As a decorative flat glass fabricator in Chicago, Skyline Glass has specialized in creative architectural products since 1983. Our Midwest manufactured architectural glass supports LEED certification, healthy building standards, and custom design goals for commercial, institutional, and public projects.
An Evolving Legacy
In 1983, Charlie Rizzo founded Skyline with a $5,000 loan from his father and a vision to blend craftsmanship with purposeful design. Early on, the company made its mark in thematic fabrication, producing unique installations such as sarcophagi for the Luxor Casino in Las Vegas, a giant bagel for a Chicago bakery, and life-size figures for sports stadiums.
Along with the development of our decorative architectural glass techniques, one of Skyline’s early innovations, Lumicast, was a poured resin product embedded with natural fibers and imagery. But mounting concerns over the environmental and health impacts of fiberglass and resin led us to rethink our materials.
In the early 2000s, we shut down our fiberglass operations and committed fully to what we know is one of the most sustainable and versatile building materials available—glass.
Why Glass?
Glass is inherently sustainable. It’s chemically inert, zero-emission, endlessly recyclable, and requires no harsh chemicals for maintenance. At Skyline, 98% of our products are crafted from Vitro Starphire® glass, a domestically made, Cradle-to-Cradle Certified, and Red List Free material.
Made to Last
Compared to alternatives like resin, our custom decorative glass panels deliver superior performance and sustainability:
- Custom sizing up to 72″ x 144″, minimizing material waste, extra costs, and installation time.
- Rigid and structurally self-supporting, no extra hardware or framework required.
- Highly durable and scratch-resistant, ideal for healthcare and high-traffic environments.
- Nonporous, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, supporting infection control protocols.
- Backed by a 5 to lifetime warranty, compared to resin’s shorter life span.
As an eco-friendly glass manufacturer in Chicago, we take pride in offering sustainable solutions that are built to last.
Investing in People
Being a sustainable manufacturer also means supporting our community. Our Chicago-based workforce reflects the strength and diversity of our city, with over half of our employees staying for more than five years. We actively support:
- Refugee job placement through RefugeeOne and Heartland Alliance.
- Employment for individuals with developmental disabilities via Association House.
- Re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Educational partnerships with Chicago Public Schools and the University of Chicago.
And inside our 150,000-square-foot Humboldt Park facility, we provide below-market rent to artists and local creatives, fostering a vibrant and inclusive maker community.
Local Manufacturing, Global Responsibility
We manufacture all Skyline Glass products right here in Chicago, minimizing our environmental footprint with smart, efficient operations:
- Locally sourced materials: Glass from the Midwest and East Coast, wood from Canada, and paint/inks from Chicago.
- In-house decorative processes, reducing shipping emissions and enhancing quality control.
- Advanced emission and air filtration systems to protect workers and neighborhoods.
- Closed-loop water centrifuge system to clean and recycle process water.
- Facility-wide energy efficiency upgrades, including LED lighting and low-flow fixtures.
- Commitment to solar energy by 2030 at our Humboldt Park facility.
Sustainable Glass Processes Across the Board
Our manufacturing techniques go beyond compliance—they lead in innovation:
- Vitracolor® back-painting using locally made, water-based, low-VOC paints.
- Eco-etch® – a chemical-free etching method using recycled aluminum oxide, preserving glass recyclability.
- Digital ceramic frit printing with REACH-compliant, heavy-metal-free inks.
- EVA smart glass laminates, boosting energy efficiency and durability.
These techniques support our Clean Air GOLD Certification and help projects qualify for LEED credits in multiple categories.
A Circular Economy and Bird-Friendly Design
Our commitment to sustainability extends to product lifecycle and ecological impact:
- Reusing excess glass and metal from production.
- Recyclable and compostable shipping materials.
- PVC-free decorative films, eliminating harmful chemicals.
- Surface One Eco-etch® bird-friendly glass, tested to significantly reduce bird collisions in urban areas.
Building for the Future
When it comes to sustainable glass manufacturing, Skyline has always been ahead of the curve. If you’re an architect, designer, or contractor looking for high-performance, eco-friendly glass that elevates both aesthetics and environmental responsibility, Skyline is your trusted partner.
Contact Skyline Glass today to discover how our locally made, sustainable decorative glass can bring your next project to life.
