduce the amount of air leaking out and remove drafts. Weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors can assist in this as well.  Weather-stripping is designed for things that move such as doors and windows that open. Use caulk where gaps exist.

Another way to improve the efficiency of your windows is to select different options with regards to curtains and blinds. Window treatments can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Often Energy Star approved windows can eve be zoned for your area you know they can withstand the climate you may regularly endure. When properly selected and installed, energy-efficient windows can help minimize your heating and cooling costs.

Energy efficient windows not only reduce home energy costs and drafts but can reduce noise and help increase light in the home.  Don’t forget about skylights and doors as well. Window replacement in skylights can help reduce condensation that builds up in older models.

If you would like to have a home audit done to see if your windows are energy efficient, or letting your money leak out the door, give us a call! 604-984-4527

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BATH SAFETY TIPS by Glass Doctor NorthVancouver

Stay with her. It is recommended that children 4 and under always have a parent or caregiver present when they are near water, including the tub. Accidents can happen in an instant. 

Prevent slips. Young children do not have the coordination or strength to hold steady if they lose their balance. Affix a slip-resistant plastic mat that suctions to the bottom of the tub and make sure the throw rug outside the tub does not slide when stepped on. Consider installing a grab bar for kids to hold onto when stepping in and out of the bath. 

Test the temperature. Always wait until the tub is finished filling up before placing your child in the water, as the temperature can change. Set your home's water heater to deliver water no hotter than 120 degrees to lower the risk of scalding. If you don't have control over the heater, buy an anti-scald device that attaches to the faucet.

Beware of sharp edges. Use a rubber cover for the faucet head and drape a towel over metal rails for shower doors when your child is in the bath. Make sure any glass shower doors are made of shatter-proof glass. Avoid bath toys with hard edges or points that could be hazardous if your child falls onto them.

12 Days of Christmas - Glass Doctor Style

Day 12 - 12 Months of Guarantee with our G12 Guarantee - Glass Doctor guarantees that if your windshield is damaged or broken within (12) months of the replacement date, Glass Doctor will repair or replace the windshield glass only. This guarantee is a ONE TIME only offer and does not include; labor, kit, molding or clips.

Day 11 - Letters in our Name - Glass Doctor,  Glass Doctor that us. 11 Days to Christmas, can we help with the fuss? 

Day 10 - Custom cut mirror pieces to create the ideal mirrored wall 
If you are re-decorating a room, consider using mirror to add the illusion of expanded space. Glass Doctor of North Vancouver can stack shelving in the mirror to achieve a “floating” look. Glass Doctor of North Vancouver can cut mirror to your specifications, and they offer many custom mirror designs

Day 9 -  As in 984-4527 - Call us for a Service Quote Today

Day 8 - 8 Ways to Decorate with Glass Blocks this season - Check out our pins on pinterest for some fun idea's - http://www.pinterest.com/glassdoctornv/christmas-with-glass/


Day 7 - 24/7 Commercial Store-front Glass repair and Emergency Board Up Services - Glass Doctor of North Vancouver Emergency Service is offered for businesses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Emergency service includes boarding up exposed windows and doors after they have been damaged and taking measurements for replacement glass. If Glass Doctor of North Vancouver has the correct glass in stock, it can be cut to fit either at our shop or at your business with our mobile glass shop on wheels. Often, replacement glass can be delivered and installed within two days, depending upon availability.


Day 6 - 6 Steps to Customer Service. Visit us today and let us know how we do. - At Glass Doctor of North Vancouver we believe our measure of success is based on how the customer feels when our job is done. World-class service involves more than window glass repair or windshield replacement. It’s about helping people solve problems, saving energy and money while beautifying their homes, and investing in the future. We believe these small victories should be celebrated.

Day 5 - 5 Golden Smiles - come on in and you'll see just how jolly we are this time of year. No matter what your glass need, We Fix Your Panes!® at Glass Doctor of North Vancouver. Our courteous and professional technicians are fully trained to repair, replace, renovate and protect any glass in your home. 

Day 4 - Complete your 4 piece Bathroom - Glass Doctor of North Vancouver offers a wide variety of glass tub enclosures and shower doors from to fit any budget, from leading manufacturers such as Alumax, CRL and Cardinal. Whether you are looking for a basic framed shower door or an elaborate custom glass enclosure, the experts at Glass Doctor will guide you through the entire process, design, budget and installation. Most glass can be installed in a day. But don't leave the important details up to just anyone.
Day 3 - Triple Pane Windows - The most energy-efficient replacement windows on the market are triple-pane replacement windows with argon gas insulation (commonly called Insulated Glass Units or IGUs). Not all Energy Star labeled windows are created equal.  Call Glass Doctor of North Vancouver to make sure you are getting the most energy efficient windows possible. With the right purchase, your new windows will save you on your energy bills for years to come.

Day 2 - 2 Entry Doors - Many homeowners think that to quickly improve their homes’ resale value they should renovate the kitchen or the bathroom. But creating an inviting, functional entryway is a faster, less expensive way to add spice to your home.

Day 1 - 1 Windshield - Glass Doctor of North Vancouver can repair or replace your windshield and uses Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) quality glass.  Our glass technicians are government certified and our workmanship is guaranteed.  Whether your auto glass requirements, are a car window, back glass, new windshield, or simply a side mirror we have an extensive inventory and can offer same day service 99% of the time.  Besides a comprehensive auto glass inventory, we can service your truck glass needs, and over size rigs plus RV’s.

Creative Mirror Idea's for your Home

Custom mirrors are a Glass Doctor specialty! Our shops can cut mirror to your specifications, and they offer many custom mirror designs.
Although most of us have a pretty good idea on where to hang a mirror in our home, they're often times far more versatile than we initially think. They can be one the best tools in the small space owner's back pocket and our personal opinion is that you can never have too many!

1. Group Them Together: While larger mirrors can be quite pricey, many of us don't have the budget for such things. Smaller mirrors are found at discount or thrift stores quite easily and with a super small price tag on them. Paint their frames all the same color and group them on the wall in the same place. The look will be organized without feeling cluttered.

2. Behind The Stove: Although they're bound to get a little greasy or dirty eventually, it's not like mirrors don't clean up easily. Behind your stovetop is traditionally a rather dark area in your kitchen. A mirror will bounce any available light around, not only making it easier to see the meal you're preparing, but make it a more enjoyable place to stand.

3. Turn Them On Their Side: This trick works especially well when using longer skinny mirrors, try turning your mirror on its side. This trick works best with long skinny mirrors, but it makes any wall look longer instantly.

4. Cabinet Fronts: Although you can use this trick in other places of the home, the kitchen is the ideal location for this DIY project. Glue mirrored tiles to the front of your cabinet fronts to reflect the world around you. Maybe you'll just do the tops, or just the bottoms, but either way we think it's a curious technique, especially in small spaces!

5. Next To Your Dining Room Table: One of Maxwell's favorite places for a mirror is right next to the dining room table. Like you see in many restaurants around the world, this allows for softer lighting to be used, while still keeping the area light and bright. Think of it as mood lighting that still allows you to see your dinner plate!

6. Floor Length: Floor length mirrors are great ways to make any space feel taller. Their long shape draws the eye up and carrying it around the room, making any space feel lighter and brighter. Place them behind a grouping of furniture or out on their own.

7. Layer Them Up: Why have just one mirror when you can have several? By making an entire wall mirrored and then adding smaller, defined mirrors on top, not only are you creating a larger more open-feeling space, but you'll also be giving depth to the space without weighing things down.

8. Fake A Window: Although our dream small space is packed with windows, we know that's not really a reality for many. Instead, try using small square mirrors, tiled out to look like a window to give the illusion of what you wish was there, instead of what really is.

9. Beautiful Backsplashes: We keep coming back to the kitchen, but there's so many ways to use mirrors in this well used room. The backsplash is the perfect place for a little reflection. It will make any under counter lighting extra bright or allow you to go without such things and use the natural light throughout the room.

10. Fake Mirrored Furniture: Like covering your cabinets above, you can fake expensive designer prices and simply use a glass cutter and mirrored tile found at your hardware store. Although it's a more labor intensive option, the results can be quite amazing if you're starting with a piece that has good shape to it already.

Clearing the Fog

Your Glass Doctor can diagnose whether a fogged IGU window can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

IG units are windows made from two or more pieces of flat pane glass separated by a sealed air space. If your home already has double-pane windows, but there is condensation or a “milky” appearance between the panes of glass, Glass Doctor needs to diagnose whether or not we can repair the foggy windows or recommend replacing the windows. Glass Doctor can upgrade your existing IGU windows with new energy-efficient glass replacements.

Foggy windows cause your home to lose energy efficiency. If you have an older home subject to frequent temperature changes IG units can help balance the indoor climate. In the winter IG units reduce cold transmittance at windows and help maintain a consistent temperature in the home. In the summer IG units reduce heat gain from outside. As a result your home’s air conditioning and heating system should run less, saving energy and money. In general IG units may cost three times more than single pane glass windows. But that cost can be recovered in a few short years through lower energy bills.

Glass Doctor of North Vancouver can help you select the best IG units for your home’s climate, from a wide variety of manufacturers. Call 604-984-4527  for an appointment today.

Glass Doctor Supports Local Charity

Glass Doctor North Vancouver sees their commitment to this community as a long term relationship and like all excellent long term relationships, they recognize the need to give back. They not only talk the talk, but are also are walking the walk. In the past 12 months  Glass Doctor North Vancouver has donated a total of $4100.00 to North Shore Crisis Services Society. The NSCSS is a remarkable organization that helps woman and children in our very own neighborhood.  Their mission is "to promote a secure and abuse-free environment for woman and children."

In recognition of the support they receive from their valued customers, when you refer your family and friends to Glass Doctor North Vancouver they will make a donation to the North Shore Crisis Services Society. Check out their Referral Program Page or read below to find more information about how you can support the North Shore Crisis Services Society.

NORTH SHORE CRISIS SERVICES SOCIETY was founded in 1979, and has been operating a transition house and related support services since. They offer a variety of programs designed to encourage safe and healthy homes. NSCSS provides a variety of program services to adult women and children from the North Shore who have escaped or who are at risk of abuse, violence or threats. These services include Sage Transition House, Hope’s Place Program, The Outreach Services Program & Multicultural Outreach Services Program, and The Adolescent & Children’s Empowerment Program. 

SAGE Transition House is an 18-bed transition house that provides safety and support to women and their children fleeing abusive situations.  HOPE’s Place program is designed to provide transitional support and provides accommodation and ongoing support for up to fifteen months for women and their children who have left an abusive situation and have been referred by SAGE Transition House, another transition house or a community agency.  The Outreach Services Program (OSP) provides support and advocacy, assistance dealing with the family court and criminal justice systems, referrals to community resources, and assistance in accessing community agencies and related services as appropriate.  In addition, the Multicultural Outreach Services Program (MOS) provides culturally sensitive services to a diverse clientele with a focus on immigrant and refugee women.  Lastly, the Adolescent & Children’s Empowerment Program provides services for children between 3 & 18 years of age who have witnessed or experienced abuse, threats or violence in the home. 

OUR REFERRAL PROGRAM: read below to find more information about how you can support the North Shore Crisis Services Society. The donation amount will depend on the actions that you take.

A donation is as easy as making friends. If you become a friend or just simply “like” their business on Facebook Glass Doctor will make donation to the NSCSS. Glass Doctor would also enjoy having more of our friends following them on Twitter and in return they will make another donation for each new follower.

If you refer your friends and family for Glass Service, Glass Doctor will make another donation.

If you experienced excellent service and have a few minutes to spare, they would like to hear your comments on their Google Places site or on their Website Survey Page. Just by taking the time to make a comment or two, Glass Doctor will make a donation for every Google Places comment and for every Website Survey.

Each action that you take will add up and the funds will be directly donated to the NSCSS. We will keep you all posted on how this new referral program is doing and report our success on this blog.

Glass Doctor appreciates all the actions from their customers that will result in donations. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave your comments. 

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