Friday, December 14, 2007

Local Glass Repair and Replacement Business Opens

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Glass Doctor® of Lehigh Valley franchise, owned by Dale and Maureen Augenstein, is now open for business and ready to “fix your panes.”

As a full-service glass repair and replacement company, Glass Doctor of Lehigh Valley can fix broken car windshields, home window panes and business storefronts. Glass Doctor of Lehigh Valley is located at 1850 Fridensville Road in Bethlehem and is open 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. – noon Saturday. Glass Doctor of Lehigh Valley offers mobile service to customers in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

“We’re excited to be a part of the Glass Doctor franchise system — a company that is focused on customer satisfaction and makes it the top priority,” Dale Augenstein said. “We looked at their system and how professionally it is run, and we know it will enhance our business.”

Upon purchasing the franchise, Dale and Maureen attended a five-day training course on the latest glass repair technology, customer service techniques and marketing methods, which was conducted at the Glass Doctor headquarters in Waco, Texas.

“Glass Doctor is a premier choice for glass repair and replacement nationwide,” said Mark Dawson, president of Glass Doctor. “We’re delighted Dale and Maureen have joined our franchise team, and we believe their business will be successful because we all operate under the same core values.”

Monday, November 5, 2007

How We Do Windows Glass cleaning tips from Glass Doctor WACO

It’s more confusing than difficult to clean glass. There are a lot of cleaning products on the market that promise to make window cleaning quick and easy. It is quick and easy as long as you do it right.
Most people clean glass when it’s dry, because that’s when they see the smudges or dirt. They use a dry paper towel, handkerchief, shop rag or shirt sleeve to wipe the glass. This smears the smudge around or maybe even grinds the dirt into the glass. Technically glass is a liquid, which is why it can be easily scratched.

Decide whether to use a retail glass cleaner or make your own.
• If you use a retail glass cleaner, read the contents label.
o It may have ammonia, which cleans the best but has strong fumes and leaves streaks. It may have alcohol, which dries quicker. It may be a combination. Both are effective, but they are flammable too.
o Some glass cleaners are tinted liquid in squirt bottles and some are foamy in aerosol cans. Wipe fast with a tinted liquid, it can streak the glass. Foamy cleaners stay put, which is great for inside windshields. However, they may contain petroleum products that are harmful in large amounts.
o Most environmentally safe cleaners have citric acid. This is an effective cleaner, but you have to dry it off quickly so it won’t eat into the glass, damaging it.
• If you make your own glass cleaner, use the proper ingredients.
o A simple, effective homemade glass cleaner contains vinegar and water mixed equally at a 1:1 ratio.
o Pilkington, a leading window manufacturer, recommends one part vinegar to 10 parts water for tinted or treated glass. Anything stronger can damage the tinting.
o Consumer Reports recommends a mixture of 7 pints of water, 1 pint of rubbing alcohol and a half-cup of ammonia. This mixture cleans better than vinegar and water, just be sure to follow the recipe specifically; it is toxic if swallowed.
o Never use bleach or abrasives in a glass cleaner mixture. The resulting fumes are toxic. Plus they damage the glass.
o If you are going to store homemade glass cleaner, tint it with blue food coloring so that you remember what it is.

Clean the glass without damaging it.
• When you apply the cleaner to the glass use a clean, dry cloth. Preferably the glass is dry too. If there is no visible dirt on the glass, first spray the cleaner on the clean, dry cloth instead of spraying it directly on the glass. Ignore your grandmother’s advice and don’t use newspaper. It sticks to the glass and gets your hands dirty for no good reason.
• Never use brushes, abrasives (like powder tub and tile cleaner or baking soda), razor blades, credit cards or steel wool. Glass scratched with these things usually must be replaced.
• If you have never used a particular glass cleaner before test it on a small part of the glass.
Make sure it dries clear. If the glass is cloudy there is residue left behind and possibly chemical damage to the glass.
• Use a squeegee to remove excess cleaner from the glass before you dry it.
• Dry the glass with a separate cloth. There are new micro-fiber cloths that do an amazing job of removing cleaner without leaving spots. A water-soaked chamois also will work but it may smear.
• Be sure to get all of the glass cleaner off the glass, or it will dry into a film that slowly contaminates the glass.
• Watch out if you get glass cleaner on latex paint. It could take the paint right off.

Consider using a glass treatment protector.
• Now there are a number of glass treatments that repel water, such as Aquapel® by PPG. Most are designed for windshields, but they can be applied to shower doors, mirrors and windows as well. Glass treatments can reduce glare, too.
• Make sure the glass is thoroughly clean and dry before applying a glass protector. The glass protector also needs time to dry according to the instructions.
If you clean the glass and notice scratches or foggy patches, take your vehicle to your local Glass Doctor franchise shop or ask the shop to send a professional glass service technician to your home or business to examine the glass. Our technicians may be able to use special equipment to restore the glass to its original condition. If a single pane is damaged, it may be easily replaced instead of having to replace an entire window. Of course, if you clean your glass carefully you might be ready to become a professional.

References:
“Homemade cleaning products,” Consumer Reports, Dec. 2006.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/news/december-2006/homemade-cleaning-products-12-06/overview/0612_homemade-cleaning-products_ov.htm

“Pilkington ComfortPlusTM – Cleaning,” Pilkington Group Ltd., Sept. 2000.
http://www.pilkington.com.au/applications/products/asia+and+australasia/australia/english/bybenefit/solar+control/products/pilkington+comfortplus/cleaning.htm

About Glass Doctor®:
Established in 1962, Glass Doctor is the largest chain of full-service glass replacement providers in the nation. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” Glass Doctor franchisees offer complete glass replacement, service and repairs to the automotive, residential and commercial markets at more than 360 locations in the United States. Glass Doctor is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For further information or to find the location nearest you, visit http://www.glassdoctor.com.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Glass Doctor® Services List

Glass Doctor repairs and replaces all types of glass products in the home, automobile, and business sectors.
Contact your local Glass Doctor location about services; not every Glass Doctor franchise offers every service.

Home Glass Services
Glass windows and other fixtures in the home may be able to be repaired if they are etched or scratched. Repairs depend upon the depth, length and type of scratch. Cracked or chipped glass in single panes can be replaced, as opposed to replacing the entire window or door. Glass Doctor can replace any glass except glass a person wears or drinks from, including:

• Single pane windows, including energy efficient, insulated glass for low Emissions (low-E)
• Safety glass
• Frosted glass
• Laminated glass
• Tinted glass
• Decorative glass panels (in cabinetry, for example)
• One-way glass
• Reflective glass and mirrors, including decoratives, walls, vanities, shelving, and headboards
• Sliding glass doors
• Skylights
• Sunrooms
• Glass shower doors and custom shower enclosures
• Storm window glass
• Glass tables, both indoor fitted tops and outdoor patio tops
• French doors
• Entertainment centers
• Scratch removal

Automotive Glass Services
Glass Doctor can repair most chips and scratches in windshield glass. Glass Doctor franchises use only Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM) glass. Glass Doctor can replace all windshield, window glass, and mirrors in:
• Cars
• Trucks
• Vans
• SUVs
• Tractors
• Construction equipment
• Buses
• RVs
• Tractor-trailers

Business Glass Services
Businesses needing attractive store fronts with large-pane glass displays can call the Glass Doctor whenever the glass needs original installation, repair or replacement. Glass Doctor also offers emergency boardup service and advance measurement plans. From high-rise office buildings to neighborhood shops, Glass Doctor has unique services to exceed commercial customers’ expectations.
• Store fronts
• Display cases
• Glass walls
• Mail slots
• Exit devices
• Fire-rated glass
• Bullet resistant glass
• Safety glass
• Bomb resistant glass
• Package doors
• Panic hardware
• Energy efficient, insulated glass
• Reflective, tinted or mirrored glass
• Scratch removal

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Glass Doctor

Welcome to Glass Doctor. The nation's largest full-service glass company - specializing in auto windshield replacement and repair, as well as home and business glass doors and windows. For over 37 years, our reputation for providing quality products and professional workmanship has made us the leader in the glass repair and replacement industry.

Auto Glass Repair & Windshield Replacement
We pride ourselves in offering very competitive pricing and the highest level of quality. Since 1969, our dependable service, superior quality and competitive pricing have made us the national leader in auto glass repair and windshield replacement.


Windows and Accessories
Energy efficient windows and replacement glass are essential for managing the energy costs of your home and office. Glass Doctor uses state of the art glass in all of its replacement products. We can also upgrade your windows to the new energy standards for your old home.


Glass Doors and Accessories
Glass doctor replaces glass in all types of doors. Doors usually require tempered or laminated safety glass. Many doors today are furnished with insulated glass to increase the energy efficiency of the product. We can match almost any insulated safety glazing product. We supply all types of decorative glass door products including tinted glass and fitted glass.


Glass Shower Doors & Tub Enclosures
Glass doctor also provides a full range of glass shower doors and tub enclosures. Glass Doctor is the leading expert when it comes to the design and installation of custom shower tub enclosures. We offer a wide variety of shower doors to fit any budget. Whether you are looking for a basic framed shower door or an elaborate custom enclosure, the best combination of quality, price and service is available only from Glass Doctor.
We service a discriminating clientele. The best architects and designers in the country have used Glass Doctor on their shower door projects. We have installed custom shower enclosures for thousands of satisfied clients.


Custom Glass Table Tops & Furniture Tops
Glass Doctor provides custom measured and fitted glass table tops. Our experienced technicians will come to your home and give a professional consultation on edgework detail, glass tint, thickness and safety issues related to glass furniture tops.
Custom Glass Mirrors Custom Mirrors are a specialty with Glass Doctor. We stack shelving in the mirror to achieve a "floating" look and use all types of glass to make your home a showplace.

Emergency Service
Our unique glass shop on wheels can often save you money. Most service providers must charge for a temporary board up, then add a follow up charge for return and installation of the proper glass. The extensive inventory we carry in our mobile shops usually enables us to complete the glass installation on the first service call.


Call your local Glass Doctor now for all your glass needs. We have locations all across the country including Gainesville, Albany, Ames as well as many others. Find the nearest Glass Doctor location here.