Behind the Patents: How Leaking Glass Railings Led to Nill’s Game-Changing Technology

Where Did the Idea Behind Nill Building Solutions Come From?

It started with something every builder dreads: a leak. More specifically, glass railings were leaking everywhere—a problem that far too many contractors and homeowners are familiar with.

But the issue wasn’t just with glass railings. Leaks were showing up at attachment points throughout the building envelope—anywhere hardware met the structure. These vulnerable spots allowed water to penetrate and accumulate, causing long-term damage, costly repairs, and structural degradation.

That’s when industry expert Lance Nill had a breakthrough. He envisioned a better way—one that didn’t rely on caulks or surface-level waterproofing. Instead, he sought to reinvent how fasteners are anchored, addressing the problem at its core.

That vision became Nill Building Solutions, a company built to offer stronger, smarter, and completely waterproof attachment systems. But before it became a product line, it needed protection. And that’s where the patent journey began.

Beginning the Patent Journey

Overwhelmed but determined, Lance started where most inventors do—asking for advice. After tapping into his network, he eventually connected with the right patent attorney. But it wasn’t a quick decision. Lance knew that a good patent attorney doesn’t just file paperwork, they defend your invention. They’re your champion, ensuring your intellectual property stands strong in a sea of imitators.

From Concept to Filing: The Technical Gauntlet

With the attorney secured, the real work began. Drafting the application meant detailing every aspect of the invention: what it does, how it works, how it’s different, and why it matters. Every word had to be intentional.

Patent drawings were created, legal searches conducted, and hours were spent making sure the idea wasn’t just new, but defensible. The wording alone could determine whether the patent would be approved—or rejected based on a technicality.

Fortunately, nothing like it existed. The concept of fully waterproof, structural mounts—especially for challenging substrates like wood, concrete, and steel—wasn’t on the market. That uniqueness became the foundation for what would become dozens of successful patents.

Global Expansion (and Paperwork)

There’s no such thing as a global patent. Each country has its own requirements, which makes international protection expensive, tedious, and complex.

Through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), Lance was able to file in multiple countries more efficiently, but the legal and logistical overhead projection remained high. Translator fees, currency exchange rates, foreign counsel, and ongoing maintenance invoices became a weekly reality for the Nill team.

But it was worth it.

Today, Nill Building Solutions holds 40+ patents worldwide, with active filings in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe, and beyond.

Why It Matters

A patent gives you exclusive rights to make, use, or sell your invention for 20 years—but more importantly, it gives you leverage. If someone tries to copy you, you can fight back. And in the building industry, where durability and originality matter, protecting your IP is critical.

For Lance and the team at Nill, it was never about having a patent for the sake of it. It was about solving a problem the right way—and protecting that solution so it could scale, grow, and help builders everywhere.

What Nill Patented Technology Does

Nill’s patented solutions are not just mounts, they’re the fastener for your fasteners. They create a secure, waterproof, and modular attachment point without relying on surface sealants or risky adhesives.

The result?

• Longer-lasting structures
• Fewer callbacks
• Better performance
• Real peace of mind for builders and architects

The Takeaway

Every great company starts with a single idea. For Nill Building Solutions, it was a solution to a leak. But through persistence, innovation, and the protection of intellectual property, that idea to solve a leak turned into a legacy.

Nill Building Solutions is redefining the building envelope—one patented fastener at a time.

Visit www.NillBuildingSolutions.com to learn more.

All Nill Building Solutions products are subject to our Terms of Use, Warranty & Liability Waiver

Our products are protected by U.S Patent Numbers 10,501,939, 11,473,306, 11,591,799, 11,828,066, 11,927,016, & 12,104,344 and/or other U.S. and Foreign patents pending.