AM-PM Glass and Mirror

Glass Prices Increase

2011-07-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

As of July 1st glass manufactures implemented drastic increase to the price of flat glass and mirror. Most flat glass including clear, tinted, tempered, and laminated. In addition, an 18% silvering surcharge was added to mirrors.

Cardinal 10 Shower Door Glass Protection Option

2011-05-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

Cardinal 10 Surface Protection
Repels water, soap scum & grime from your shower enclosure for 10 or more years.

Ten Year Warranty
Care Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
Warranty Registration
Cardinal 10 Surface Protection is a glass protection system that repels both water (hydrophobic) and oils (oleophobic). Chemical bonding (Covalent bonding) takes place between Cardinal 10 and the glass surface, not molecular bonding (Hydrogen bonding), as in other glass coatings. This creates a near permanent bond that can only be removed by abrasion and removal of the top layer of glass. Cardinal 10 is resistant to UV degradation. Exposure to UV rays does not cause a film to form, nor does it cause a breakdown in the coating.

Scientifically Tested
Accelerated testing, performed to duplicate the effects of continuous cleaning and UV exposure of the coated surface for a 10 year period, concluded there was no noticeable degradation of the water and oil repelling properties of Cardinal 10. The coated surface should continue to perform well after the 10 year warranty period.

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Ten Year Warranty
The manufacturer warrants that the Cardinal 10 Surface Protection will remain water repellent for a period of ten years from the date of the receipt provided by your installer.

Conditions
Cardinal 10 Surface Protection must be maintained as per manufacturer’s instructions to validate and maintain the warranty.
If, within the warranty period, you feel that your glass is no longer easy to clean, please send an email to warranty@cardinalshower.com and provide a brief explanation of the problem along with your name, address, telephone number and date of installation.
If it is determined that an area that has been treated has not remained water repellent, Cardinal Shower Enclosures will gladly provide replacement Cardinal 10 Surface Protection in an amount determined to be adequate to re-coat the area.
Cardinal Shower Enclosures reserves the right to inspect the glass in order to determine that the product has been maintained in a manner consistent with the manufacturers’ instructions.
NOTE: Visible streaking or swirling patterns may appear on the glass when the glass is steamed up. This is a normal occurrence and does not affect the performance of the surface protection. It is not visible when the shower is dry and not in use.

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Care Instructions
Congratulations, the cleaning and maintaining of your shower has become much easier.

After each use a simple swipe of a squeegee will help maintain that brand new look.
The glass needs to be cleaned every few weeks using a damp microfiber cloth and a mild detergent or soap to remove soap scum and grime from the glass.
If you prefer, a general glass cleaner and a cloth are also suitable.
The need to use harsh cleansers or toxic chemicals is no longer necessary to maintain the pristine appearance of your glass.
When cleaning your treated glass be careful not to use any rough, gritty, highly acidic or abrasive cleaners that may remove the surface of the glass and damage the coating, therefore voiding the warranty.
For areas with hard water, due to a higher concentrate of mineral deposits such as lime and calcium, a build up may occur on the protective coating and not be easily removed with a mild detergent. A solution of white vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 5 parts water), will need to be used occasionally to dissolve these deposits.
Approved Cleaners
The manufacturer has tested and approved the following products as preferred cleaners for Cardinal 10 Surface Protection:

Windex
Lysol 4in1 Bathroom Cleaner
Fantastic Orange Action
Green Works Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner
Clean Shower Daily Shower Cleaner
Mixture of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water

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Frequently Asked Questions
When I'm taking a shower, I can see a pattern on the glass. What's that about?
Visible streaking or swirling patterns may appear on the glass when the glass is steamed up. This is a normal occurrence and does not affect the performance of the surface protection. It is not visible when the shower is dry and not in use.

What is the best way to clean my shower screen once it has been treated?
A mild detergent with a sponge works well. A micro fiber mitt/cloth with water works just as well and saves you money on cleaners. You can buy these in the cleaning isle of your supermarket.

How often do I clean the shower glass?
Every two weeks to keep the glass looking like new.

Will the coating crack, peel or discolor over time?
No the coating is only 2 molecules thick and is invisible. There is nothing that will crack or discolor over time. It is unlike a lacquer or varnish.

Will coating gradually wash off with each use?
No the product is practically permanent. It is unlike some products that are silicone based and wear off over a period of time.

Does the coating get attacked by chemicals?
No. The only way to remove the coating is by removing molecules of glass, such as scratching the glass or using a rough, gritty or abrasive cleaner. You can still use your harsh toxic cleaners, but why would you?

Will the surface become patchy if the coating is worn off in any way?
No. The coating is only two molecules thick and transparent, thus it does not change the appearance of the surface. If an abrasive was to be used, it would not be visible that where it was worn away. That area would, however, be harder to clean.

How long will the coating last?
Accelerated testing was performed to simulate cleaning the treated surface for a 10 year period. The results revealed that after this time there were minimal or no change to the molecules structure.

2011-03-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Vandals were caught on video breaking windows at a commerical property in West Houston. Little did they know the they wouldn't be able to get into the building threw these windows becuase they were made of laminated polycarbonate, bullet resistance material.

How Best To Clean Glass

2010-10-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

800 SW Jackson Street, Suite 1500 Topeka, KS 66612-1200
(785) 271-0208 Fax: (785) 271-0166
www.glasswebsite.com
Mirror Informational Bulletin GANA MD 01-0105
Proper Procedures for Cleaning Flat Glass Mirrors
Mirrors provide both functional and aesthetic performance in the interior design for today’s homes, office buildings, schools, medical and institutional facilities. In addition to the function of providing reflected images, mirrors are being use to move natural light further into buildings and enhance the openness of rooms. Proper cleaning procedures must be followed to ensure the long-term performance of mirrors.
Care and Cleaning of Mirrors
Many people are unaware of how to properly care for and clean the mirrors in their homes and offices. Many cleaning products make claims to be the best for mirrors. The truth is the care and cleaning of mirrors is simple and inexpensive. Care should always be taken to avoid getting the edges of the mirror wet with any liquid or substance. This can result in damage to the mirror edges, commonly called “black edge”. Should mirror edges become wet, they should be dried off immediately.
The following are recommendations from manufacturers of quality mirrors:
 The very best and safest cleaner for a mirror is clean, warm water used with a soft, lint-free cloth. Wring all water from the cloth before wiping the mirror. Dry the mirror immediately with a dry lint-free cloth.
 Don’t use acid or alkali cleaners for mirror cleanup after installation. Either substance can attack the front surface and edges as well as the backing of the mirror. No abrasive cleaners should ever be used on any mirror surface.
 Don’t spray cleaners directly on the mirror. Always apply cleaner directly to a soft, lint-free cloth and then wipe the mirror. This will help prevent the cleaner from contacting the edges of the mirror and damaging them.
 Don’t clean across the face of multiple mirrors at the same time. When cleaning several mirrors installed on a wall, wipe the joints in the same direction as the joints. This will keep the cleaner from collecting in the area where the mirrors join.
 Don’t use commercial mirror cleaners that contain ammonia or vinegar.
800 SW Jackson Street, Suite 1500 Topeka, KS 66612-1200
(785) 271-0208 Fax: (785) 271-0166
www.glasswebsite.com
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 Do use 0000 oil-free steel wool, not solvents, to remove surface marks or stubborn dirt. Use of solvents can attack and damage the edges and backing of mirrors.
 Do use soft, lint and grit free cloths to clean a mirror. This reduces the chances of scratching the mirror surface.
 The last step to cleaning a mirror is to make sure all joints and edges are dry so that no liquid or cleaner comes into contact with the edges and backing.
Transparent Mirror Products
Transparent / two way mirror products allow vision through one direction while giving the appearance of a standard mirror on the opposite side. These applications typically expose the coated surface to the mirrored room. With the exception of the 0000 oil-free steel wool procedures, the cleaning procedures provided above also apply to cleaning the coated glass surface. In addition, extreme care must be taken to ensure that no hard objects such as rings or metal surfaces of cleaning equipment contact the coated surface. Permanent damage to the coated surface may result from improper cleaning procedures.
Construction Site Conditions
Mirror products must be protected during construction site storage and installation. Mirrors should be stored in a dry, well ventilated area, free of chemical fumes and away from high heat sources such as steam or water pipes. Exposure to excessive moisture or harmful construction materials can result in hard to remove surface conditions. Mirrors should be the last materials to be installed. Sprayed material such as wall texture or adhesives for wall covering should be completely cured before mirror installation. If conditions are found that mirrors cannot be cleaned using the above procedures, contact the mirror supplier for guidelines for construction debris removal.
Failure to properly clean mirrors can result in damage to the mirrored surface and deterioration of the optical quality of the mirror reflectance.
GANA Provides Additional Information
Members of the Mirror Division of the Glass Association of North America (GANA) encourage, home owners, construction trades, general contractors, building owners and facility maintenance staff to be aware of proper cleaning procedures for mirrors and conditions that can adversely affect long-term performance.
Additional information on mirror products and applications are available on website of the Mirror Division (www.mirrorlink.org) and official website of the Glass Association of North America (www.glasswebsite.com).
The Mirror Division of the Glass Association of North America (GANA) has produced this Mirror Informational Bulletin solely to provide general information as to the proper procedures for cleaning mirror products. The Bulletin does not purport to state that any one particular type cleaning process or procedure should be used in all applications or even in any specific
800 SW Jackson Street, Suite 1500 Topeka, KS 66612-1200
(785) 271-0208 Fax: (785) 271-0166
www.glasswebsite.com
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application. The user of this Bulletin has the responsibility to ensure the cleaning procedures from the mirror supplier are followed. GANA disclaims any responsibility for any specific results related to the use of this Bulletin, for any errors or omissions contained in the Bulletin, and for any liability for loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of this Bulletin.
This bulletin was developed by the GANA Mirror Division – Technical Committee and approved by the Mirror Division membership and the GANA Board of Directors. This is the original version of the document as approved and published in January 2005.

Digital Communicators for Transaction Hardware From CRL

2010-10-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

Thru-Glass Two-Way Digital Electronic Communicators Provide Clear, Reliable, Hands-Free Two-Way Conversation CRL’s Thru-Glass Two-Way Digital Electronic Communicators contain the latest advancements in electronic sound transmission devices.
Standard units fit barriers from ¼” (6 mm) to 4” (102 mm) thick, and bullet resistant models are available up to Level 3. CRL’s Transaction Hardware Brand Manager, John Bower explains, “CRL Thru-Glass Two-Way Digital Electronic Communicators allow clear, distortion-free two-way conversations through secure barriers.

Because they utilize digital electronics, the units sense sound levels and automatically increase volume when speech begins.

The user friendly, multi-function controls turn the Communicator on and off, set it to mute or activate the ‘auto-mute’ mode, and adjust the volume. In an industry first, a full-duplex mode is available for certain applications, allowing persons on either side of the barrier to speak at the same time without cutting in and out.” Model choices include standard or bullet-resistant 120V AC Plug-In Transformer Models and 12V DC Rechargeable Battery Powered models.

The absence of exterior screws or fasteners makes them tamper-resistant. Three headset styles and many other accessories are available from CRL.

All units are supplied with mounting hardware and instructions to fit ¼” to 1” (6 to 25 mm) thick barrier glass and up to a 4” (102mm) barrier when using the extension screw kit.

Standard finishes are satin or black anodized. Bower concludes, “These digital communicators are ideal for service windows at facilities such as drive-through restaurants, banks, stadiums, gas stations or other applications where security is important, but clear communications with a customer is paramount.

They can also be used with our new Plug-In Boom Microphones and Plug-in Headsets, which provide excellent sound quality, and also with our Wireless Headsets that have a range of up to 300 ft (91.4m).

CRL continues to provide a broad range of transaction and security hardware for the secure transfer of cash and merchandise.

Our newest Communicators as well as other products can be seen in our Transaction and Security Hardware Catalog in print form and online at crlaurence.com.”

C.R. Laurence Co., Inc. is a leading supplier to the glazing, railing, architectural, construction, industrial, and automotive industries. Offering more than 50,000 products, the company serves the industry from 25 locations throughout North America, Europe, and Australia.

For additional information, contact CRL at (800) 421-6144 in the United States and Canada, or (323) 588-1281 from outside the United States and Canada, or visit the company’s web site at crlaurence.com.
footnote
-crlaurence.com

Cleaning Your Frameless Shower Glass

2010-10-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

Maintaining Your Glass
For best results, Cardinal Shower Enclosures should be cleaned with a squeegee or towel after exposure to water.

Cardinal Armor Care and Maintenance
Follow these steps to keep your Cardinal Armored shower enclosure in top condition:

Shower enclosures can be maintained spotless by wiping off the few remaining drops with a dry towel after each use
Neglected residue can be cleaned with the Cardinal Armor Wash or a damp micro-fiber towel
Using the Cardinal Armor Wash every other week will enhance and prolong Cardinal Armor’s protection perpetually
NEVER USE HARSH CHEMICALS, such as ammonia, abrasive or acid-based cleaners, as they may break down Cardinal Armor’s chemical protection and void your warranty
-cardinalshower.com

Low E Glass

2009-08-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass has a thin coating, often of metal, on the glass within its airspace that reflects thermal radiation or inhibits its emission reducing heat transfer through the glass. A basic low-e coating allows solar radiation to pass through into a room. Thus, the coating helps to reduce heat loss but allows the room to be warmed by direct sunshine. The low-e coating is usually on surface #3; if solar control is required then the coated surface is moved to surface #2 to reflect or absorb solar radiation. The change in location of the coating does not affect the insulating properties of the IGU, only the percentage of solar heat gain. Further solar radiation control can be added through the use of tinted glass and/or metallic coatings^[7]. Low-e glass reflects the radiation rather than absorbing it improving performance compared to the glass in a simple greenhouse. Its effect can be noticed by an increase in temperature of the inside glass surface and the reduction of condensation that would normally form on the unit because of a change in the dew point.

There are two types of low-e coatings available, "hard-coat" and "soft-coat". Hard-coat glass is manufactured by applying molten tin to the glass surface as the glass sheets are being manufactured. The tin bonds to the surface of the glass and forms a relatively thick coating. Hard-coat glass is considered a medium performance coating since the emissivity is greater compared to the soft-coat product. The advantage of hard-coat glass is that it does not require special handling in the IGU assembly process to maintain the surface's coating integrity and does not scratch easily. It does require that the glass surface in contact with the spacer be abraded to improve adhesion of the sealant. Soft-coat glass uses vacuum deposition to apply a thin metallic coating to the glass surface as an additional manufacturing step. The coating is fragile compared to hard coat glass, requiring special handling and storage for both the manufacturing process and IGU fabrication. Choosing a soft-coat glass over a hard-coat glass improves thermal performance of the IGU by about 13%.^[8] Most low-emissivity glass sold for IGU manufacturing is of the hard-coat type.^{[citation needed]}

AM-PM Glass & Mirror

2009-08-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

AM-PM Glass & Mirror is a well-established window glass and mirror replacement company serving all of metropolitan Houston. We are Houston’s leading supplier of window glass, frameless shower systems, custom mirrors, commercial storefront glass and doors, glass table tops, and much more. Whether you have a broken window in your home or business or you’re looking to remodel your bathroom with a new frameless shower, let our knowledgeable customer representatives and professional technicians solve your glass needs. AM-PM Glass & Mirror provides solutions to metro-Houston’s residential and commercial glazing needs. We know you work hard for your home and business and with over 35 years in the glazing industry our professional technicians have the experience to provide you with the quality you expect. Our courteous and knowledgeable customer service representatives will provide you with all the information you need to schedule construction on your business storefront, remodel your bathroom with a frameless shower enclosure, or just fix a broken window or glass table top.

We pride ourselves on our flexible schedule and ability to work early in the morning or late in the evenings. If your 9-5 schedule makes it impossible to be home during normal business hours ask about our flexible schedule.

AM-PM Glass & Mirror

832-704-4758