Glass with Class

Is a bathroom update on your list of remodeling projects?

Present the challenge to a bathroom designer and many options surface. A tinted mirror backsplash adds sparkle and gleam; new windows bring light and openness to the room; seamless wall mirrors visually double the room's size; and how about a frameless glass shower enclosure for drama and sizzle?

Urban Home caught up with Georgia Droppelman, president of Custom Glass Works, a family owned and operated glass specialty company in Charlotte, for her thoughts on bathroom glass design trends. Custom Glass Works offers both commercial and residential services. In business for over 10 years, they are known for their customer service, competitive pricing and creative problem solving.

"No doubt, there are many options homeowners can choose from when updating their bathroom with new cabinets, tile and lighting," said Droppelman. "But increasingly, top interior designers are using mirrors and designer glass in bathrooms to add an air of sophistication and elegance. No longer are they seen as utilitarian, but now, an important design component to pull off a spa-like look in the space."

Droppelman and her design team routinely travel the country looking for new treatments and design ideas from industry pros.

"I recently traveled to the national Glass Build America Show in Atlanta," said Droppelman. "I was amazed at the fresh designs in glass and new products like polymeric resins--a protective barrier that keeps glass looking new while preventing unsightly water mineral buildup."

With regards to remodeling, she learned that it isn't always necessary to spend a lot of money to get dramatic results.

Droppelman explains, "Concentrate on a focal point in the room, such as the shower doors. Changing to a 1/2 thick, frameless doors with fresh hardware can really update the look of a bathroom."

Bathrooms are personal places to rest, rejuvenate, and refresh; we all long for that "spa-like" feeling. But aside from the pampering aspects of bathroom improvements, upgrades add marketable value to a home, new or old. Expert's report that about 80-85 percent spent on bathroom remodeling will be recouped when you sell your home.

"We have all the latest options in mirrored walls and shower enclosures," said Droppelman. "There are dozens of options with shower glass types between colored glass, etched, frosted, or crackled glass. Customized designs can be applied to one side of the glass and is seen from both sides." She added that textured glass, for example, is created by embossing a pattern onto molten glass.

Visit Custom Glass Works' showroom at 5009 W. W.T. Harris Blvd # D, off I-77. You can call them at 704-597-9758 or visit them on line at www.customglassofnc.com