http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/Glassblog has moved. Please visit us at our <a href="http://www.glassmagazine.com/glassblog">new address</a> to read recent posts and join the ongoing glassblog discussion. See you there!ennoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:20:59 PDTBlogger http://www.blogger.com167125http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/use-technology-best-practices-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sahely Mukerji)Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:34:07 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-5017286714529639828 A panel of experts talked about Keys to Enhancing productivity at the 4th Annual ENR-CURT Construction Business Forum, June 15-16, at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Va. Paul Goodrum, associate professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Kentucky, College of Engineering, Lexington, Ky.; Albert Schwarzkopf, senior project engineer, Merck &amp; Co. Whitehouse Station, N.J.; Jim2http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/requirements-for-blast-resistant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:27:34 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-2014452509435894077Are you considering jumping into the fray to receive some of the trickle-down recovery money? Perhaps you’re considering a project that requires blast-resistant glazing. If so, it's important to know what to expect, as many architect design teams have hired blast consultants to review submittals in detail. The stickiness of the submittal process really depends on who is looking at the submittals 0http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-time-to-get-on-bim-train.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katy Devlin)Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:10:39 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-9207413493129280876My first introduction to Building Information Modeling was way back in 2006 at the first annual Glazing Executives Forum during GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window &amp; Door Expo. Patrick MacLeamy from HOK gave a luncheon presentation to a group of contract glaziers saying that BIM was coming, fast—and boy was he right.The number of firms that have obtained BIM software has doubled between 2006 0http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/weighing-opportunities.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David W. Walker)Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:28:07 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-1782382712688340096I was struck last week by a member of the industry, with whom I chatted on a conference call. He remarked he'd just heard for the first time about an important piece of legislation that I thought "everyone" knew about. The bill offers potential rewards to those prepared to capitalize on it, and could be a short-term "game-changer" once it passes.The experience got me to thinking about the word 0http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-nfrc-uses-u-factors-for-windows.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Fri, 28 May 2010 09:39:27 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-7594353516450891463Recently, I’ve seen a number of articles, blogs and online discussions regarding U-factor and R-value, especially with regard to fenestration products. It’s time for NFRC to set the record straight on this important issue.NFRC recognizes only U-factors for energy ratings for important technical reasons, consumer reasons and legal reasons.This is not a simple issue. From a technical perspective, 11http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/05/mental-game.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Mon, 24 May 2010 12:05:42 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-7473027109190705022You’ve probably heard that “a 1000-mile journey begins with a single step.” This is true. Just as true is the fact that “the journey continues with a single step.” In previous blogs I stated that I am training to run 56 miles on my 56th birthday. Also stated were potential conflicts/obstacles that could interrupt my training.During my training every time an obstacle has appeared, I have been 2http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/05/you-get-what-you-pay-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jenni Chase)Tue, 18 May 2010 05:28:53 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-89708000609323620512009 was a tough year for contract glaziers. Of the companies that made this year’s Top 50 Glaziers and provided exact sales figures for 2008 and 2009, 55 percent reported a decrease in sales volume. Glaziers cited decreased backlogs and increased competition among the reasons for the slide. Some described a bidding environment in which general contractors were “shopping numbers,” looking for the5http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/05/representation-without-taxation_10.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Mon, 10 May 2010 10:58:22 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-8164166142224521555A Census Bureau person was on the news saying that, if conservatives don't participate in the census (due to their presumed anti-government sentiment), then they will be under-represented for the next 10 years in Congress, school funding, highway funding, etc. But really, everyone feels like "their position" is under-represented, whether they are liberal or conservative. We all believe that most 8http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/05/avoid-delays-on-recovery-funded_03.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Tue, 04 May 2010 13:12:58 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-5094872184630375624The glass and glazing industry is starting to see the trickle-down of government recovery money, but it is not without a price. These projects are tagged with important features that glaziers will do well to be aware of. Most of the projects are for Department of Defense installations or GSA, and have blast resistance requirements.A significant percentage of the recovery money ends up in the 0http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/04/support-solar-manufacturing-tax.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sahely Mukerji)Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:59:30 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-4978538713045441047Solar panels have opened up a booming market for glass and glazing professionals. Most big names in the industry have entered the niche. Just in the recent past, Solutia, St. Louis, agreed to acquire Etimex Solar; the Dow Chemical Co. picked Midland, Mich., as the site for the first full-scale facility for its Dow Powerhouse Solar shingles; Cardinal Solar Technologies, part of Cardinal Glass 2http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-decision-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:39:12 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-1943284796062776986The first quarter has ended. Let’s review our goals. You are either on track to achieve your goal(s) for the year or you are not on track. So what are you going to do about it?If you are on track, you run the risk of taking your success for granted. You begin to think it’s easy to reach your goals and this can lead to complacency. You have worked hard so far this year. You have been doing the 1http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/03/watch-those-e-mails.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katy Devlin)Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:50:28 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-8520389422308761913E-mail is easy. Too easy. Richard Kelson, Esq., Babst, Calland, Clements &amp; Zomnir P.C., Pittsburgh, says careless or casual e-mails can open companies up to problems if a legal dispute arises. Kelson spoke March 29 during the last day of the BEC Conference at Paris Las Vegas, hosted by the Glass Association of North America, Topeka, Kan.Kelson emphasized to the audience of glaziers and suppliers 0http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/03/collectively-facing-dangers-out-there.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katy Devlin)Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:35:20 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-5870469760307226065Lions and tigers and bears? That’s nothing. The glass industry’s got codes and standards, and emissions regulations. Oh my.The major threat to the glass industry right now, according to some presenters and industry officials here at Glass Week in Las Vegas, isn’t the economy, but proposed codes and standards, and emissions regulations or legislation. The economy, and construction industry, will 1http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/03/will-new-jobs-bill-drive-hires-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sahely Mukerji)Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:51:07 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-2492980372116335809Last week, President Obama signed an $18 billion jobs bill to spur hiring by giving tax breaks to small businesses. The bill also includes $20 billion for highway and transit programs.The bill was passed March 17 on a bipartisan 68-29 vote, according to an AP report. The new measure would exempt businesses hiring unemployed from the 6.2 percent Social Security payroll tax through December and 4http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/03/staying-strong-in-weak-market.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jenni Chase)Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:19:50 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-7989554958035977343Like you, I’m not immune to the seeming barrage of discouraging news regarding the construction industry out there. And frankly, sometimes I find it hard to see beyond the negative headlines. So, in an effort to brighten my outlook, I recently contacted several industry executives whose companies are doing well in this tough economy. Perhaps not surprisingly, some common strategies emerged as I 1http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/03/running-red-queens-race-in-washington.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David W. Walker)Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:45:04 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-1944677099027421529Official Washington leaves much to be desired these days.Here we have the presidency, the House and the Senate all in the hands of the same party, and yet we have a classic case of legislative gridlock. We're even starting to see progressive senators jumping ship, including Indiana's Evan Bayh, who cited partisan bickering and a disturbing lack of progress for his decision to retire.Frankly, it's0http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/02/discussing-double-glazing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sahely Mukerji)Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:36:46 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-4247903273886125828I got an e-mail the other day from a Mr. J.E. Swain, and he asked two questions:1. "Why is the double-glazing industry producing 20-millimeter space partially filled argon gas units? Considering argon gas optimum gap between glass panes is 14 mm with a maximum of 16 mm, any wider, the gas reduces the efficiency and durability by approximately 35 percent, and why partially filled instead of full 3http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/02/goal-checkup-how-are-you-progressing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:11:41 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-1752455387435562472In my last blog we covered the basics of goal setting: 1) set the goal, 2) develop a plan, 3) keep the goal and plan in front of you, 4) focus on the reward for accomplishing it.By now, you have either done nothing toward achieving your goal, have started but lost confidence in achieving your goal, or are making progress toward reaching the goal. Regardless of which stage you are in, it is most 1http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/02/serving-changing-architectural.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katy Devlin)Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:43:22 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-5700913497696984215The architectural community has struggled through this recession. Faced with two years of declining business, firms have downsized, cut services and, for many, closed. According to a Jan. 20 New York Times article, employment at architectural firms nationwide was 184,600 in November, down almost 18 percent from its peak of 224,500 in July 2008. And in a recent AIA survey, 18.8 percent of 0http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/02/grow-glass.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:04:44 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-2054608929732719646All the news on the economy trending toward the negative can wear you and your co-workers down. The construction and our glass industry have been down. All companies have made changes and adjustments.There are small signs of rebounding segments in the economy. It’s time to turn our mindsets, energies and strategies to the positive. The glass industry saw unprecedented growth during the last 3http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/02/has-domestic-glass-production-reached.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jenni Chase)Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:22:02 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-8268705069589212090I honestly didn’t know what to think when I learned last year that the bid to supply blast-resistant glass for the new World Trade Center tower went to a Chinese company. On the one hand, I’m all for cost savings, provided the product or service is high quality. On the other, I identified with PPG spokesman Jack Maurer when he said in a Patriot-News interview: "This is going to be an iconic U.S. 10http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/02/commitment-ignites-action.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:06:46 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-1409956756317289565It's easy to remain committed when times are good. Everyone's busy, days and weeks run together as we go about our business, and we do the things we planned to do and are expected to do. Others do what they're supposed to do, just as we expect them to. Contracts are honored, customers pay, you pay your vendors, and everything trickles down and steamrolls ahead like it is supposed to. Sure, some 4http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/01/e-networking-is-next-best-to-face-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:48:31 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-6491584325628073995—Matt Rumbaugh, division manager, Education, Training and Certification, National Glass AssociationAre you on Twitter? How about Facebook? Even if you're not, you probably know people that are. Technologies that people had barely heard of two years ago are now major factors in how they communicate, how they advertise, and how they learn.In my role here at the NGA, I spend a lot of time thinking 0http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/01/dont-get-stung-by-new-epa-requirements.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Katy Devlin)Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:16:37 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-3853699951771920426 Do you perform residential glass and window applications? Or install products at child care facilities? If so, it’s time to get up to speed on new lead paint requirements coming from the Environmental Protection Agency.Starting in April, any contractor completing work in pre-1978 homes must follow the new procedures. Not doing so could result in fines up to $37,500 per day, per violation. Some 1http://glassmagazine.blogspot.com/2010/01/set-goal-turn-it-into-plan-then.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Guest glassbloggers)Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:40:38 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169400500671596968.post-5091342138201731241Let’s focus on goals. The theme of this and succeeding blogs will focus on goals, goal setting, and goal achieving.We have just begun a new calendar year. If you have not set one or more goals for this year, do it now. Several clichés come to mind: if you don’t have a target, you can’t hit it; you can’t take a journey without a map. They go on and on. Suffice it to say that goals are mandatory, 3