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custom colors. Adding metallic flakes, pearl
or faux finishes and texturing can truly add
one-of-a-kind impact, Channel added.
Popular commercial and institutional
applications range from gleaming walls,
conference tables, brand signage and re-
ception areas, with equally stunning op-
tions for use in custom residential kitch-
ens and bathrooms. Back-painted glass is a
chic, green and enduring alternative to de-
sign products such as tiles and laminates,
Channel explained. Large, smooth, virtually
seamless surfaces prevent mold and bacte-
ria, are water resistant and stand up to even
the most rigorous cleaning requirements
when used in medical and food-service
settings.
From an environmental perspective,
Summit’s coatings are low in volatile organ-
ic compounds and the company is current-
ly conducting in-house tests on even lower
VOC finishes. Additionally, back-painted
glass often promotes the “harvesting” of
natural light and can contribute to LEED
points.
Channel agrees the design future of
back-painted glass is bright.
“We’re seeing about a 20 percent increase
annually in the demand for back-painted
glass,” Channel noted, recognizing Sum-
mit’s market experience, both in Denver
and nationally. “Right now we’re seeing pri-
marily commercial use, especially in work-
spaces and high-end retail, where color is a
critical design element.”
Glass walls and marker boards are among
the most sought-after applications, Chan-
nel added. Summit has participated in a
number of projects in what he called the
“energy and political markets,” including
fabrications for the Pentagon, Comptroller
of the Currency and the U.S. Naval Acad-
emy in Washington, D.C. Summit also cre-
ated large glass marker boards for the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation’s East Coast
office, also based in the nation’s capital.
With a full commitment to product qual-
ity and brand promise, Channel is particu-
larly proud that Summit submits its prod-
ucts for third-party independent testing
and posts those results – which have been
stellar – on its website.
“We want clients and potential clients
to see these results,” he explained. “It’s an
expression of our confidence in our prod-
ucts.” He added that Summit is committed
to meeting or exceeding the standards of
ASTM, a global standard-setting organiza-
tion representing more than 140 member
countries.
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PREVIOUS PAGE:
A sense of privacy is
achieved using a frosted
glass application in an
office setting.
ABOVE:
Depending on appli-
cation, the ability of
back-painted glass to
capture and amplify
natural light may earn
LEED points, as it did for
this elevator lobby at
Wasatch Funds in Salt
Lake City. The project
incorporated a custom
mix of the company’s
signature blue and
white colors. Installation
by Beehive Glass.
