Skip links

Member Login

Bendheim

Header Right

Main navigation

Menu
MyBendheim

Bendheim Turns Josef Frank’s Delicate Fabric Into Impervious Glass Backsplash in NYC Residence

by Leave a Comment

A Bendheim glass backsplash featuring Josef Frank’s fabric enlivens a reserved kitchen décor in a recently renovated New York City residence. Manhattan-based architecture and design studio Incorporated worked with Bendheim to turn a piece of delicate, translucent fabric designed by the famous architect into a durable and functional design element, taking the concept of decorative glass backsplash to a new aesthetic level.
Incorporated sought to use the fabric treasured by the homeowner as an integral part of the extensive renovation of the 4,700 square foot residence. Inserting this fine, decorative material behind the range creates an element of surprise and achieves an energizing juxtaposition with the understated kitchen décor, bringing the space in line with the apartment design’s vibrant character.
“It’s this delicate material; it shouldn’t be there—this place where it can get oily—yet it’s probably one of the more durable backsplashes we’ve done, because it has no joints,” said Drew Stuart, a partner at Incorporated.
The continuous, non-porous, naturally hygienic float glass surface, free of grout lines, makes this custom backsplash an exceptionally maintenance-friendly kitchen feature. Glass is easier to clean and maintain than most other kitchen backsplash materials. Tile requires homeowners to maintain grout joints; stone slabs can discolor over time; and stainless steel shows every speck of dirt and cooking oil.
“The fabric and glass combination is nearly infinitely customizable,” said Stuart. “There are only so many tile colors and stone options. Fabrics can be tailored to each individual and truly broaden the homeowner’s options.”
Bendheim laminated the fabric between ultra-clear, low-iron glass, and precision-fabricated the piece to exacting specifications, fulfilling Incorporated’s vision. While the elegant simplicity of the backsplash implies effortless design, Bendheim and Incorporated solved a number of challenges before the finished piece was ready for installation. Bendheim had to perfect the interlayer binding the fabric to the glass, and worked closely with Incorporated to select the precise motif from the large, repeat pattern to achieve the desired finished look.
Incorporated has collaborated with Bendheim on a number of custom design solutions. With many years of experience helping architects and designers turn their ideas into reality, Bendheim was the perfect partner for the project. The company’s fully vertically integrated fabrication provides in-house automated cutting, polishing, waterjet, tempering, lamination, and back-painting services. These capabilities ensure the finest quality and timely delivery.

Bendheim’s Magnetic Glass Marker Boards Featured in Sunset’s “Smart Homes”

by Leave a Comment

Bendheim’s Decorative Glass Magnetic Marker Boards provide a sleek alternative to conventional bulletin boards in Sunset Smart Homes, a mixed-use development in Palo Alto, Calif. The safety laminated glass is used as a writable wall cladding and a magnetic pin board in the Idea House, a showcase for energy-efficient, innovative, contemporary homes.

“Bendheim’s Magnetic Marker Boards complement the modern, urban aesthetic of the homes,” said Sarah Gaffney, Home Program Manager at Sunset Magazine. “Our editors loved the ‘idea’ quality of the product, an architectural alternative to corkboard bulletin boards.”
Bendheim’s two-by-three-foot Magnetic Glass Marker Board is featured in the kitchen area. Two additional three-by-six-foot boards are displayed in the home office on the closet sliding doors.
Bendheim’s functional, high-polish writing surfaces provide the benefit of durable, maintenance-friendly glass. Standard dry-erase markers and erasers make cleanup easy without ghosting or permanent staining. Powerful magnets allow a variety of materials, ranging from standard notes to brochures and heavy cards, to be elegantly “pinned” to the boards.
 “We loved how it looked, as did the visitors to the home,” added Gaffney. “They consistently provided the response we were looking for: ‘How cool is this! I’ve never seen this before.’”
Magnetic Marker Boards can be installed in frames for partitions and wall cladding applications; with stand-off hardware attachments; or applied directly to walls or other surfaces using structural silicone. Designers and contractors can select from single- or dual-sided formats of the Magnetic Marker Boards, the latter allowing for a distinct aesthetic on each side of the board, i.e., one side of the glass can be white, the opposite – black. The standard Marker Boards come in white / black colors and feature luminous fire-polished surfaces. Custom colors and decorative imprinted options are available for larger orders, providing design flexibility.
The boards are in 5/16” thickness and are available in sizes up to 60” by 96” to the trade only (architects, interior designers, building contractors).

Is Your Glass Safe (Kid & Pet-Friendly)?

by Leave a Comment

Types of Safety Glass, Where & Why You Might Need Them

However you incorporate glass into your home or office – from a small remodeling project to designing a new space – you can benefit from understanding what safety glass is and why and where it may be required.

While safety glass has many added benefits, it is primarily designed to resist breaking and, if it does break, to minimize the risk of injuries. Safety glass is available in tempered and laminated forms.

Tempered glass is approximately four times stronger than regular annealed (non-safety) glass of the same thickness. To temper glass, Bendheim first cuts it to size and fabricates all required holes and notches, such as the ones for hardware. Then, the glass edges are polished, if desired. The glass is transferred to a tempering furnace, heated to a precise softening point, and rapidly air-cooled. The resulting heat-treated / tempered glass breaks into small, relatively harmless dice-size pieces, greatly reducing the likelihood of a major injury.

Laminated glass is a combination of two or more glass sheets with one or more interlayers of plastic (PVB) or resin. In the case of breakage, the interlayer holds the glass fragments together, and its high strength prevents the glass from breaking into large sharp pieces. Laminated safety glass offers superior safety, security and sound transmission control. It prevents pass-through of objects and provides increased protection against fall-out and penetration of the opening.

Homeowners should consult their local building codes regarding the required use of safety glass, as they are constantly changing and can vary by state, county, city, town or borough. If you are working on a home construction project, make sure to contact your local building inspection department, office of planning and zoning, and department of permits to learn which codes are applicable in your area.

As a general rule of thumb, Bendheim strongly recommends tempered or laminated glass for all applications where safety and security are desired including but not limited to:

  • Glass doors and sidelites
  • Glass enclosures
  • Partitions
  • Glass shelves
  • Table tops
  • Glass surrounding bathtubs, showers, hot tubs, and saunas
  • All frameless glass installations
  • Under counter cabinets in homes with small children and/or pets

Bendheim also recommends the use of tempered glass in installations subject to high temperatures, such as kitchen countertops and backsplashes, as well as in shower and tub enclosures, unless required otherwise by your building code. In all other cases, the application will determine the choice of safety glass. For example, select tempered glass for stronger glass shelves, table and counter tops. For doors and sidelights, balconies and stairs, laminated glass is often selected for its ability to remain in the opening when broken and its resistance to smash and grab burglaries.

If you have questions about a specific DIY project you are working on, please make sure to follow applicable building codes and regulations, and contact your local building department first. Then, please visit our Cabinet Glass website and select the right safety option for your glass – tempered or laminated – the majority of our decorative glasses are available in either form.

Good luck on your project, and stay safe!

Bendheim Cabinet Glass + Custom Steel Inserts Transform Outdated Kitchen

by Leave a Comment

While the struggling economy puts pressure on home remodeling budgets throughout the country, it also fuels homeowners’ creativity. With the help of specialty glass provider Bendheim, DIY Network’s “I Hate My Kitchen!” show helped one couple renovate their outdated kitchen for under $16,000, as shown in the episode titled “Boring Gone Bold.”

This is the third time Bendheim has partnered with the DIY Network to supply glass for a dramatic home transformation in front of the camera. Changing the look of the old oak cabinets was a major part of this kitchen renovation. To achieve a modern, sophisticated aesthetic without breaking the bank, host James Young advised the homeowners to outfit the existing cabinets with new doors prepped to receive custom glass inserts. To enhance the new doors, Bendheim supplied European Clear Etched Cabinet Glass.
The glass features an ultra-smooth, satin-like surface highly resistant to stains and fingerprints, perfect for demanding applications such as kitchen cabinetry. Luxurious and stylish, the acid-etched glass was tempered for additional safety and is four times stronger than ordinary glass.
From a local metal shop, Young ordered intricately patterned custom steel inserts to complement the cool look of Bendheim’s Cabinet Glass. Installed in front of the glass panels, the steel inserts give a unique beveled glass look to the cabinet doors.
The rest of the budget-conscious makeover included the installation of new concrete countertops, stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting, and a textured glass backsplash.

Custom Kitchen Offers Elegance & Function for Work & Play

by Leave a Comment

Bendheim’s Color Coated Glass Energizes Classic Design

Bendheim’s Color Coated Glass backsplash is a key design element in the total kitchen renovation undertaken by the owners of a 1909 Colonial in Stamford, Conn. Gourmets and wine connoisseurs, the couple loves to cook and entertain. The new space had to be elegant and functional in order to meet the demands of their daily lifestyle.
A chef’s kitchen designed for fun and efficiency now takes the place of what had been a small galley-style kitchen. Walking into the expanded redesigned space, one’s gaze is drawn to the 10’ by 6’ green glass backsplash above the commercial size stove. The Color Coated Glass, custom made by Bendheim, features a tree-bark texture, enhancing the play between the pearlescent green color and light. As one walks past the backsplash, its green hue gently shifts to silver, contributing a sense of movement and luminosity to the space. The backsplash is a focal point of the kitchen, adding a splash of rich, shimmering color to its classic, straightforward design.
Bendheim offers its Color Coated Glass in a vast range of glass textures and an unlimited spectrum of colors. The custom options are virtually unlimited. Hygienic and attractive, Bendheim Color Coated Glass is ideal for backsplashes, countertops and tabletops. The tempered glass backsplash in the Stamford residence is four times stronger than regular annealed glass and is highly resistant to the heat generated by the kitchen range.
Beneath the shimmering glass background, sits customized Blue Star™ Pro-Style Range with six open burners and two ovens. Everything is well within reach for optimal productivity as meals are prepped on the 11-foot-long green granite top island. The far side of the island arches in a smooth curve to create a bar-style seating area for casual family meals or large informal dinner parties. A flat screen TV on the wall ensures that the baseball fan will never miss a game.
Ingredients, utensils and other culinary necessities are stored in abundant built-in cabinets, leaving the counters clutter-free. The pristine white color of the cabinets is in stark contrast to the walnut floors and espresso stained island base, stove hood and bar cabinetry. Recessed light fixtures, under-cabinet lighting and three pendant lamps, strategically positioned above the island, bathe the space in multiple layers of light.
This custom-designed epicurean heaven would not have been complete without a wet bar, equipped with a wine cooler, small refrigerator, ice-maker and an extra dishwasher. Two comfortable chairs set in front of a set of French doors promise the couple many peaceful evenings.
Homeowners interested in ordering Bendheim’s Color Coated Glass for backsplashes, kitchen and bathroom countertops and tabletops, can do so through their designers, contractors and professional installers.

Bendheim SatinTech® Glass Featured on DIY Network’s “BATHtastic!” TV Show

by Leave a Comment

Maintenance-Friendly, Elegant Etched Glass Enhances Bathroom Spa Makeover

The DIY Network’s show “BATHtastic!” turned to Bendheim for the second time to obtain specialty decorative glass for a dramatic, large-scale bathroom spa makeover.
The elegant satin-frosted aesthetic and maintenance-friendly surface of Bendheim’s SatinTech® architectural glass made it the ideal material for a new countertop and shelves, adding a touch of subtle luxury, modernizing the space, and enhancing its functionality. The episode is titled “Of Nerves and Nature.”
In the episode, a large outdated bathroom receives a major facelift featuring Bendheim’s ½” translucent etched glass countertop and shelves, precision-fabricated at the company’s New Jersey facility. Bendheim tempered the glass, making it four times stronger than regular non-safety glass of the same thickness. Unlike sandblasted or coated glasses, Bendheim’s SatinTech is acid-etched to produce an ultra-smooth satin-like surface which permanently resists stains and fingerprints.
“The glass will stand up to the test of time in this bathroom forever,” said the show’s host Matt Muenster.
The countertop’s and shelves’ satin surfaces complement the remodel’s nature-inspired, calming design featuring digitally printed basket-weave and pebble tiles, bubble-mosaic glass tiles, backlit circular mirrors, and contemporary rectangular sinks. The carefully coordinated design elements create a spa-like atmosphere.
Homeowners can order Bendheim’s SatinTech glass for complex custom installations, including bathroom and kitchen countertops, backsplashes, and tabletops through designers, contractors and professional installers. Patterned and fully etched glass door, cabinet and partition inserts can be ordered directly through the company’s Cabinet Glass website.