These Decorative Glass Fabricators and Installers Face Challenges and Overcome them Together

by Katie Hodge

In any partnership, an ideal working relationship includes consistent communication, collaboration and reliability. When it comes to the relationship between decorative glass suppliers-whether artist or fabricator-these qualities are critical. Successful installation of these unique products hinges on the ability of both to rely on each other for direction, advice and key information.

Many in the field agree that this relationship is a necessary collaboration that produces the desired project.

The Chain of Communication

Many fabricators and contract glaziers agree there are some companies with which they work and trust with almost any project. Most importantly, this often leads to business referrals. For example, the relationship contract glazier Glass Solutions Inc. in Elmhurst, Ill., has with decorative glass fabricator Skyline Design in Chicago is a collaboration that has proven to be beneficial for both.

“We’ve actually … gone together to do presentations to architects or if an architect or contractor asks us, ‘What do you recommend?’ we would, in turn, recommend a Skyline [product],” says Greg Ring, vice president of Glass Solutions Inc.

The decorative glass fabricator often plays a key part in the way the project is installed. In some cases, the glazier relies on the fabricator’s product knowledge in order to complete the installation properly. Matters such as delivery, product handling, cleaning, adhesive and other material requirements need to be addressed and usually the decorative glass fabricator is in possession of this crucial information.

“[Our involvement] really continues because we need to follow up and make sure the materials get there … correctly and in one piece,” says Ian Patlin, vice president and managing partner of Paragon Architectural Products LLC in Scottsdale, Ariz. “We make sure that the glazier has all the know-how to stage the materials, un-package them and then start installing them.” Patlin continues, “On some jobs we have even gone as far as to send supervision for the installation. That’s more for the point-supported structural glass systems or decorative glass floors … something that is very, very technical.”

From the contract glazier’s perspective, Ring says it’s important to work closely with the fabricators. “We try to work with them a lot on solving problems regarding scheduling and design issues. We try to get them all the information they need so they can do their job and so we can get the end users their material faster,” says Ring.

In some cases, the relationship is a collaborative one, but in other instances the fabricator simply passes the project on to the installation expert.

“We do consult in certain cases, however, for the most part the glazier is the technician and ultimately responsible for the project so we generally look to them for direction,” says Charles Rizzo, president of Skyline Design. “We ultimately work for the glazier and respect their knowledgebase and know-how.”

Challenges Abound

The challenges faced by decorative glass fabricators and glazing contractors are as varied as the projects they’re servicing. That’s one reason why open communication is so important.
Norris Barriger, vice president of operations for Architectural Glass Art in Louisville, Ky., emphasizes the challenges of communication. “Don’t make any assumptions because you are going to assume somebody understands your product when they really don’t,” he says. “Some glazing contractors do and some don’t. This is also true of the people they sell to, the architects and designers as well.”

“The more technical the product and the more technical the installation the [more questions] glaziers will have,” Patlin says. “Typically, glass floors, point-supported structural glass systems and a lot of the decorative interior products require a lot of questions and answers. A lot of glaziers are just getting into the more technical and more decorative stuff.”

When it comes to the installation, there are many details that can present challenges for decorative glass products. In these cases, it is important that the glazing contractor has maintained good communication with the fabricator so when the installation phase begins the glazier has all the information needed about the product.

For Ring, back-painted decorative glass is one of his larger challenges. “You’ve got to make sure that nothing behind the back-painted surface-shadows or anything of that nature-is going to show through, especially when you get into lighter colors,” says Ring. “Shadows and shading behind the back-painted surface could create an effect through the glass that you don’t want.”

While the contract glazier may have his hands full in situating this tricky product, there’s also the question of how it interacts with fasteners. “If the glass has to be glued to the wall you have to be aware of the adhesives you might use and how they are going to react with whatever substrates are on the glass, whether it’s baked on, painted on, etched or tinted,” Ring says.

“Probably the most challenging things for us are sculptural pieces. We use decorative glass or decorative glass elements in our [architectural] sculptures, and they are always challenging just because of access and suspension points and that sort of thing,” says Barriger.

Transporting the Product

As fragile and sensitive as decorative glass is, the transportation of the product certainly should not be taken lightly. Companies must have a system of packing and transporting that protects the product and seeks to prevent any breakage or accidents. Both decorative glass fabricators and installers take great pride in the fact that they have managed to create very reliable and safe systems for transporting their fragile products. In fact, Rizzo says, “Shipping is easy.”

He adds, “We handle and crate all glass like we would fine furniture and ship all over the world. There are seldom breaks in the field or in shipping. If there are, we work together [with the installer] as a team to resolve it in a fast and decisive way to make sure the client is satisfied.”

The actual packaging of the product should be precise and repetitive according to Patlin. He says, “We try to minimize any issues and we have been doing quite good at it and, for the most part, the people in our industry are pretty knowledgeable on how to do that. We pack our crates in a very redundant manner and we give consideration to the freight lanes and where it has to go. We give careful consideration to the packing and the transportation in an obvious effort to minimize any issues and to also look at the best way to get it there time-wise and cost-wise because of the rising expenses of packing and shipping.”

While breakage is an important shipping consideration, on-time delivery is another. As a contract glazier, Ring says he has learned that “if [a supplier] says it’s a two- to three- week-lead time, tell the customer it’s three to four and cross your fingers. Always add a week to lead times, because inevitably if there’s a problem you’ve at least bought yourself a week.” Ring goes on to say, “The more custom the glass, the longer it’s going to take to get it. Allow time and communicate to your contractor-and you’ve got to do it over and over-especially in writing-how long it’s going to take to get one of these custom products.”

Problem Solving

Even the most reliable systems of production and transportation have hiccups. It’s inevitable that someday a customer will receive a product that they are unsatisfied with. Just like in any other industry, the companies within the glass industry strive to maintain positive relationships with their customers. Patlin says, “We look to the future and want to maintain good relationships. In some situations you just bite the bullet in order to make the customer happy.”

As problems differ, so does where the blame will fall. If damage was incurred during installation, “then most likely we would replace the product, but possibly a back-charge would be issued against the party responsible for damage,” says Ring. He adds, “Should we damage the material through our mishandling, we of course would handle all necessary replacement work at our expense.”

Although problems can occur, it is rare for fabricators and glazing contractors that work to maintain a system that protects their products.

Finishing Touches

Despite these challenges, the industry is full of professionals who are experts at the art of fabrication and installation. In many instances the fabricators and glaziers embrace these challenges and learn from their experiences. Whatever obstacles may be faced, it is assured that the decorative glass fabricator and glazing contractor can and will work together to produce the best possible product for their client.

Katie Hodge is an assistant editor for DG magazine.