Not All Dichroic Glass Is Created Equal…Here Are the Right Questions to Be Asking

Safety. Appearance. Longevity. Value. When you ask the right questions, you can learn everything you need to know about dichroic glass.

Not sure where to start? Here are nine key questions:

1. How do you make your dichroic glass?

The dichroic glass effect is usually achieved in one of two ways:

• Laminating a color-changing film to a glass sheet.
• Creating dichroic glass in a metal deposition chamber.

The latter is considered true dichroic glass. The former is a way to make standard glass have the dichroic effect.

If you’re interested in having the highest quality, most durable product, you’ll want to opt for the dichroic glass created in that metal deposition chamber. Because this is a multimillion-dollar piece of machinery, not every glass manufacturer has access to one.

If longevity is a key point for your glass project, you’ll want to prioritize manufacturers who have or can access this kind of equipment. Specifically ask the manufacturer you’re considering if that’s the case for them.

2. Is your dichroic glass laminated?

Laminated dichroic glass is common and a more cost-effective solution than true dichroic glass, but it’s not without its issues.

When using laminated film of inferior quality, you can run up against any number of problems:

• Visually noticeable ripples within the laminate
• Complete or partial delamination over time
• Immediate laminate failure after installation
• Irregular color streaking within the laminate

Depending on your project, how long you need it to be visually impeccable, and budget, you’ll have to decide whether laminated dichroic glass is a viable option for you or not.

3. What sizes of dichroic glass are available?

This is a critical question because it will help you determine if that glass manufacturer can accommodate your specific project.

For example, many glass manufacturers offer dichroic glass, but very few provide it in large sizes.

When you work with TCG Glass, its DichroGlass™ comes in these maximum sizes:

Laminated options are available up to 144 inches by 96 inches in glass 3/8 inch thick.

Annealed options are also available up to a maximum of 144 inches by 96 inches in glass 3/16 inch thick.

4. Does your dichroic glass meet all safety requirements?

When it comes to any architectural glass product, safety must be your number one concern. From many different standpoints (liability, finances, ethics), safely designed, manufactured, and installed glass is a nonnegotiable.

Make sure the glass manufacturer you’re considering can adequately express how their glass complies with or exceeds all necessary safety requirements.

DichroGlass™ from TCG meets these local, national, and international requirements for their annealed, laminated, and tempered options.

5. What kind of warranty is provided with your dichroic glass?

Knowing the specifics of a product’s warranty can give you additional peace of mind. Make sure you know two important things about the warranty: whether one is in place at all and what the specifics of that warranty entail.

You want to make sure you know exactly what’s covered, for how long, and any circumstances that could invalidate the warranty.

A great product warranty is an easy way to help ensure you see a return on your investment in dichroic glass.

6. What colors of dichroic glass are available?

When designing with glass, customization is a significant aspect. As you’re speaking to specific glass manufacturers, make sure to figure out what varieties, effects, and color options are possible. Figure out what’s standard, and also figure out what kind of customization (if any) is available.

TCG Glass offers three standard transparent colors:

• Lemon/Sky
• Orange/Cobalt
• Rose/Teal

Peacock DichroMirror™ is also available in two colors, providing a dichroic mirror option for anyone in that market.

7. What uses are recommended with your dichroic glass?

This is another pivotal question for determining whether that manufacturer can help bring your specific project to life.

Ask about the most common uses for their dichroic glass, including whether internal or external use is recommended.

TCG Glass offers their dichroic glass in three variations of glass panels:

• Vertical
• Horizontal
• Flooring

They recommend DichroGlass™ for any interior use and some limited exterior projects.

Whichever glass manufacturer you choose, whether TCG or anyone else, explicitly ask if your project aligns with their product’s recommended uses.

8. Is your dichroic glass the best option for my project?

Part of the value you’re getting when you’re working with a custom glass manufacturers is their industry knowledge. If that company can’t provide dichroic glass that suits your project needs, a reputable, honest, transparent company should be able to make recommendations about the best way to get what you need.

If you’re not aligned with a particular manufacturer, don’t be afraid to ask for their opinion about where you should go instead.

9. What does your dichroic glass cost?

Price is, of course, a consideration on any commercial or residential project. Get a total for what your project would cost and figure out if that manufacturer is going to be in budget or not.

The only caveat here is that pricing shouldn’t be the only factor your consider. That’s a recipe for getting low-quality glass that degrades, chips, or outright breaks. Remember to think about budget in terms of short-term and long-term ramifications. Yes, it has to make sense in the short term, but equally important is the lifetime value of that product. If you’re saving over time in repairs, maintenance, or even replacement costs, sometimes the option that seems more expensive can actually save you money in the long run.

Ask Us Anything about Our DichroGlass™!

Dichroic glass (or any custom architectural glass product, for that matter) is an investment. You want to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need with the best possible return on investment. The only way to do that is to ask the right answers.

When you’re working with the right glass manufacturer, they won’t mind you asking a lot of questions. On the contrary, they’ll appreciate your thoroughness and will be open, honest, and transparent about their processes.

Want to ask us anything about our dichroic glass? (Anything at all?) We’re always happy to answer! Contact us today to get your questions answered.