In operation for over 40 years, the local O'Brien Glass^® branch is committed to offering high-quality glazing and emergency glass repair services to the Central Coast and Newcastle community through their team of glass experts.

Michael Rolls, Branch Manager, recently shared his team’s experience working across the region and how they continue to deliver exceptional services to their many customers.

Here’s what he had to say.

Meet your local O'Brien Glass^® team

The Newcastle & Central Coast NSW region has an abundance of beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and rolling hills.

With this stunning backdrop and relaxed lifestyle, it’s no surprise the team of seven O'Brien^® glaziers all love to be out and about on the road.

Michael said, “Aside from this, we all love being able to meet different people and have friendly interactions whilst providing exceptional glazing service to our clients.”

It’s a real team effort, across the crew of ten, with Michael and two office staff keeping things running smoothly – ordering stock, helping customers and everything in-between. Altogether, the team has over 160 years of combined experience in the glass replacement industry! This makes them incredibly reliable experts when it comes to emergency glass repairs and replacement needs.

“We also have two staff who recently completed their apprenticeship. Today, they’re now thriving, qualified glaziers and making a great contribution to the Newcastle community with their skills,” Michael adds.

Working together within the Newcastle community

Working for so long as part of the Newcastle region goes beyond providing prompt and efficient glazing services. Over the years, the team has also built a network of trusted local business partners and complementary service providers.

These fostered connections with other industry experts, such as painters and carpenters, have enabled the O'Brien^® team to give clients suitable recommendations and referrals to professionals within the local area, allowing them to fully support customers and work collaboratively with everyone in the community.

“It’s great being an active part of the business landscape here in Newcastle,” said Michael. “It means we all can help each other to help more customers.”

No job is too big or small for your local O'Brien Glass^® team

The glazing experts at the O'Brien Glass^® Central Coast & Newcastle branch provide a wide range of services across the NSW North Coast – from Gosford to the Hunter Valley to Newcastle and surrounds. As part of their ongoing commitment to their local community, here are some of the glazing services they offer customers:

1. 24/7 emergency glass replacement service

Glass breakage can happen at any time and can cause security and safety risks. That is why the team will always try to respond quickly at any time of the day or night.

“We have at least 2 of our local glaziers who are always on call every night and over the weekend. Once we receive a call from a customer, we try to respond immediately and be on site within an hour or less to provide emergency glass replacement,” Michael said.

2. Award-winning service

O'Brien^® strives each and every time to provide quality service and is always open to customer feedback. The Central Coast & Newcastle team is no exception.

“True to the ‘O'Brien^® DNA, our branch has been a great performer and has won several internal awards. Our NPS rating, which is driven by our customer feedback, is consistently over 85%, and in fact, several times, that has been the highest amongst the ‘O'Brien^® branches in the country,” Michael said.

This is a clear testament to how your local O'Brien Glass^® team truly values the quality of service they provide to customers – no matter how big or small the job may be.

Here is some of the feedback provided by their local customers:

“I had a call for a pet door with O'Brien. Very helpful and knowledgeable team who were able to advise me on the best options for my home. Pricing was provided over the phone and the team were happy to schedule the appointment around my schedule as needed. Would be happy to recommend for home or business. Thanks”

– Sean P

“O'Brien Glass responded quickly arrived on time and were very courteous and professional. Their communication throughout the whole process was exceptional.”

– Brian M

“Prompt response very polite and friendly staff. Excellent customer service”

– Russell C

Got broken glass? O'Brien Glass^® is here to help

Servicing across North Coast NSW region, you can rely on your local O'Brien^® glazing experts to help – whether you need a simple glass replacement or 24/7 emergency service.

Click here to connect to O'Brien Glass^® Newcastle & Central Coast

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

The post O’Brien Glass® Newcastle & Central Coast Team In Focus: Locals Servicing Locals appeared first on O'Brien.

O'Brien Glass^® glaziers are experts in all things glass. We have a long history of using glass to enhance homes and office spaces.

So, here are a few pointers from our glazing experts on how you can utilise the many benefits of glass to assist you with making informed decisions when building or renovating your home or office.

Indoor climate control and energy efficiency

Modern architectural design often uses glass for a stylish, contemporary feel whilst providing natural light inside the home or office and protection from outside elements.

However, you may not be aware that a standard piece of glass can be a poor insulator, making it less effective in controlling heat gain or loss. As a result, the glass industry has developed a variety of solar and thermal control glass that can help mitigate the harsh extremes of the Australian climate – making it ideal for buildings countrywide.

O'Brien^® offers a range of specialised window film solutions that deliver several climate control benefits to your home. For instance, our ‘Energy Star Rated’ solar film can help keep your home cool, protected from UV rays, and safe from glare, which provides resistance to heat flow and can help lower your heating or cooling costs.

Noise reduction and sound insulation

Is your home or office located within a busy environment? If so, sound control is vital to keep your space peaceful and comfortable.

All types of glass allow the passage of sound but in varying degrees. Generally, the thicker the glass is, the better the sound dampening properties.

Due to its makeup, laminated glass has better sound insulation qualities, and double glazing also helps with sound dampening.

Gaps or cracks around the window frame can also compromise the acoustic qualities of the glass. So, if you need help reducing unwanted noise, we recommend consulting an O'Brien^® glazier for expert advice and quality workmanship.

Storm and bandit resistance

One of the most common causes of glass breakage is external impact. Therefore, installing the correct type of glass is essential to protect your property against unfortunate incidents such as theft and severe weather.

Because of its Polyvinyl Butyral interlayer, laminated safety glass is recommended by O'Brien^® experts in high traffic areas like shopfronts. When it breaks, this type of glass forms a web-like pattern with a tendency to remain within its frame, increasing the amount of time and effort needed to access your property or office. However, even when broken, laminated safety window glass can continue to be a barrier against intruders, debris, projectiles and the weather – an extra layer of protection for you, your business and your family.

Privacy

Other than installing blockout blinds or curtains, several glass solutions offer varying degrees of privacy depending on your preference and needs. For example, O'Brien^® offers different types of window tinting and films for your privacy. With this solution, you can usually customise the level of light required in your space to suit your needs.

It is, however, important to note that tinted windows don’t always offer much privacy at night, especially when the illumination inside your home is greater than the outside environment. Therefore, for optimum privacy, we suggest you pair tinted windows with blinds or curtains.

Decorative and frosted glass are also effective solutions to increase privacy in your home or office. These can make bathrooms, meeting rooms, offices or room partitions more private. If you’re looking for a more affordable and temporary alternative, decorative glass can also be a great option. O'Brien^® can supply, install and replace decorative and frosted glass tailored to your needs.

Fire protection

When using glass in the kitchen, such as splashbacks behind stovetops, it is important to use glass products that meet the requirements under Australian Standards AS4551/AG101 and AS5601/AG601. These Standards are designed to help prevent excessive heat and possible fire in combustible materials such as walls that sit behind a glass splashback.

For bushfire prone areas, Australian Standard AS3959–2018 prescribes the use of fire-rated glazing to help reduce your home’s risk of ignition. Fire-resistant glazing helps reduce the spread of fire in your home through the use of specialist glass, framing and installation methods.

Be sure to consult your trusted O'Brien^® expert and local relevant authorities for the appropriate glazing solution to your individual needs.

Are you ready to make your home or workspace better with glass?

At O'Brien^®, if there is one thing we know, it’s glass and how it can make a difference to our customers. With over 95 years of experience, we are here to help you make your home or office a better place – no matter where you are in Australia.

Simply reach out to your trusted O'Brien^® experts and talk to our friendly advisors for the appropriate glazing solution that’s tailored to your needs. Call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message.

The post 5 Ways Glass Can Help You Build A Better Home Or Office appeared first on O'Brien.

Fortunately, severe storms typically come with a warning, giving us time to plan ahead so we can protect our family, our homes and our vehicles.

To help you stay proactive, we’ve put together a list of quick tips you can use to ensure you’re prepared for any dangerous storms that may come your way.

7 ways to protect your home and vehicle from an oncoming storm

Of course, your top priority during a storm is always the safety of yourself and your family. However, it’s still important to look after your home and vehicles as much as possible as well, as severe weather has the potential to lead to costly destruction of property.

So here are some things you can do to help protect your vehicle and home:

1. Stay up to date with the latest forecast.

While we can see them coming on the radar, storms are still unpredictable. It’s best to stay updated to help maximise your preparation time. The weather forecast will keep you posted on a storm’s movement and strength, and news reports will also let you know about any flood-prone roads or other areas to avoid, as well as if it’s necessary to evacuate.

Remember: keeping updated with the latest information can help save lives in hazardous weather conditions.

2. Store or secure any outdoor items or equipment that could become a projectile.

Store all gardening tools, outdoor furniture, sports equipment, pot plants and so on, indoors to ensure that powerful winds don’t turn these otherwise harmless objects into dangerous flying projectiles that could cause considerable damage to glass windows, doors and car windscreens.

3. Trim or cut down hazardous trees and branches around your home.

During a severe storm, tree branches can snap, and entire trees can become uprooted. Regular trimming could help to limit falling branches so they don’t end up potentially causing damage to your home, vehicles, or any members of your family.

4. Check around your home for any needed repairs.

The best way to protect your home and everyone inside is to ensure that all parts of it are in good condition. Check for cracks, loose panels, broken windows, damaged roof tiles, etc. It’s also a good idea to clean your gutters regularly and check for leaks anywhere that water might get in.

At O'Brien^®, we have a team of local experts who can provide glazing, electrical, plumbing and roofing services to address any issues your home may have before the next big storm. Visit our location pages to see what O'Brien^® services are in your area.

5. Park your car in a safe spot.

If you don’t have a garage, look for areas with temporary covered parking or make sure that wherever you park, your vehicle won’t get caught in the event of a flood such as a parking place on a road that is up a hill

As an added measure, you can also cover your windscreen with thick blankets, in an effort to help protect your car in a pinch.

6. Remove any non-essential items and secure loose objects around your vehicle.

Detach any magnetic signs, removable aftermarket add-ons such as flags and other exterior car accessories when preparing for a storm. This is to ensure these items don’t become fast-moving objects in strong winds.

7. Don’t forget your routine car maintenance.

In the event of a severe storm, you may need to evacuate, meaning you’ll need to ensure that your car is ready to get you and your family to safety.

Regularly check your tyres, your oil and your battery, as well as your windscreen for chips and cracks. When you know there’s a storm coming, make sure your fuel tank is full and ready to go.

If you do need windscreen repairs, you can rely on your local experts at O'Brien^® to repair or replace your broken glass and get you back on the road fast.

While severe storms can cause stress and discomfort, a bit of forward planning and preparation can help you to protect your home, your vehicles, and most importantly – the lives of you and your loved ones.

Take your storm safety to the next level with O'Brien^®

At O'Brien^®, we are always ready to deliver vehicle glass, glazing, electrical and plumbing services to your home or business.

Contact us today and we can help you prepare and protect your home and vehicle against severe weather and storms this summer.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 , or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

The post 7 Safety Tips to Help Protect Your Home and Vehicle from an Approaching Storm appeared first on O'Brien.

Interesting fact; did you know O'Brien also replaces pool glass fencing? 

O'Brien was called to a beachside residence in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs to perform some maintenance work on a stunning pool with a view recently. 

To maximise the views from this pool, the residents had opted for glass panelling.   

Located so close to the sea, the glass panels surrounding the pool are completely at the behest of the natural environment and crashing waves had bent the spigots supporting the glass, forcing one panel to pop out, which is why it needed to be replaced. 

It took the work of three glaziers and 6 hours to successfully complete the job. The team removed the existing spigots; replacing them with heavy-duty powder-coated spigots which are more ideal for the environment. There were many things that needed to be considered to execute this job safely, not least of all the weather conditions. 

In doing the work, the team recommended the four pool fence balustrade panels were replaced at the same time and the result not only ensures the safety of those in the pool this summer, but the transparent panelling means the natural beauty of the spot is maximized for the residents and their guests.  

As this “fencing” is located next to the ocean and contains a drop of more than 1 meter on the other side it is also considered a “barrier”. Pool fences installed in this method that also act as a barrier, usually require a hand rail on or near the exposed glass top edge to offer that extra fall safety protection in case of breakage. Otherwise, the glass must be specifically designed to withstand barrier loads on its own.

Just ask your local O'Brien glazier what pool fence, or barrier, is right for your backyard.

The post Freshen Up Your Glass Pool Fence For Summer appeared first on O'Brien.