What does kiln-carved mean on a glass bar top?

Kiln-carving is a process in which glass is fired in a kiln over a textured bed — in this case, a hand-worked sand surface — so the heat softens the glass and allows it to take on the precise contours of the texture beneath it. The result is a surface that is permanently part of the glass, not applied to it. The texture lives on the underside, meaning the top surface stays smooth and cleanable while the visual depth lives below, amplified by the LED light source behind it.

How is a glass bar top supported without drilling through the glass?

Three cantilevered steel brackets, anchored into the bar structure below, carry the full load of the glass surface. The glass rests on the bracket faces and is bonded with ultra-clear silicone — no hardware passes through the glass at any point. This eliminates stress concentration points, aesthetic intrusion, and future maintenance issues caused by through-drilling.

How does the LED lighting system work inside a kiln-carved glass bar top?

The Ambiance Machine™ RGB LED system mounts along the interior edge of the bar structure and fires light upward through the glass. The carved texture catches and scatters that light, creating a surface that appears to glow from within. The system operates across 8 million color combinations at 0–100% intensity, with programmable scenes and optional photocell trigger that activates the bar automatically at dusk.

What are the maintenance requirements for a kiln-carved glass bar top?

The surface requires no special treatment. The top surface is smooth polished glass — cleaning is the same as any glass surface, a damp cloth or standard glass cleaner. No sealing, no waxing, no periodic treatment required. Low-iron glass is non-porous, does not stain, and does not react with alcohol, citrus, or cleaning products.

How was the wave texture pattern developed for the Mantoloking glass bar top?

The texture was designed interactively — client and craftsman working from the bar's geometry and the room's flow to arrive at a pattern that felt native to the space. Once the bar base drawings were confirmed, multiple textural iterations were developed. The client selected the wave pattern, which was then scaled and anchor-pointed so the hand-worked sand bed in the kiln matched it as faithfully as the process allows.

Glass Stair Treads in Hollywood, California

glass stair treads led lights blue california

Last updated on February 21st, 2026 at 12:06 pm

Glass Stair Treads are an excellent design feature when properly illuminated. We recently engaged with a client in Hollywood, California to design, fabricate and ship glass stair treads for his home. The design of his steel spine and tread supports was discussed, as well as how to best illuminate these treads AND hide the wiring. Minimalism requires critical engineering to minimize the appearance and keeping the wiring to a minimum. This was done by placing small holes in the steel spine and conducting these individual stair step LED wires up to a collimation point where they could be centrally controlled for color and intensity. This was no ordinary client…he is a Visual Effects Executive Producer with over 150 movies to his credit including “Iron Man”, James Bond “Skyfall”, “Avatar”, “Ad Astra’.

Needless to say, producing special effects for his and his glass stairs would have to be a state-of-the-art design.

The results speak for themselves…a spectacular glass stair case with unlimited color options to create any mood desired.

Our stairs are permanently back-painted opaque silver to eliminate any visuals from beneath the glass treads, as well as reflect the LED lighting dramatically against our wavy textured glass stair treads.
We have created glass stair treads without using backpaint, and they are 2 completely different looks. We like using the backpaint because it hides the glue used to secure the treads, and is a lot more forgiving.

We are capable of producing from scratch any type of custom steel or stainless steel stair structure you can envision, ship, and install anywhere in the USA…making sure that it meets your local codes as well.

These are a tremendous complement to any home that is also interested in glass bar tops or glass countertops.

We recently completed a Spiral stair case with Glass Stair Treads in St Petersburg, FL...click here to see more.

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes custom glass stair treads?

Downing Designs can create glass stair treads in any thickness, any texture and add LEDs to your treads.

Where can I find pictures of custom glass stair treads with LED lighting?

Go to Downing Designs Glass Stair Treads page here

Can I buy Glass Stair Treads that are made in the USA?

Yes. Downing Designs makes Glass Stair Treads in Tampa, Florida. Visit them here

Give us a call at (813) 784 5211 to discuss further your vision for a modern steel and glass stair case.

Jeff Downing

DowningDesigns.com
(813)784-5211

Jeff Downing

Founder, Lead Designer & Custom Glass Countertop Expert
Jeff Downing of Downing Designs, is a Tampa Florida–based design studio specializing in custom Glass Countertops, Glass Bar Tops, Glass Vanity tops and Glass Stair Treads. With decades of hands-on experience, Jeff is widely recognized for delivering textured glass surfaces integrated with LED lighting to create dazzling abstract statement pieces.

"Glass. Lights. Ambiance".