Products

New “Game Changer” for Glaziers When SuperClear 45-HS (hose stream) and SuperClear 45-HS-LI (hose stream, low-iron) were introduced in January 2019, we knew that it would be another SAFTI FIRST “game-changer”. Architects, glaziers and building owners no longer had to settle for unsafe wire glass or expensive, tinted filmed and laminated ceramics. One look at...

In August of 2022, the National Glass Association (NGA) announced the publication of a new international standard addressing school safety in the midst of rising instances of school shootings. The NGA School Security Task Group was formed in November 2021, and in less than a year, ASTM F356122: Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry-Resistance of Fenestration...

The Glasstec show in Dusseldorf is an industry show that is near and dear to me. Over four decades ago, it was where I first discovered a technologically advanced glass capable of resisting fire, smoke and heat. Something that wired glass, the only fire rated glass available and in use in the United States, could...

Manufacturing companies today are all experiencing difficulty in finding workers. According to a study, conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, they state that as many as 2.1 million manufacturing jobs in the USA will go unfulfilled by 2030. For over 80 years, O’Keeffe’s/SAFTI FIRST has been a manufacturer of architectural building products, fire rated...

With many years of experience, over sixty in the architectural glazing industry, we have learned that innovation is a necessity to growth and success both for our clients and ourselves. The architectural community rewards innovation and appreciates evolving architectural advancements as this innovation allows them to introduce interesting, new, and creative projects, whether an application,...

In my last blog, I expressed my optimism for the construction industry’s road to recovery. The Architectural Billings Index is strong, and we are seeing a return to in-person tradeshows, conferences, and other industry events. While we still have some challenges along the way, particularly with supply chain interruptions, and fulfilling pent-up demand for materials,...

When ceramic glazing was introduced to the US market in the 1980s, they were touted by distributors as a wire-free clear alternative to the “wired look” of traditional wired glass. Ceramic glazing was marketed as an improvement and carried a high price tag. It was and still is imported from only two sources. One in...

The influx of COVID-19 during the past months has changed our society in unprecedented ways. Numerous shelter-in-place orders, whether it is mandated or simply recommended, has affected how we’ve conducted every day activities both in our personal and professional lives. The building and construction industry is not immune from the negative impact of COVID-19, as...

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE. With architects specifying full-vision, code-compliant, 60 and 90 minute, temperature rise doors for exit stairwells and other code required applications, we found this as an opportunity to expand our product offerings. In the last couple of months, SAFTI FIRST has embarked on an ambitious, $8M expansion to upgrade our fire rated...

Innovative products with low-iron glass trend Fire Rated Glass Embraces Low-Iron Glass Trend with Innovative New Products There is an increasing demand for low-iron glass as designers are being drawn by the color—or to put it more accurately—the lack of. When you look through a piece of standard glass, it is typical to notice a...