Repairing mirrors is not a job left to do-it-yourselfers. There are many things that can go wrong and many things that can sometimes be hazardous to do yourself.

In its most basic form, a mirror is glass with a silver backing protected by paint. The silver isn’t paint. It is pure elemental silver in a thin layer formed by a chemical reaction directly on the glass surface.

Already you can begin getting an idea of the complexity of repairing mirrors.

Let’s say you have an old, cherished mirror that needs to be re-silvered. In repairing mirrors like this, you first have to remove it from the frame. This can lead to more damage to the mirror or to a damaged frame.

If you have a scratch on the mirror and can feel it with your fingernail, you can’t remove it by hand. Repairing mirrors with this kind of scratch requires machine polishing which can distort the glass and mar the reflection.

If you decide on re-silvering your mirror yourself, you need to have a space large enough to do the work. Re-silvering a mirror is a wet process.

In fact, rather than repairing mirrors that need re-silvering on your own, experts recommend having a professional take on the job. The chemicals required for the process are hazardous and the outcome may not be what you want.

The most basic re-silvering kits can cost up to $150. So, if the mirror is really something you want to keep, consider hiring a professional who knows about repairing mirrors to do the work.

Some of the work of repairing mirrors can be handled by a good do-it-yourselfer. For example, if your mirror has scratches, you can spread a small amount of white toothpaste over the scratched area and wipe it off with a soft cloth. If this doesn’t work, take it to a professional.

Repairing mirrors that have cracked can also be handled by yourself. Buy a windshield repair kit with resin, a syringe, and glass cleaner. This can be a lengthy and complicated process with no guarantee of the results. If you take it to a professional, he or she will do the job correctly, with probably better results.

Antique mirrors often develop black spots in different places. Although you can try some of the home remedies found on the internet, they usually are time-consuming and a lot of work. It’s better to take them to a professional well-versed in repairing mirrors.

When you need a professional for repairing mirrors, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

The commercial applications of glass are many and varied. Bridges, canopies, walls, balustrades, and stair risers are just a few of the commercial applications of glass.

Glass is a timeless material that adds light and lightness to any design.

One example of the commercial applications of glass is the canopy. Any building can be made more attractive by adding a glass canopy. Some of the practical benefits of this kind of canopy include protection of people from the weather, allowing natural light into the building, and protecting the front doors from the weather. In addition, the commercial applications of glass in the form of a canopy can provide a clear sight line into the building.

Important to keep in mind is the fact that these canopies are exposed to wind and snow loads. This must be kept in mind when choosing the best kind of glass for this application.

Some of the benefits of the commercial applications of glass include:

Glass can be made either transparent or translucent and thus add beauty to the building.

Up to 80% of the natural light available can be transmitted by glass without yellowing or clouding.

Glass doesn’t rust or degrade gradually through exposure to the elements.

Glass can be made smooth so cleaning is easier.

Glass is available in a variety of colors.

Glass can be manipulated into various shapes to add both interest and beauty to any of the commercial applications of glass.

Glass is 100% recyclable.

Some of the drawbacks of the commercial applications of glass include:

            The production of glass is energy intensive. The end product thus becomes more expensive than other products.

            The chances of injury from broken glass are very high. Glass is a brittle product and does not require a tremendous amount of stress to cause it to break.

            Glass is less resistant to impact, making it of low capability to sustain a sudden load.

            Glass has a low R rating, making it a poor insulator.

            Using glass increases security costs.

In spite of the negatives, the commercial applications of glass remains a viable way to add to the value and beauty of your commercial project.

When you need glass for commercial applications, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

Glass used in commercial applications is often very different from the glass used in homes. While it has many of the same qualities for eye appeal, this glass in commercial applications also has stricter requirements for safety, for example.

Following are several different types of glass used in commercial applications.

Borosilicate glass. Possibly the most resilient glass used in commercial applications, borosilicate glass contains a great amount of silica, a much smaller amount of boric oxide, and very small amounts of alkalis, along with a tiny bit of aluminum oxide. This kind of glass used in commercial buildings is very resistant to thermal shock and a number of chemicals. This makes it a very popular glass for test tubes and other types of equipment used in labs. Its ability to take high temperatures makes it very useful in cooking applications.

Soda lime glass. Another type of glass used in commercial applications, soda lime glass is made of mostly sodium and calcium. Its main use is in windows because of its ability to let in lots of light. This type of glass is also durable and can withstand many chemicals. It’s a popular type of glass used in commercial applications to make jars. It doesn’t withstand heat as well as the borosilicate glass mentioned above. This kind of glass used in commercial applications is strong and often used in canopies, shop fronts, glass blocks, and railings.

Silica glass. This type of glass used in commercial applications is the most fragile. It is typically very thin and is used to make UV filters found in eyeglasses. It’s more expensive to make due to a high sand content. The melting point is much higher for the sand used in this kind of glass.

Tinted glass. Various chemicals are added to this kind of glass used in commercial applications to make it different colors.

Toughened glass. This kind of glass used in commercial applications breaks into small pieces. It’s typically used in fire resistant doors.

Laminated glass. Different layers sandwiched together make up this kind of glass used in commercial applications. It protects from UV radiation and insulates sound very well.

When you need glass for commercial applications, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

There are times you aren’t ready to replace windows, can’t afford to replace them, or just want something different and money-saving on your windows. Consider window tinting.

There are a number of benefits you can get from window tinting on your home. In some cases, window tinting can save you money, also.

One of the benefits is to block harmful UV rays from getting into your home. These are the rays from the sun that give you a sunburn and can damage your skin. They also damage furniture, carpet, and wooden floors. Blocking them with window tinting can prevent this damage and prolong the life of your furniture and floors. Consider this especially if you have large windows that let in a lot of the sun’s light.

Window tinting can also prevent sun damage to you and your family. You’re careful to wear sunscreen outdoors to block UV rays, why not do a similar thing indoors by installing window tinting?

Modern window tinting is thin and won’t block your view of the outside. This is another benefit of window tinting. You can see out but others can’t see in. This offers you a measure of protection for your family. Protection and privacy.

Good window tinting can also save you money on your heating and cooling bills. You won’t be running the air conditioner as much with tinted windows. They can prevent hot and cold spots in your home, reduce solar heating in the summer, and keep heat from escaping in the winter.

Window tinting can also increase the beauty of your home. It is available in the type you can put on your bathroom windows for complete privacy and in the type that has a reflective side to give your home a unique look.

In addition, there is window tinting that is thicker to prevent glass flying around your house if a window is broken. This is an added safety feature.

When you do want windows replaced or repaired, you may need someone who can make some suggestions. Whatever kind of window you have when you need repair or replacement, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

Nearly everyone has at least one mirror in their home today. But the history of mirrors shows how few people had them or could afford them in days gone by.

The history of mirrors begins with some person long ago happening upon a still pool of water and noticing their reflection in it. Possibly it took some time for this early person to realize what he or she was seeing, but soon they understood it was a reflection of themselves.

Some of the earliest mirrors were manufactured from polished stone as long as 6000 years ago. The history of mirrors shows these early ones to come from around modern-day Turkey. Similar mirrors were made in Central and South America about 2000 years ago.

Metal mirrors made their appearance in the history of mirrors in Mesopotamia around 4000 B.C. These mirrors were made from polished copper.

The Egyptians also made mirrors from polished metal about 3000 B.C.

The history of mirrors reveals the Chinese having made mirrors from polished metal around 2000 B.C. Mirrors made from copper and speculum tin may have been produced in China and India. Making mirrors from any speculum metal was difficult and thus expensive. Only the wealthy could afford them.

Metal-coated glass mirrors first made their appearance in the history of mirrors in the first century A.D. in the area around modern-day Lebanon.

In the early Renaissance, the history of mirrors shows the process for coating glass with a tin-mercury amalgam was developed in Europe. Venice in the 16^th Century was famous for its glass making production and became well-known for producing quality mirrors. By the middle of the 17^th Century, London and Paris were the chief mirror making locations, according to the history of mirrors.

The history of mirrors indicates the silvering process, coating a glass surface with metallic silver, was invented by a German chemist in 1835. This was the forerunner of the modern process of mirror making and resulted in mirrors being available for many more people because of cost. Today, mirrors are made with a thin coating of aluminum or silver behind glass.

When you need a mirror repaired, you may need someone who can make some suggestions. Whatever kind of mirror you have when you need repair or replacement, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

The art and science of glass making has been around for more than 5,000 years, and the use of stained glass dates back to the third or fourth century A.D. The 12^th century saw the most use of stained glass because of the rise of Gothic cathedrals.

Today, only about 10% of the stained glass in use is in churches. The rest is used in business and home applications. Most of the time, stained glass is used in windows, but it is now being used in lamp shades, ornaments, and in many hobby uses.

Stained glass begins in the same way any kind of glass does. Silica, potash or soda, and lime or lead oxide are fused together. To make stained glass, some kind of metallic oxide is added to these materials.

Copper oxide can add ruby, blue, or green colors depending on conditions. Cobalt produces most shades of blue. Chromium and iron oxide are used to make green shades. Uranium, titanium, or cadmium sulfide can produce gold colors.

The method for making stained glass is the same now as it was in the Middle Ages. The glass in leaded glass windows is made by first catching up a lump of molten glass at the end of a blow pipe. It is then blown out into a cylinder, cut off the blow pipe, flattened, and cooled.

One of the variations of this process, called flash glass, is made by dipping the lump of molten white glass into molten colored glass. When this is blown, cut, and flattened, it produces stained glass with a less intense color due to the white backing.

Another kind of glass that can be used in stained glass is called “Norman slabs.” In making this kind of glass, the molten glass is blown into the shape of a four-sided bottle. The sides are then cut into slabs that are thin at the edges and may be a quarter inch thick in the middle.

Cathedral glass is rolled out into flat sheets that are very regular in texture and thickness. Marine antique glass is similar but has a more bubbly texture.

All of these kinds of stained glass can be used to make beautiful windows or other things that are both good at letting in light and in evoking emotions through the stories they can tell.

When you consider decorating with stained glass, you may need someone who can make some suggestions. Whatever kind of glass you have when you need repair or replacement, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

Making your home more livable the way you want it can be done by decorating with mirrors. This isn’t often considered when thinking about decorating but is a sure-fire way to jazz up any room.

In many cases, mirrors are just the thing you need to make your home complete. When you start decorating with mirrors, you’ll discover they’re just something you need to have.

Not only are mirrors functional, giving you a way to check your appearance before leaving the house, they’re also distinctive, giving you something not many of your friends will have as decorative pieces.

Decorating with mirrors is a perfect way to open up your rooms, making them look larger than they are. When you’re decorating with mirrors and use your creativity, they can become show-stoppers in your home.

When you’re decorating with mirrors, don’t restrict your choices to the old standby shapes or sizes. Be bold.

Certainly there are places for the standard oval and rectangular mirrors, but don’t overlook the unusual. Find the ones that are larger or have starburst frames around them or catch the eye with color.

Gallery wall displays are perfect places for decorating with mirrors. Add mirrors every so often in these displays to add visual interest.

In your home office or den, decorating with mirrors can showcase any art you have on the walls. If you have a lot of framed diplomas or photos with the same frames, placing an unusually shaped mirror will add visual interest to the entire wall.

When you decorate with mirrors, don’t forget to use large size mirrors also. Leaning this kind of mirror against the wall with a nice frame around it can provide a stunning piece for any room.

If you have limited outdoor space, hanging a mirror on a wall or divider can visually expand your space. This is an often forgotten way of decorating with mirrors.

When you consider decorating with mirrors, you may find a need for new mirror glass. Whatever kind of glass you have when you need repair or replacement, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

Glass making has been around since before 2500 B.C. At first, it was considered an art and very few could do it well. That made glass very valuable, and those who could engage in glass making very sought-after professionals.

Today, glass is common, and the process of glass making is now an industry.

Silica sand, also called quartz sand, is the primary ingredient in glass making. Sand without any iron impurities is sought after for making clear glass. The iron content in the sand would give any glass a greenish tint.

Once the silica sand is available, the next step in glass making is to heat the sand to 3090 degrees Fahrenheit. This incredible temperature literally melts the sand.

When the melted sand cools, it doesn’t return to the gritty substance you started with. Instead, it goes through a total transformation and becomes a product with a completely different internal structure. Regardless of how much the sand is cooled in glass making, it never becomes a solid.

Instead, it’s somewhere between a solid and a liquid. Scientists call it an amorphous solid.

In commercial glass making, the sand is mixed with recycled glass, soda ash, and limestone. The soda ash lowers the melting point of sand and saves energy, but this kind of glass would literally melt in water. This brings in the importance of limestone in glass making. It prevents the melting of the glass in water. Thus, the typical glass around you every day is soda-lime-silica glass.

In glass making today, the melted sand is poured into molds to make bottles and other containers. Or, if it is to be made into sheets of glass, it is floated on top of a large vat of molten tin to make the flat sheets like those used in windows.

For unique shapes in glass making, the glass makers can wrap a lump of melted sand around a long hollow tube and blow into the tube, making any unique shape they want. This kind of glass making, called glass blowing, is a skill that has to be learned and practiced.

Other kinds of glass can be made by adding other products to the molten sand. Oven proof glass is made by adding boron oxide to the mix. Lead oxide makes a glass that is easily cut. Stained glass is made by adding different metals to the melted sand.

Whatever kind of glass you have when you need repair or replacement, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

The history of showers began with native people bathing under existing waterfalls. This was much more efficient than carrying fresh water to a container of some kind for bathing, then carrying the waste water away.

Some peoples in the history of showers would pour containers of water over themselves after washing to rinse off. This often involved cold water and likely was something that took a lot of getting used to.

Early Egyptians and Mesopotamians of the upper classes had private shower rooms where servants would bathe them. Even in these instances, water was carried into the rooms and not pumped in.

In the history of showers, the early Greeks were the first to have what would be considered actual showers. Their water systems allowed for pumping of water into and away from large communal showers used by all classes of people.

The first mechanical shower in the history of showers was both progress and not a great deal of improvement. A hand pump forced water into a container above the person’s head. Then a chain could be pulled, releasing water down onto the person. Unfortunately, there was no system for heating the water, so only cold water was used. Also unfortunately, the same water was re-circulated through each time.

The history of showers showed some improvement in showers around 1850 when a reliable flow of fresh water became available. In the 1870s, more modern showers were installed in the barracks of the French army.

Around the same time, a French prison installed showers for the prisoners, including hot water. This could have been the first time in the history of showers that hot water was available for showers.

Before long, other facilities in France were using showers as well.

The mid-nineteenth century saw middle class homes having rooms set aside as bath rooms. The history of showers saw another great leap forward with the invention of the water heater, first in 1868 as gas powered, then in 1889 as electric powered.

Today, the history of showers shows nearly every home with a separate bath room with shower.

Whether you shower or bathe in a tub or both in your home, when you need a replacement for a shower door, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.

There’s nothing quite like coming into a room and seeing everything bathed in beautiful outside light. But those windows that let in that light seem to get dirty overnight. So, here are some things you need to know about cleaning windows.

First of all, there is some discussion among people who know about these things regarding which is better to use: newspaper or dry, lint-free cloths when cleaning windows. There are advocates for both, but one thing they all agree on is don’t use paper towels to clean your windows.

One particular aspect of cleaning windows is clear. You need the right tools, whether you use cloths or newspaper. For clear and streak-free windows using a squeegee seems to be best. This allows you to get right to the edges of the windows and by overlapping the swipes across the windows you get streak-free cleaning. Be sure you wipe the squeegee clean every time you swipe it across the glass. You can then use the newspaper or cloths to wipe up the excess water on the very edges of the windows to pick up any drips that may have been left behind. Be sure you wipe down the window sill afterward, also.

Of course, you’ll need a bucket to hold water and whatever soap or cleaner you use to clean your windows. The bucket should have a wide enough mouth to accept the squeegee you use.

Most people will ask, “What is the best soap to use?” Dawn dishwashing detergent works very well.

Many people suggest using vinegar when cleaning windows. It’s non-toxic and antibacterial and won’t hurt surfaces. Vinegar is acidic and will break down any film that has formed on the window. In addition, it won’t hurt your kids if they get in on the action.

A dry, cloudy day is better for cleaning windows. If you decide to clean when the sun’s out, the cleaner can dry too fast, leaving you with streaks that can be hard to remove.

Dust the sills and sashes before you clean. You’ll be left with a muddy mess if you don’t do this and the cleaning solution drips on the sills.

Be sure to use enough cleaner. You want to be sure to loosen dirt and film so it can be wiped away.

Whether you use newspaper or cloths when cleaning windows in your home, when you need a replacement for a window, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.