Products / Services

NEWSFLASH: We live in the north.

Temperatures spike to 35°C in the summer, and hurtle down to -35°C in the winter. And of course we all know that glass conducts heat easily. That's why we put handles on glass mugs. As such, using a single pane of glass as a window just doesn't cut it here (unless of course you live in the smelter).

The most practical, energy efficient solution to this is to use insulated glass panels, aka 'thermal panes', 'twindows', or 'sealed units'.



In its most basic configuration, an insulated glass panel consists of two panes of plain glass separated by a spacer and sealed air tight. Variations are available, as shown in the options list below, but the basic configuration remains the same. The glass is resistant to the elements, and the spacer keeps the heat from flowing from one pane to the other. Simple, but quite effective.

A single pane of glass has an R-Value of about 0.2. A basic insulated unit R-Value is about 1.6. Optional upgrades can increase the R-Value significantly. Argon gas increases it by 1 point. Low-E coated glass increases it another point.

We stock many different types, tints, patterns and thicknesses of glass. From 2mm glass for picture frames, all the way up to 6mm glass for commercial storefronts, tabletops and small shelves.

We often have in stock a half dozen different patterns for use in cabinet doors and sealed units, and we carry bronze and grey tinted glass in 2 thicknesses.

Mirrors are also tucked away in our massive warehouse. We have 4' x 8' sheets of 3mm mirror, and heavier grade 5mm mirror in 8' x 11' sheets.

If you're in need of safety glass, we've got you covered. We can cut laminated glass to order, and order tempered glass to suit.

Last in our vitreous repertoire is fire glass - we stock 3mm and 5mm ceramic glass for fireplaces, and 6mm GPW and GCW glass for fire rated applications. See the Fire Glass page for more info.

Yes. We cut glass.

We can cut french curves, circles, ovals, rounded rectangles, trapezoids and even a rhombus or two. We can cut holes in sizes ranging from 1/8" up to 4". We can even make cut-outs for light fixtures, electrical outlets, mail slots, speak-throughs, etc. Send us a drawing by email or fax, or bring in a sketch and we'll tell you if its possible. And if it isn't possible we'll just get Richard to make it.

As for the edges of the glass, we have the equipment here to provide a hand arriss, machine arriss or a pencil edge polish ( the round pencils, not the hexagonal ones). If you don't mind the wait time, we can order in a number of specialty edges including various bevels and polishes.

We can also cut your own glass. We just can't guarantee it. Old glass has a despicable tendency to break in unpredictable ways, and sometimes they can get away from us.

To begin with, let's settle the naming issue.

Plexiglas® and Lexan® are trademarked brand names (belonging to Roehm & Hass and GE Plastics, respectively). Each belongs to a different family of plastics, Plexiglas being an acrylic and Lexan being a polycarbonate. They are quite different materials, and each has pros and cons.

As such, we're going to give each its own section to explain their strengths and weaknesses.

Plexiglas ® - aka Acrylic, Lucite, Perspex and Polymethyl methacrylate

When compared to glass, plexi is generally described as more optically clear ( none of the green tint commonly seen in glass ), more impact resistant (about 10 times tougher) and it weighs about half as much as glass does. It's also quite easy to bend using a little heat, and cut edges can be polished easily. Using the right product, small scratches can be polished out of a plexiglas sheet. Pieces can also be glued together using cyanoacrylate cement (superglue).

Plexi is used in architectural glazing, large aquariums, and in many kinds of heat-formed items (furniture, store displays, curved windows in aircraft). It is considered a safer alternative to common glass in high risk areas, such as the 'glass' around hockey rinks. It is also commonly used in the sign industry. Plexiglas powder is also used as a dispersant for ceramic powders to stabilize colloidal suspensions in non-aqueous mediums. I have no idea what that means, but it sounds important.

Cons - Plexi scratches. It can be chipped or cracked if dropped or hit hard enough. It's more expensive than glass, and has a tendency to build up a static charge which attracts dust. Under the right conditions (or the wrong conditions, depending on your perspective) Plexiglas will burn.

Lexan ® - aka Makrolon, Makroclear and Polycarbonate

Lexan is a step up in safety from plexiglas. It's more impact resistant than common glass or plexi (about 30 times tougher than glass) and almost as optically clear as plexiglas. While a touch heavier than plexi, it is still lighter than glass. Thermoforming Lexan is a bit harder, but it is much easier to cut and drill, and with the right equipment it can be formed at room temperature just like metal. It doesn't crack or chip easily. Lexan is actually marketed as 'Virtually Unbreakable.'

Lexan is used in places where impact resistance is critical. Items such as safety lenses, police riot shields and visors, instrument panels and headlamp lenses. A lot of bullet proof glass is actually very thick Lexan. Lexan is also commonly used for plastic drink bottles and CDs / DVDs.

Cons - Lexan scratches. Very easily. It's also more expensive than plexi or glass. Except for specially formulated UV resistant varieties, Lexan will yellow over time. Under high heat conditions, Lexan will melt

There are a number of diffent types of fire rated and fire resistant glass on the market today. They are divided into two categories: fire rated glass for use in doors and windows which must meet fire code guidelines, and fire resistant glass for use in high-heat applications like fireplaces and intense spotlight lenses.

Naturally we carry a small selection of each. I suppose we wouldn't have this particular category on our website otherwise.

Our fire-resistant glass comes in two varieties: Neoceram® and Pyroceram®. Both are transparent ceramic materials which are able to withstand temperatures in excess of 650°C (1200°F) for extended periods.

Pyroceram® measures approx. 1/8" or 3mm thick with very little tint or color. It is commonly used in commercial ovens, gas fireplaces, and outdoor lighting.

Neoceram® is a more robust 3/16" or 5mm thick, and has a yellowish-amber tint. It is ideally suited for use in fireplaces and wood stoves where the flame is less than seven inches from the glass.

Fire rated glass is one aspect of a building's fire control system. It's function is to contain fire and smoke, to delay or even prevent it spreading from one area of a building to another.

Ordinary plate glass can't withstand high temperatures. It usually breaks at around 120°C (250°F). Even tempered glass will break at approx. 260°C (500°F). In order to attain a fire rating, glass must withstand temperatures on the order of 870°C (1600°F) for a proscribed period of time (minimum 45 minutes in Canada, 20 minutes in the USA - Thanks to ML for this correction) and still remain in its frame. The glass is allowed to crack, provided it can still function as a barrier to smoke and flames. Georgian Wire glass is one such item.

This particular glass is available in two varieties: Georgian Polished Wire (GPW) and Georgian Cast Wire (GCW). GCW is an obscure glass - you can't readily see details through it, but you can make out vague shapes and it does transmit some light. GPW is basically GCW which has been ground smooth and clear allowing excellent transmission of light and a clear view. Both types have a mesh of steel wire embedded within. It is this wire that holds the glass together when it fails at high temperatures.

Both types are commonly found in schools, public stairwells, fire-escapes and interior entrances to garages or parking structures.

A bathroom remodel is a huge undertaking. Many hours go into the planning and implementation of even a modest refit. But even with the nicest amenities, countertops, cabinets and tiles, a bathroom won't look its best without the final touch - a custom glass shower.

A properly implemented glass shower enclosure adds a great deal of luxury. The lustrous green shimmer of the exposed glass edges frames it in light. Broad panes of glass serve to focus the eye on the shower beyond, highlighting and showcasing the tilework within. And the high quality finishes match existing fixtures beautifully, bringing the entire room together.

Most jobs start with a quote from one of our estimators. They'll arrange a time to go to the site, take measurements and photos, and consult with the owner/tenant/site supervisor. They will then follow up with a quote by phone, fax or email to the appropriate party. If the go-ahead order is received, materials will be fabricated from the original measurements and the order will be passed to the road crews for scheduling.

This procedure allows us to arrive at the site fully prepared with all the materials we need (in most cases). It also allows us to work year round with minimal disruption due to cold weather.

Please note: If the job site is a significant distance from our shop (Hagar, Espanola, Noelville, etc) you might have to either wait until we have a number of orders in the area, or pay for a site call to get an immediate quote.

Most importantly, we have lots of knowledge and experience. Here you'll find a small collection of information you might need to know, but are unlikely to find elsewhere (at least in an understandable format).

And of course, if you need advice and can't find the answer here, feel free to give us a call or come in for a visit. Can't hurt to check back here every now and again. This section is bound to grow over time.

Please forgive me for not offering you a hot beverage.

Or more accurately, for not offering an opportunity to partake of our font of knowledge. If you have any questions about glass in general and can't find the answer here, please feel free to send an email to webmaster@cosmosglass.ca and I shall do my utmost to answer in a timely manner.