Why is Vitrolite glass no longer made?

Author: Myrtle Rippin  |  Last update: Friday, March 21, 2025

Around 1947 production started to dwindle. New, cheaper ways to produce wall tiles were invented and after less than 50 years the industry fell out of love with vitrolite. Production more or less ceased after the Great Depression, and by the 1950s very little vitrolite was produced.

Can you still buy Vitrolite glass?

It is no longer possible to buy newly manufactured Vitrolite, but it's still possible to obtain this distinctive building material. Vitrolite Specialist has a wide variety of Vitrolite for sale in a range of colors.

What is the difference between Vitrolite and Carrara glass?

Unless you pick a color that's unique to one or the other, the only way to tell them apart is from the back. Vitrolite (the jade green in back) has fine parallel grooves to maximize the grip of the mastic cement. Carrara (emerald green in front) relies on a roughened surface to create a strong bond.

What is the history of Vitrolite?

The history of Vitrolite architectural glass is closely tied to the Art Deco movement of the 1920s, though its earliest manufacturing dates back to the early 1900s. “In 1925 the art deco exposition in Paris, France brought all these industrial materials that was used for industrial machinery and restrooms,” Dunn said.

What is Vitrolite glass used for?

A catalog titled “Vitrolite in architecture and decoration,” published by the Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, c1937 lists the many uses for Vitrolite: Store fronts, lobbies of hotels and office buildings, for walls, ceilings and wainscoting of laboratories, bakeries, dairies. In hospitals, barber shops, meat markets.

S03E03: Saarinen House Vitrolite Bathroom Counters

Why did they stop making Vitrolite?

Around 1947 production started to dwindle. New, cheaper ways to produce wall tiles were invented and after less than 50 years the industry fell out of love with vitrolite. Production more or less ceased after the Great Depression, and by the 1950s very little vitrolite was produced.

What is invisible glass used for?

Invisible Glass is the #1-selling automotive glass cleaning brand trusted by professional detailers. The Invisible Glass Clear Dry formula contains no streaky soaps, scents, dyes or other additives that leave behind hard-to-remove residues. Residues cling to glass surfaces forming streaks and attract dust and grime.

What is structural glass made of?

Besides Vitrolite and Carrara, other trade names included "Sani- Onyx," "Argentine," "Marbrunite," "Nuralite," and "Opalite." Composition and Production Opaque structural glass was composed of silica, feldspar, fluorspar, china clay, cryolite, man- ganese, and other materials vitrified with intense heat (about 3,000 ...

What is the history of jalousie?

However, the origin of Jalousie dates back to the mid-18th century, derived from the French word “Jealousy” – permitting one to see without being seen.

What is the history of beach glass?

History of Sea Glass

Sea glass jewelry has been popular for about 25 years, but it's been found on beaches around the world since the mid-1960s. Before that point, almost everything was kept in glass bottles or jars. People threw their waste into the sea, not thinking anything of it, but sea glass emerged soon after.

What is the difference between Venetian glass and Murano glass?

The Difference Between Venetian Glass and Murano Glass

In short, there is no difference between the two. Venetian glass is simply another name for Murano glass. Most people know of the city of Venice more than they do the small island of Murano, so Murano glass can popularly be called Venetian glass as a result.

What is the difference between Calacatta and Carrara?

And the more uniform the veining is in the stone, the pricier it gets. For the most simplified explanation, the key difference between the two is going to lie in the color of the background color of the stone; Carrara skews gray and Calacatta skews white.

What is the difference between D glass and E-glass?

D-glass – Low dielectric constant glass made with borosilicates. Used in electrical applications. E-glass – Alkali free, highly electrically resistive glass made with alumina-calcium borosilicates. E-glass is known in the industry as a general-purpose fiber for its strength and electrical resistance.

What is jealousy glass?

Jealous glass was cast into a sheet then pressed to form rows of circular impressions that were concave on one side and protruding slightly on the other. Jealous glass was used for privacy as the pressed patterns allowed light to enter the room but distorted visibility. The term is now used for louvered windows.

What is the slang meaning of jalousie?

Etymologists are clear on the source of the word jalousie—it's French for "jealousy"—but the relationship between the emotion and the window treatments originally referred to as jalousies is not something they've speculated much about.

What is the history of Murano glass?

Production has been concentrated on the Venetian island of Murano since the 13th century. Today Murano is known for its art glass, but it has a long history of innovations in glassmaking in addition to its artistic fame—and was Europe's major center for luxury glass from the High Middle Ages to the Italian Renaissance.

What is unbreakable glass made of?

Although these panels look and function like glass windows, they are made of a combination of polycarbonate, acrylics, and other plastic resins. The combined strength and durability of its material composition makes polycarbonate panels a truly unbreakable and impenetrable solution.

How is Vitrolite glass made?

The product was made by combining borax, cryolite, kaolinite, manganese, silica, feldspar, and fluorspar. The fluorides made the glass opaque. These materials were fused into glass at a temperature of 3,000 °F (1,650 °C) and then annealed.

What is glass called that you can't see through?

Opaque glass isn't only useful for security purposes; it can also be used to create contemporary designs throughout the home. For instance, opaque glass panels make great room dividers that help maximize space while still allowing some light through.

What is the best homemade glass cleaner?

Basic Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe
  • 2 cups distilled water.
  • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar.
  • 10 drops essential oil (optional)

Does Windex have ammonia?

A: Most Windex® Glass and Multi-Surface Cleaners are formulated with detergents, solvents, fragrance and in some cases ammonia (see below for ammonia-free products). For more information about what goes inside SC Johnson products, visit whatsinsidescjohnson.com.

What are Vitrolite tiles?

Discover the distinctive elegance of Vitrolite. This pigmented structural glass epitomized the ultramodern look of the Art Deco and Art Moderne movements. It reached its zenith in the 1920s and 1930s — but this beautiful and versatile material is making a comeback today.

Is Low-E glass worth the extra money?

Low E glass makes your home more energy efficient, potentially saving you money on your heating bills, and performs better than standard double glazing.

What is fibber glass?

Fiberglass (American English) or fibreglass (Commonwealth English) is a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened into a sheet called a chopped strand mat, or woven into glass cloth.

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