We’re giving one lucky homeowner the chance to win a brand-new frameless glass pool fence valued at up to $15,000! We’ll remove your old fencing and replace it with sleek, modern and high-quality glass solution that adds safety, durability and serious style to your outdoor space.

Whether your current fence is rusty, dated or blocking the view, this is your chance to transform your pool area into something you’ll be proud of.

To enter, simply complete the form below and upload a few photos of your existing pool fence. Be sure to include:

– One wide shot showing the entire pool area

– One close-up of the current fence condition

Get ready to dive into your pool makeover! Hurry, entries close 14 September 2025!

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

The winner will be contacted once judging is complete.

If you have any questions, please email our team at marketingobg@obrien.com.au.

Competition is open to Australian residents aged 18+ who are individual homeowners of a residential property with an existing pool fence. Competition is a game of skill. Entries will be judged based on creativity and originality. One entry per person. Promotion period: 28/07/25 – 14/09/25. Prize: One winner. Total prize value AUD $15,000. Judging: To take place at O’Brien® Head Office on 15/09/25. Winner notified by phone. Full terms and conditions available at obrien.com.au/competition-terms-conditions.

Click here to learn more about our Glass Pool Fencing solutions.

The post The Great Aussie Pool Fence Fix-up! appeared first on O'Brien.

Our ability to be there for our customers rain, hail or shine, 24/7, is an integral part of what sets us apart.

As O’Brien Glass® has grown, so has our reach. Yet we remain highly committed to what makes our service so great.

So, to best service the collective Newcastle and Central Coast region in northern NSW, we now have TWO teams dedicated to helping their fellow locals.

Under the expert guidance of Branch Manager, Tony Wilson, we have established O’Brien Glass® Newcastle and O’Brien Glass® Central Coast.

This means that, if you’re in northern NSW, when you call or reach out online to O’Brien Glass®, you will be directed to the nearest local technician to you.

Your Newcastle & Central Coast glazing teams are here to help and can get to you quickly.

Local expertise servicing their local communities.

O’Brien Glass® has been a fixture in the Central Coast & Hunter region for over four decades, providing expert glazing services and upholding Australian glazing standards.

With the two teams active, both regions can rely on dedicated locals who know the area well and have a genuine desire to serve their community.

Our Central Coast team operate locally with the support of the O’Brien Glass® warehouse in Gosford, allowing the local team to service the Hawkesbury River area, down to southern Central Coast and as far West as the Hunter Valley region.

With the Central Coast being looked after, the team of Newcastle locals can more effectively service their Newcastle community. They now focus up to Tea Gardens and Nelson Bay, and right out to Maitland.

Involvement in our communities

O’Brien Glass® is a nationally recognised brand that operates as a local business.

That’s because our entire O’Brien Glass® team values their involvement in their respective local communities. We’ve developed a tight-knit network of trusted local professionals who enable us to confidently support clients with recommendations and referrals.

“I love that I’m now more focused on servicing my local area. It’s so nice to keep coming across familiar faces and it’s rewarding knowing that I’m giving back to my community” – Andrew King, Glazier at O’Brien Glass® Central Coast

The locals from our O’Brien Glass® Newcastle and O’Brien Glass® Central Coast teams are all active members of their communities.

For instance, our Central Coast team have enjoyed involvement in the support of the Wyong Lions Club charity events and the Newcastle team has helped their local Foodbank branch to make a difference in their community.

There for you 24/7, in an emergency.

O’Brien Glass® offers 24/7 emergency glass replacement services.

Both our O’Brien Glass® Newcastle and O’Brien Glass® Central Coast teams are always available to assist with your glass needs!

With local glaziers on call in both regions, we are ready to respond swiftly to urgent home or business needs. We always aim to arrive promptly, to repair or ‘make safe’, giving you peace of mind any time of the day.

We are committed to customer satisfaction

The genuine, customer-focused approach of the O’Brien Glass® Newcastle and O’Brien Glass® Central Coast teams reflects their commitment to quality service.

Our Customer Service Administrator, Kathy Penfold, received the 2023 Standout Individual Award, reflecting 25 years of outstanding service to our local communities.

Our branch has received the National Platinum Award for Safety, acknowledging our dedication to the safety of our team and our customers.

We’re proud to say that:

• Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) is consistently high;
• We enjoy amazing customer feedback and;
• We have a combined customer satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Google.

Reach out to an O’Brien glazier near you!

At O’Brien Glass®, we are dedicated to servicing the needs of our customers, no matter where they may be.

With 100 years of experience in Glass services and a lifetime guarantee on all workmanship for the life of your home or building, you can trust in our compliant, high-quality glass and professional 24/7 customer service support.

To contact your local team, click the links below

For O’Brien Glass® Newcastle please click here

For O’Brien Glass® Central Coast please click here

Or to speak with a friendly representative call us on 1800 059 829.

The post O’Brien Glass® Newcastle & O’Brien Glass® Central Coast Spotlight: Local experts serving the wider community appeared first on O'Brien.

We asked Mark to share a few things about being a local glazier on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW.

Name the best place on the Coast

“My favourite spots include the serene shores of Toowoon Bay and Avoca, where I find peace and relaxation.

What do you love about working here?

“I enjoy working on the Central Coast because of the ease of getting around and the genuine nature of our customers. It’s a community where people are down-to-earth and easy to work with.”

What’s the best thing about being a glazier?

“My O’Brien Glass team is like a tight-knit family—hardworking, trustworthy, and always up for a laugh. Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with colleagues who share my dedication to quality service and camaraderie. Plus, every day is different.”

What’s your favourite pastime?

“When I’m not working, you’ll often find me fishing on Brisbane Water or enjoying weekends with family and friends at the Blue Lagoon Caravan Park, our favourite hangout.”

The post Local Glazier Spotlight – Mark Bancroft, Central Coast appeared first on O'Brien.

“I’ve lived on the Central Coast for 21 years now and can’t fault this place. I get to meet so many friendly, welcoming customers, who also love where they live too”.

“It’s a luxury to practice my trade right here across the Central Coast, without the hassle of commuting. Living here feels like being part of a big family.”

The O’Brien Glass Central Coast team have many experienced glaziers who are locals, that service from Gosford to the Hunter Valley to Newcastle and surrounds.   With the main branch for O’Brien Glass based in Newcastle, the depot in Warabrook helps the local team manage the stock needed to service our customers. From home right through to larger commercial jobs, the team are quick to respond to calls for help to fix broken glass as well as upgrades and replacements for all types of glass.

Andy loves working with his colleagues like Mark, Ben and Mousty.

 “When I’m not on the job driving the O’Brien yellow truck around, you’ll likely find me enjoying my favourite beaches, Copacabana and Macmasters Beach, or spending quality time with my family. Living and working here on the coast offers a unique lifestyle that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

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Since Kelly joined, the team has grown significantly. What began as a small group of two glaziers in Hobart and two in Launceston has now expanded to a team of nine glaziers across both regions, supported by two talented planning specialists in the office.

Kelly is passionate about working at O’Brien Glass, a company she describes as having a strong focus on people and values. She finds genuine fulfilment in seeing her team succeed and takes pride in the positive feedback they receive—from glowing customer reviews to personal calls praising their exceptional service.

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys quality time with her husband and daughter. Whether it’s caravanning, motorbike adventures, or relaxing by the campfire, she values the balance that time away provides.

Kelly looks forward to a long and rewarding career with O’Brien Glass and hopes to inspire and empower other women and emerging leaders—within the company and beyond—to pursue their goals with confidence and ambition.

The post Manager Spotlight – Kelly O’Rourke – Glazing Manager Tasmania appeared first on O'Brien.

Each day, Adam is out in the field providing solutions for our customers, replacing glass in windows and doors, and serving as our in-house expert on splashbacks. With a wealth of glazing knowledge, Adam is a trusted source of advice and information on everything from dog doors and mirrors to shower screens, consistently delivering professional, reliable service to every customer he assists.

“Tassie is a great place to work and live, to spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the wonderful areas we can get to within a few hours’ drive” says Adam.  In his spare time, he loves to watch sport, spending time with his partner and taking care of their little dog Frisko.

Adam also said: “We have a great little team here at O’Brien Glass Hobart and it’s great to work with a team of genuine people as we are all willing to help each other out and we can have a joke and a laugh.”

So, if you need some glass replaced, please call your local O’Brien Glass® Glazing team and we will be more than willing to help.

The post Local Glazier Spotlight – Adam Joyce from Hobart appeared first on O'Brien.

O’Brien Glass® Hobart, led by Kelly O’Rourke, is dedicated to providing exceptional service, whether over the phone or in person at our branch. Customer service specialists Allison and Georgia are here to assist with any enquiry and ensure our glaziers are dispatched promptly and efficiently to meet your needs.

We offer a wide selection of high-quality pet doors and even have a sample door on-site, allowing you to bring your pet in to ensure the perfect fit. Our team also enjoys the chance to meet your furry companions during your visit.

If you’re in need of any glazing solutions, we encourage you to contact us. We take pride in our strong local knowledge and are committed to supporting our community with expert advice and friendly, reliable service.

The post O’Brien Glass Hobart – Meet the Team of Local Glaziers appeared first on O'Brien.

But how do you know which type of window is best for your needs?

At O’Brien Glass®, we pride ourselves on providing quality glazing solutions to everyday Australians, so we’re going to walk you through the differences between the two primary types of windows – single-glazed windows and double-glazed windows, to help you make an informed choice.

What is the difference between double-glazed and single-glazed windows?

Single-glazed windows consist of a single pane of glass. They are the most basic and traditional form of window glazing. While they are popular because they are cheaper upfront and easier to install, they offer less thermal insulation and soundproofing than the double-glazed alternative.

On the other hand, double-glazed windows or units (or ‘DGU’ when speaking in glazing lingo) consist of two pieces of glass separated by a spacer bar and sealed to create an insulating gap. This gap is typically filled with regular air or other gases (such as argon), enhancing thermal and acoustic insulation properties. The double layer of glass significantly reduces heat transfer and noise infiltration compared to single-glazed windows, and as expected, is a costlier option. Nowadays, these types of windows are referred to as Insulated Glass Units (or IGUs).

Where are double-glazed windows and single-glazed windows used?

Single-glazed windows are commonly found in older buildings, homes and other structures that have a single-glazing framework, which would need to be replaced by a builder prior to installing double-glazed glass. They are also used as a budget option or in several instances where double-glazed glass cannot be used, such as:

• Balustrades and Pool Fences
• Cabinet Glass
• Shower screens
• Splashbacks
• Tabletops
• Wired Glass

Double-glazed windows are typically prevalent in newer constructions and buildings located in regions with more volatile weather conditions. This is because of their superior insulation properties which make them ideal for homes and offices in areas with fluctuating hot or cold climates.

Double-glazed windows are becoming increasingly common to mitigate climate concerns, and in urban settings to mitigate noise pollution like main road and air traffic, where the owner/builders want to ensure a quieter indoor environment.

The Benefits of Double-Glazed windows (over Single-Glazed windows)

Double-glazed windows offer several advantages over the single-glazed alternative:

• Double-glazed windows provide better insulation, reducing energy consumption and lowering heating and cooling costs for occupants.
• The dual glass panes and their insulating gas layer significantly reduce noise levels, enhancing indoor comfort.
• Double-glazed windows can improve window security, as they are harder to break when compared to single-glazed options. Whilst double-glazed windows are the costlier option for windows compared to than single-glazed windows, this type of window can help to save money in the long term with lower energy costs, improved safety and increased comfort.

That said, as discussed, there are also many instances in which single-glazed glass are perfect for your home or business and is what you require.

But the benefits of double-glazed windows make this option a worthwhile consideration when assessing what windows to install in your home or business, as they may well be worth the investment, and add to the overall value and enjoyment of your property.

How can O’Brien Glass® help?

The right glazing decision can significantly improve the look and comfort of your space. Our expert team of glaziers can provide advice on the best options available, including double-glazed units, or other solutions like thermal glass, tinting or acoustic treatments that can work with single-glazed options (as an alternative to double-glazed units).

But just as important as deciding between single-glazed glass and double-glazed glass is the installation process.

At O’Brien Glass® we have a range of glazing solutions for your home or business, and our experienced Glaziers who are dedicated to safety can help you find and install the right solution for your needs, as well as help replace any broken or damaged glass.

With over 100 years of experience in glazing services and a lifetime guarantee on all our glass installations for the life of your home or building, you can trust in our compliant, high-quality glass installation and professional 24/7 customer service support.

For more info, chat with our team of glazing experts today at 1800 059 829.

If you can’t call right now, fill in our online form here and we’ll be back in touch.

The post Single-Glazed vs. Double-Glazed Windows: A Comparison appeared first on O'Brien.

That’s right, we’ve been serving customers in all kinds of glass across Australia since 1924.

And while a century of service is a rare feat that we’re incredibly proud of, time has truly flown.

What started as a humble silvering business by Frank G. O’Brien in Allen Street Waterloo, Sydney, has steadily grown to become one of Australia’s most iconic brands delivering expertise in home and business glazing, vehicle glass repair and electrical and plumbing services.

• Today, O’Brien® is Australia’s leading
  vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration company, providing a national service to nearly 500,000 motorists in the past year,
• We’ve come a long way, and with a shared passion for excellence and a drive to exceed customer expectations, we will continue to serve customers with high-quality products and service when they need us. To commemorate this special occasion, and to highlight the ethos that has driven us for a century, we’ve decided to take you on through the O’Brien® decades.

The 1924 – 1939: humble beginnings.

Founded in February 1924 by Frank G. O’Brien, our journey began here. We may have been small in size to start, but we were bold in our pursuit of customer satisfaction and employee well-being, and that hasn’t changed.

In fact, it was this zeal for service that led Frank and his growing team to incorporate under the Companies Act in 1930, laying the foundation for our future success.

The 40s and 50s: the war effort.

From 1940-1959, we quickly expanded our services into domestic and commercial glazing, specialising in shatter-proofing shop fronts and larger businesses.

As the World War II threat approached Australia, we were quick to support the effort by manufacturing windscreens for Australian aircraft and hand mirrors for our troops.

It was a trying time, but in the true Australian spirit, we persevered and did everything we could to assist.

The 1960s: mergers and expansion.

The 1960s brought a more peaceful era in Australian history.

In a time of rapid growth and industry, we merged with fellow Australian company, Glass Supplies, allowing us to broaden the scope and capabilities of our complex glass manufacturing and processing.

In 1965, we relocated our company headquarters to Padstow in Sydney (where our head office remains today) and introduced  Armourplate Doors to secure retail shop fronts and large office buildings.

The 1970s: joining Belron Group.

In 1971, we were proud to become the first overseas limb of the renowned vehicle glass repair and replacement, Belron Group.

With the support of Belron and our now 350 employees, we continued to grow and excel in the industry and established two separate divisions: Windscreens O’Brien and O’Brien Glass.

In 1976, manufacturing of laminated windscreens and architectural laminates became integral additions to our service offering in glass.

The company renamed to O’Brien Glass Industries Ltd on 2 March 1978.

The 1980s: expansion and milestones.

The 1980s was an exciting era for O’Brien®, despite the challenging economic conditions.

We started with extending our footprint to 95 branches, employing 800 staff.

Our Building Glass division diversified its product range to introduce the O’Brien Lock Service.

The first ever TV advertising campaign was launched in 1983. This marked the beginning of a range of quirky, yet memorable ads to grace Australian TV (and became part of advertising folklore for those that grew up in this decade). By this time, we were sourcing more than twenty thousand tonnes of glass annually for our automotive business and we solidified our presence across the country by opening branches nationwide.

By the end of the decade, we also reached several significant milestones, including:

• 60 years of operations,
• 1000+ employees, and
• Manufacturing our millionth windscreen.

The 1990s: A branding and advertising focus.

As the 20^th century ended, we continued our upward trajectory.

We continued to achieve record sales growth and in 1996, we launched a new TV advertising campaign for Windscreens O’Brien, showcasing our side and rear vehicle glass replacement expertise, together with our convenient mobile service.

We also refreshed our logo during the 90s, incorporating the distinctive Belron red and yellow symbol, and began to place an increasing emphasis on our customer service – a trait which we are still recognised and applauded for today.

The 2000s: “O’O’O’ O’Brien®”.

After the turn of the century, our windscreen and glazing divisions united under one brand: O’Brien®.

We introduced a new fleet of vehicles across the nation, revitalised our branch signage and forwarded our focus on technical expertise with the establishment of the Technical Training Centre of Excellence for our Auto division.

Then, in April 2005, the iconic O’O’O’ jingle was registered, becoming synonymous with the O’Brien® brand you know today.

The 2010s: advanced tech and service expansion.

The 2010s brought significant advancements in global automotive technology and we introduced best-practice tools like the Glass Medic Repair Kit and 1-Tek®. A formidable partnership with Bosch was formed and O’Brien® launched an Australian first for the automotive industry, our Cal-Tech® ADAS Recalibration service.

Our TV commercials continued to highlight our care and expertise and featured Mark, and our customer surveys were moved online as we embraced the digital future, sought greater convenience, and enhanced our customer’s experience with a new design for our branches.

In 2018, we acquired Laser Plumbing & Electrical, further expanding our service offering to our customers.

The 2020s: doubling down on advanced tech.

The 2020s brought a tumultuous time with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. But as we did during the 1940s, we adapted and persevered.

With the increasing demand for our Cal-Tech® Recalibration services, we strategically expanded our O’Brien® AutoGlass branch locations right across the country and continued to advance our service by introducing the Advanced Repair Technology (ART) Chip Repair Kits and remote headsets for Cal-Tech®.

From 2020, the first of our Electrical and Plumbing franchisee members took up the opportunity to brand as O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing.

Our iconic O’O’O’ jingle gained renewed focus with its familiar sound played across TV, radio, and digital advertising, reaching an estimated 200M+ jingles heard each year.

2024: O’Brien turns 100!

In late February 2024, O’Brien® turned 100!

And while we’ve grown and changed significantly over the years, one thing we are proud of: O’Brien® is committed to the highest standards of quality service.

We’re excited to celebrate a century’s worth of experience, expertise, passion for customer service and pride in our workmanship, but we will never get complacent.

We know that the key to our success and growth over the decades has been the pride we take in our expertise, the quality of our workmanship and our dedication to providing first-class service to every customer.

In 2024, as for the last century, we’re committed to solving your problems with real care whenever you need us, as our leadership team expertly steers our company towards new horizons.

Get in touch with your local O’Brien® experts for vehicle glass, glazing, electrical or plumbing services here.

At O’Brien®, solving your problems is what we do.

Nothing is more satisfying to us than delivering the high-quality service you need with genuine care and expert support.

From vehicle glass, and home and commercial glass to electrical and plumbing services, our O’Brien® team is here for you.

So, call us today or find your nearest expert.

For more images from our history, click here.

The post Celebrating Our 100-Year Journey at O’Brien® appeared first on O'Brien.

Having been a part of the Australian community for nearly 100 years, the O’Brien® team has seen our fair share of storms – and we’ve also helped thousands of Australian households prepare for storms (as well as clean-up after them). So, from our first-hand experience, we’ve put together a handy storm preparation checklist for you.

Being prepared for natural disasters such as storms isn’t just a precautionary measure. It’s a way to help keep your loved ones as well as your property safe, especially since Australian storms come in all types and severity.

Here are 8 things that you can do to prepare your home and your family in the event of a storm.

8 things you need to do around the home to be storm-ready

1. Stay informed and updated.

Forewarned is forearmed. So, whenever there’s a storm warning, keep a close eye on weather forecasts. If possible, get real-time alerts and warnings about approaching storms from reliable news sources so you’re always alert.

2. Create a family emergency plan.

Discuss evacuation routes, safe areas within your home, and contact information for nearby shelters or emergency services with your family.

This way, when the time comes, everyone will know what to do and can act quickly.

3. Build an emergency kit and stock up on your essentials.

You can also pack a storm emergency kit with all the essentials:

• non-perishable food
• clean water
• medications
• a first aid kit
• a torch
• batteries
• power banks

Ideally, an emergency kit should have enough supplies for at least a week.

4. Secure your surroundings.

While it’s still safe, clean up garden debris and secure loose objects in your yard so they don’t become projectiles during high winds. This includes outdoor furniture, trampolines or garden decorations. If flooding is a concern, you can use sandbags to prevent water from entering the vicinity of your home.

5. Inspect your doors and windows.

Look into all entry and exit points around your home such as windows and doors check for proper sealing. Get any previously broken panes of glass repaired so that they’re in good working order. It is worth checking to make sure you have the right type of safety glass around your home as well.

Your local O’Brien Glass experts can work on the replacement and provide expert advice for ensuring the glass around your home is safe for extreme weather.

6. Check your roof and gutters.

Check your roof regularly for loose or missing tiles and repair roof damage as soon as you notice it. Cleaning out gutters and downpipes will also ensure proper drainage in case of heavy rainfall. This can help you avoid or minimise potential water leaks and water damage during a storm.

If you need help with the cleaning and repair of your gutters or maintaining your roof, your local O'Brien Plumbing experts can assist.

7. Examine potential electric hazards.

Faulty power lines, lightning and water are a concerning combination that could pose risks to your home and your family. So, it helps to have a safety switch installed and maintained on your switchboard. A residual-current circuit breaker with over-current protection (RCBO) also guards against accidental electrocution by monitoring the current travelling to and from an electrical load.

If you need help with the installation of switchboard and safety switches, your local O'Brien Electrical experts can assist.

8. Review your insurance coverage.

Take the time to talk to your insurance provider and make sure your coverage adequately protects against storm and flood damage, especially if you live in a flood-prone area. Knowing that you have the right coverage gives you one less thing to worry about when the storm hits.

Stay safe and dry with help from O’Brien®

It’s always a smart idea to be prepared in advance for storms, and hopefully, this checklist is a good starting point for you.

Always remember, if you need any repairs around the home before or after a weather event – whether it be for electrical or plumbing work or glass repairs – just reach out to your local O’Brien^® team.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 719 738 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

We’re here to keep you safe and dry.

The post Storm Preparation Checklist: 8 Things To Do To Prepare For A Storm appeared first on O'Brien.