Rex Glass & Mirror

62 Years & Counting

In 1958, Joseph Rectenwald Sr. started Rex Paint & Glass on a remote parcel of land along Route 19 along with his sons Donald Rectenwald Sr., Joseph Rectenwald Jr., and Charles Rectenwald. During this time, Rex Paint & Glass grew each year as the South Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh continued to expand. Thanks to the demand for residential housing and commercial storefronts, glass quickly became a significant part of Rex’s business.​

During the 1960s, the sons of Donald Rectenwald Sr., Scott, Bill, and Donald Jr., all worked for the business on Saturdays and during summer vacations. Eventually, Scott Rectenwald discovered he had a natural talent for glass installation and permanently joined the company after a year of college. Similarly, Donald Jr. and Bill both joined the company after college.

By the end of the 1970s, the company stopped selling paint and began to focus exclusively on glass. The changing of the name to Rex Glass & Mirror was officially marked in 1980 when the famous Route 19 sign, where Don Sr. would display witty sayings such as "Math Teachers Have Problems," was erected. Though sometimes controversial, the sayings helped build tremendous brand awareness.

When Joseph Rectenwald Jr. passed away in 1985, Donald Jr. became the majority owner and president. Over the next 10 years the company grew at a rate that eventually required expansion. Thus in 1996, the 108 Kisow Drive headquarters opened featuring a new showroom, offices, and a full production facility.

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