What started out as a passion for installing glass in vehicles, turned into a fulfilling career when owner Justin Eimers realized that glass was his entire future. “This was an occupation I was not going to get bored with as there are so many things to do with glass,” Justin smiles.
Glass can really transform a room, and Justin and his team understand the importance of quality products, installation, and overall customer experience.
Justin adds, “Glass Doctor is very unique in how we really cater to the residential homeowner with glass in their entire home. Whether it’s mirrors, showers, glass tabletops, or so much more. We do all things glass – Home, Auto and Business! We have installed over 10,000 showers, so when it comes to glass, we are the ones to call!”
The company has been running in the Sioux Falls area for more than 15 years and customers trust their reputation. It’s not just the customers though. Loyalty runs deep at Glass Doctor, and that dedication is shown with both customers and staff. Pamela was Justin’s first employee, and she has remained with the company ever since. When Justin started hiring additional employees, Tony came onto the team shortly after Pamela and continues to work with Glass Doctor today.
Sales Associate and Social Media Manager, Tiffany says, “Both are still an essential part of the company and together offer a wealth of knowledge in the industry.”
Crunching the numbers, Tiffany explains that auto, residential, and commercial glass projects are fairly even on the number of projects throughout the year. “The company started on auto and most recently added commercial work, but between the three sides of the business, it is consistently busy,” she adds.
Over the years, customers have been leaning toward the trend of becoming more unique and stylized. While the main purpose of glass is to add a certain brightness and glow to a space, it also elevates a room or home. Tiffany explains, “With Glass Doctor, our clients can completely customize glass to create a look and configuration that best suits their exact needs and preferences.”
Recently, there have been several fun projects the team has completed. “People get so creative,” Tiffany adds. “We have installed glass for wine rooms, a dog wash station, and closed in offices in-home!”
The dog station was the first project of its kind. Think of a shower, but on a much smaller scale. The clients wanted an area to clean up their furry friends without dragging too much dirt and mud throughout the home. The glass swinging doors keep the pets contained and are easy to operate when getting them in and out of the designated space.
With so many different layouts in modern homes, the ideas are endless. Nooks under stairs are becoming a neat space to customize. New builds are blank slates where each homeowner can put their own spin on glass and the overall look of the home.
“Folks that work from home are able to separate their work space in an elegant design while cornering off an area as dedicated space, and the glass can serve as a kind of sound barrier so life can continue outside of the glass box for anyone else in the home,” Tiffany explains. The closed off look utilizing glass still keeps the trending “open” floor plan illusion at the forefront while giving off a beautiful and luxurious vibe.
Justin says, “I’ve been a part of so many fun projects. The best part of the job is interacting with the clients and helping their visions and dreams come to fruition.”
Whatever your glass needs are, the first step in the custom design process is the initial project overhaul meeting. Sitting down with the team, clients walk through what their starting point is all the way to what the final vision is. Throughout the process Glass Doctor professionals offer suggestions and options from the kinds of glass, types of finish, and even the hardware that would be included on the glass itself like the handles and hinges on doors.
Following that, a technician is set up to check out the space first-hand to provide a more comprehensive quote for the project. The technician also brings back the measurements so the design team can create mockups to share with the clients.
Glass Doctor does have a showroom to provide a sample to clients. It serves as a starting point where they can really dream up the full picture. Tiffany says, “The showroom includes displays of shower doors so clients can decide between swinging vs. sliding as well as types of glass from gray tinted to grid lines, frosted tints, or rain glass.”
Popping up in more shower projects is the customization of that tint or pattern on the glass itself. “Black grid lines on any clear door can mimic and complement the tile and design in the bathroom space,” Tiffany shares. Sometimes a project will install with clear glass, but then choose to add a tint or grid after to add visual interest.
The gridlines can be color matched to any hardware or tile, but most commonly, customers choose a modern, solid black. When it comes to tinting, there are a few options as well from full to partial or a simple strip in the middle for modest coverage. “Everything we do here is typically custom. There’s not a set standard size or style,” Tiffany proudly explains.
As long as the bathroom or project space is ready for install, the project can be completed with a relatively quick turnaround.
Tips For Maintaining Tempered Glass
While Glass Doctor does offer repair and maintenance services, there are a few things you can do in your home to keep up with your windows. Following these few tips can increase the life of the glass in your home. For starters, instead of an apple a day, dust your glass regularly with a microfiber cloth to prevent buildup to keep the doctor away.
• Equally important, you want to avoid exposing the glass to hot objects or cold water immediately after exposure to heat. With your shower glass, use a rubber-edged squeegee to prevent water spots and streaks from forming.
• Lastly, always remember to choose a glass cleaner specifically designed for tempered glass. If you’ve run out or forgot to get some at the store, just mix up an equal part water to white-vinegar solution and apply it like normal.
• If you need something more than regular maintenance, Glass Doctor is ready for your call.
