Compiled is a list of some commonly asked questions as well as resources for more information about our products.
Our shop has some samples of glass and hardware. We can also show you some pictures or direct you to online resources. If there is anything in particular you would like to see, please request that our estimator bring it at the time of measure. Specialty glass samples will likely need to be ordered. We've attempted to compile pictures of glass types available on our pinterest page. That's a good place to start.
Please refer to the map below. We will sometimes go outside of this area, so don't hesitate to inquire.
Low-iron glass is optically more clear than standard clear glass due to the low iron content. Clear glass will have a higher level of iron in the silica used to make it. This creates a greenish tint in the finished product. Different manufacturers have their own special formula & trademarked names like Starphire, Crystal Clear, OptiWhite or UltraClear. The one thing they all have in common is the low amount of iron in their raw materials. This extra refining increases the cost of the glass.
Most people will not notice the difference unless it is pointed out to them. For many applications clear glass is perfectly adequate. Where budget is the biggest concern, clear is the way to go. You might consider low-iron in certain cases. If visual cohesiveness is important such as in an all white bathroom or one with special tile, low-iron might be worth the added cost. The green tint is also more obvious when viewing the edges of glass, in thicker glass or satin & patterned glass. Most people will not pay attention to glass edges. The green tint is also more apparent on beveled glass or mirrors when viewing the bevel at certain angles. Again, most people will not notice that either. We use low-iron glass as standard practice for back-painted glass because clear will alter the final color. It is up to you to decide if the clarity is worth the extra expense. We have samples available to help your decision.
Accuracy. We need to make sure the product type, sizes and quantities all line up with what you've requested. Getting everything in writing allows you to double check what we've priced out. It will protect you from under-budgeting a job if there's a discrepancy. We will be bound to uphold written pricing for 30 days. Verbal quotes carry no obligation.
It can prevent delays to ordering as well. If you were to receive a quote over the phone, we would have to figure out who you talked to and what they have a record of quoting, then write it up before you can order.
Written quotes allow you to compare bids. We are transparent with our bids and always outline the materials to be used.
It may not even be possible to give you a quote over the phone. There are very few things we can quote off the top of our head. We will probably need to run some calculations or get quotes from our suppliers. It takes time. Be patient with us.
No. Problems of insurance, quality assurance, guarantees, warranties and so forth make it impractical. We have tried to arrange for installation a few times and it didn’t work out. Sorry.
Our physical glass shop is located at 1035 Murray Street in Berkeley, California. Walk ins are welcome. In the event of a pandemic, please schedule ahead. Click here to see a map and view our opening hours.
No, we don’t. Glass blocks aren’t as common as they once were. We haven’t been able to find a supplier. There are a lot of great alternatives, like stacked glass.
We supply glass awnings only.
Yes, bring in your frame and we will cut it to size. Call ahead if you need it same day to ensure stock.
Yes, kind of. Sometimes we get glass in that wasn’t fabricated correctly. Often it gets returned to the manufacturer, but we usually have quite a few pieces hanging around. They won't be perfect. Almost everything is tempered, so it can’t be altered. The majority of what we have is 3/8″ clear tempered glass for showers. We will give you a deal on it, but call ahead to schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to keep it out of the landfill (architectural glass isn’t recyclable.)
Yes, we will cut your glass and mirror. We can't guarantee it won't break in the process though. We promise to be careful, but things happen. Not all glass can be cut, like tempered or double pane glass. We typically charge $10 per cut, but complicated cuts may cost more. We don't offer this as a walk in service, but we can usually turn it around in a day.
Yes, we are a retailer. As with our installations, everything is custom made just for you. That means we don't have a shop to browse or any standard offerings you can walk in and buy. Everything is sold in the typical manner of building supplies, unpackaged and not sparkling clean. Please bring moving blankets, etcetera to protect your items during transport. We recommend delivery on larger items. We have glass racks on our vehicles and use suction cups to securely carry items and prevent damage.
Yes, we will deliver within our service area. We offer standard curbside delivery. For curbside, be prepared to meet the driver at the truck and have enough people to move your item to its desired location. We also offer white glove delivery service. We will place and clean your item for you. Please make sure you request white glove service at the time of ordering to ensure we send enough people and schedule enough time. Fees apply.
We will also ship items. Glass will need to be crated for an additional cost. In the lower 48, showers typically cost $500-$600 to ship, plus crateing.
No, all shower glass must be tempered for safety. Tempered glass cutting is not possible due to it's structure. It will shatter.
We stand behind our work. If an issue arises within one year, we will fix it at no cost to you.* After that we may charge a maintenance fee. If we did not install your enclosure, we will not perform repairs or maintenance. This is standard practice for most glass companies. You will have better luck finding a handyperson. We may be able to find replacement parts for you.
If it is a frameless enclosure, we carry a lot of parts and should be able to order most anything. We carry a wide selection of replacement vinyl seals and sweeps for frameless doors. Framed enclosures are almost impossible to track down parts for. You will need to know the manufacturer of your door. The manufacturer is not the same as the tempering plant logo imprinted on the glass. We won’t be able to get a replacement part without this information unless we did the installation and can look up your order. If the framed enclosure is 10-20 years old, it is unlikely the manufacturer still carries the parts.
Yes, we do. This is a cost effective solution for rental properties and house flips. It is also what we recommend for DIY projects. The lead time can be a little shorter as well. Please visit our suppliers’ websites to see available styles:
HMI Glass
Wardrobe & Bath Specialties
Contractor’s Wardrobe
The short answer is no. However, there is a give and take as to how frameless you can get. If you want a double slider, where both sides can slide open, you will need both a header and a bottom sill. There is no way around that. However, you may be able to get away with no side jambs or clear side jambs. If you only need one side to slide and the other side can be a fixed panel, you have more options. You won’t need side jambs at all. You will have the option to go headerless or go without a bottom threshold. If you opt to forgo the header there will still be a bottom door guide and vice versa. Using a header in favor of foregoing the bottom sill is generally preferred for tub enclosures. Folding shower doors are a great alternative to consider.
Yes, but you are solely responsible for measurements. If it doesn’t fit, we are not responsible. We do not provide consultations. Please do your research on how to measure for showers. Frameless showers are much more difficult to install with everything lining up properly.
That’s a trick question. There is no such thing as a standard door, even over a 60″ tub. There are hundreds of configurations and styles. We need a lot of details to provide an accurate quote. The best way to go about it is to schedule a free measure. If your project isn’t ready yet and you just need an idea of the cost, be prepared to answer lots of questions. We never give quotes over the phone. If you are hesitant about it, don’t worry. We don’t have an aggressive approach to sales. We have never emailed advertisements. We very rarely follow up on our quotes. We believe in being responsive, not aggressive.
There are springs inside the hinges and pivots that close the door to 90 degrees. If the door is open more than about 20 degrees it stays open. The door swings both ways unless a vinyl strike is applied.
The top of the shower glass or header should be at least 6″ above the bottom of the shower head.
Yes, but it is best if you back up the fiberglass with some 2×4’s. If that is not possible and the fiberglass is not very sturdy, then you can use a header across the top and pivots, instead of hinges. This keeps the weight of the door off the walls.
Pulp Studio: Highly Custom Specialty Glass Supplier
C R Laurence: Hardware Supplier (Main)
HMI Glass: Specialty Shower Glass & Hardware
Portals Hardware: Luxury Shower Hardware
Jockimo: Decorative Custom Architectural Glass
Q-Railing USA: Glass railings, baluster railings and wall railings
Showerguard: Specialty glass built to withstand dirt, soap and hard water buildup that affects ordinary glass
Alward Construction: Berkeley Construction firm
Jetton: Berkeley construction firm
McCutcheon: Construction firm
Phase 2 Builders: Construction firm
Riaz Inc: many of their photographs feature glass from Wilson Glass
West Berkeley Design Loop: wide range of home improvement resources and contractors
.png)
