Over 66 Years of Excellence:
The Rex Glass & Mirror Journey
Rex Glass & Mirror was founded in 1958 under the original name Rex Paint & Glass. Joseph Rectenwald and his sons Joe Jr., Donald (Wils), and Charlie started our fledgling company on a quiet stretch of R19 in Peters Township, a small strip of land that would one day become a commercial hub.
By 1980, our name had changed to Rex Glass & Mirror to reflect the shift away from paint and towards residential, commercial, and auto glass. We would narrow our focus once more in the late ’80s when demand for our skilled work in custom shower doors, mirrors, and other residential and commercial projects led Rex to remove auto glass from our offerings.
As our reputation for craftsmanship, services, and quality grew, so did our business. Donald (Wils) welcomed sons Don Jr., Scott, and Bill into the fold, soon followed by Jay Addleman, the first non-family-member in Rex’s growing team.
When Joe Jr. passed away in 1985, Donald Jr. stepped up to the role of president. Over the next ten years, Rex Glass & Mirror flourished, outgrowing our South Hills location and expanding into a new production facility and showroom in Kennedy Township.
Don Jr. would continue to run the company for 30 more years before stepping down from day-to-day operations. In 2012, his son-in-law Mike Schmitz was named president. Under his watch, Rex expanded into a third location in Shadyside, though this location eventually closed as Rex’s focus shifted to expanding north.
That northern growth led to the opening of our flagship showroom in 2021. This Zelienople location is our most expansive yet, showcasing our many years of artistry and expertise.
Since our humble beginnings on that small strip of Route 19, we have thrived due to the outstanding support of the community as well as our loyal and talented team of employees, whose exceptional customer service and technical proficiency are our truest assets.
Today, Rex Glass and Mirror continues to provide the Greater Pittsburgh area and tri-state region the best service and craftsmanship in the business.