Keeping Up with the Jones’s

Decorative Glass Provides Limitless Opportunities

By Jeff Williams

We truly are living in a Golden Age of residential construction. From state-of-the-art construction materials to the excellent architectural designs, engineering and construction methods we utilize—today’s homes are the most beautiful, energy efficient and relatively affordable in the history of the industry. However, some of us have not yet decided to buy that brand new state-of-the-art home, and we are constantly looking for ways to make our current one stay fresh and relevant amid the neighborhood. I believe one way to do this is by paying attention to fashion, style and architectural trends. In so doing, home-owners can constantly generate new ideas about upgrading and freshening old products and, in the process, remain current in a changing market. Decorative door glass inserts are one of those industry-standard opportunities that have stood the test of time, by changing with evolving tastes and trends to remain as relevant today as decades ago.

One of the most visible and relatively easy opportunities for restyling homes includes entry doors. However, exterior doors—especially if manufactured from fiberglass or other composite materials—will literally last decades before needing replacement. For this reason, one means for giving a home that “new look” includes adding a fresh coat of paint to its doors. The trend is toward bright or pastel designer colors, as well as a new decorative glass insert.

This is a very easy and low-tech project for the DIY-minded home-owner and therefore an opportunity for dealers. Decorative glass inserts typically are held in place with a number of screws that penetrate from the inside (for security reasons), so they can be removed before painting the door. Homeowners then only need to install their new insert and the entire project is complete—all in a Saturday afternoon.

In the meantime, the selection of decorative glass inserts today is truly mind boggling. There are many shapes, such as round, oval, square and rectangle, and there are virtually limitless selections of glass types, including clear, colored, beveled, frosted and more. There are also dozens of colors to match a home’s architectural hardware.

So, the next time one of your customers needs a new look for their home, suggest decorative glass, and they’ll be met with endless, exciting combinations.

At World Millwork Alliance, you will have the opportunity to meet and dis-cuss these thoughts and others with the best minds in the business. Consider joining us in 2019, at our 55th Annual Convention and Tradeshow in beautiful, historic Reno, Nev., “The Biggest Little City in the World.”

Jeff Williams is the senior corporate millwork purchasing agent for OrePac Building Products and treasurer of the World Millwork Alliance.

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