Discover the Beauty of Custom Glass Shower Enclosures
First launched in 1957, Clinton Glass quickly earned a reputation throughout East Tennessee as a trusted glass supplier for residential and business customers. Today Clinton Glass has become the area’s number one supplier of frameless shower glass. Under the careful leadership of co-owners and husband and wife team, Greg and Kim Stowell, and their dedicated staff, Clinton Glass has installed more than 10,000 custom showers.
What is even more impressive is the fact that Clinton Glass has become the only frameless shower glass company in East Tennessee that has its own fabrication facility where shower glass is fabricated and tempered in-house. Further, because all work is performed by their employees and not subcontractors, Clinton Glass offers a truly turnkey customer experience you are not likely to find anywhere else.
Homeowners hoping to create that showroom quality look and feel in their home’s bathrooms need not look any further than Clinton Glass. Their all-new showroom located within their state-of-the-art, on-site fabrication facility on Middlebrook Pike features 27 full-sized shower displays designed to inspire you. Unlike many showrooms you might visit today, this one-of-a-kind showroom is more of a discovery center, where you will see all of the possibilities that exist when creating your home’s new designer-inspired, custom glass shower enclosure.
In this issue of Everything Knoxville, we are pleased to bring you this interview with Greg and Kim Stowell.
EK: Tell our readers a little bit about Clinton Glass’ 63 year history.
Greg: There have been only three owners since 1957. The store has transformed over time from a paint and glass store, to a commercial glass company, and now a residential shower glass specialty store.
EK: Your transition from commercial glass installation to custom shower glass was a major step. What did you see in your marketplace that inspired such a bold move?
Kim: During the recession, commercial glass sales dropped off, and home remodeling picked up as people decided to stay in their homes. As the demand increased, we grew with it, and now we install about 200 custom showers per month in East Tennessee.
EK: More than 10,000 bathrooms later, what role has your in-house design services played in your overall success?
Greg: We hear frequently that we can design showers that other companies have difficulty with. That comes from measuring and installing thousands of showers. We’ve developed systems and capabilities to make the process go smoothly for our clients.
EK: After a homeowner first contacts you, describe the typical customer experience.
Kim: One of the best ways for customers to start the process is by visiting our showroom. Here they get to see, touch, and even step into the many different shower displays. Customers usually have an idea how they want their shower to look and feel, but a visit can offer them a chance to confirm or improve their design.
EK: At what stage of new construction or remodeling is it best for a homeowner to first contact you?
Greg: We like to talk to clients in the planning stage. Some glass companies think that’s too early and that you should only call them after the tile is complete. Contacting us early helps avoid any possible design concerns before they are constructed in the field.
EK: While a growing number of companies are outsourcing their work, Clinton Glass continues to rely only on its own employees. Why should that be important to your customers?
Kim: Our customers appreciate that our estimators and installers are all experienced, well-trained, fully insured, trusted employees. We arrive in badged company vehicles with Clinton Glass shirts. We survey our customers, and their feedback most often includes comments on how professional and courteous we are!
EK: You’ve actually taken your commitment to providing a truly turnkey customer experience to an all-new level with your new, state-of-the-art facility where you now fabricate and temper all of your own custom shower glass. Tell us more.
Greg: We control the entire process in-house, from the showroom to installation. And, much to our customer’s frequent surprise, we fabricate and temper our own glass in-house. This means we are not relying on an out-of-state glass fabricator who doesn’t know the intricacies of each job. It is wonderful having our crew handle every step, and I know our customers appreciate it!
EK: Why should this be important to your customers?
Kim: The biggest benefit has been quality control; we have complete control over the quality of our product! Also, with control of the glass fabrication, we have greater flexibility on the installation schedule. This has kept our installation lead times consistent.
EK: Tell our readers about your new inspirational showroom.
Greg: We have 27 full size showers on display in nearly every configuration imaginable. If you’re in the planning stages, come by and look, and you will get some great ideas. We frequently hear, “I never thought of that” or “I’m a very visual person, and now I know what our shower is going to look like.”
EK: What is the best way for our readers to learn more about Clinton Glass?
Kim: The quickest way is our website, www.clintonglasscompany.com, or our Facebook page, which is updated a few times a week with pictures of great shower installations. Of course a showroom visit is a must. And if you ask, Greg is happy to give shop tours of our fabrication and tempering equipment!
EK: In closing, is their anything else you would like to add?
Greg: We appreciate our wonderful customers and just want to thank them for allowing us into their homes to help create their dream baths.
Clinton Glass
9007 Middlebrook Pike
Knoxville, TN 37923
865.247.0404
www.clintonglasscompany.com