9 Types of Glass That Let in Light While Maintaining Privacy
From pleasing texture to decorative colour, these options allow spaces to be screened while still feeling airy and open
Rashmi Haralalka
11 May 2021
Houzz India Contributor. I am a blogger who's passionate about writing, especially interior design, home decor, and home improvement. I believe that details are not just details... they make the design. Connect with me on:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rashmi-sharda-b79b8119
Email: rashmiharalalka@gmail.com
Houzz India Contributor. I am a blogger who's passionate about writing, especially... More
Frosted or corrugated, coloured or textured – these types of glass let through diffused light but obscure visibility, giving a blurred vision of what lies behind. Browse these examples, which are perfect for everything from room dividers and shower enclosures to stylish kitchen cabinets.
Frosted or translucent glass
Frosted glass, also known as translucent glass, neatly obscures visibility while still letting in light. It’s made by sandblasting or acid-etching one surface of a clear glass pane, creating tiny indentations that create a semi-opaque finish.
Frosted glass, also known as translucent glass, neatly obscures visibility while still letting in light. It’s made by sandblasting or acid-etching one surface of a clear glass pane, creating tiny indentations that create a semi-opaque finish.
Sandblasting can be controlled to create decorative patterns, such as geometric lines, hatching or swirls. The opacity ranges from mild to heavily blurred.
Reeded or fluted glass
This is a decorative glass with vertical grooves that give it texture and distort the view of whatever’s behind it. It’s also referred to as rippled or ribbed glass.
This is a decorative glass with vertical grooves that give it texture and distort the view of whatever’s behind it. It’s also referred to as rippled or ribbed glass.
Along with partitions, reeded glass is a great option for cabinets. Its subtle surface delicately obscures the view through the glass pane, so the contents of the cupboard look softer, while maintaining a light and airy feel in the room.
You might also like 8 Ways to Use Reeded Glass.
You might also like 8 Ways to Use Reeded Glass.
Stained glass
Decorative stained glass obscures the view even more while still filtering sunlight. It consists of coloured glass pieces precisely cut and arranged to create floral, figured or abstract designs that have a unique, handcrafted look. It can be used in windows, doors or partitions.
Decorative stained glass obscures the view even more while still filtering sunlight. It consists of coloured glass pieces precisely cut and arranged to create floral, figured or abstract designs that have a unique, handcrafted look. It can be used in windows, doors or partitions.
Coloured glass
Glass is coloured by adding different kinds of metallic oxides while it’s in a molten state. The difference between stained and coloured glass is that, while stained glass uses coloured glass to form ornate designs or patterns, coloured glass itself tends to be plain.
Displayed here are coloured-glass slit windows that splash chromatic light inside the house while providing privacy.
Glass is coloured by adding different kinds of metallic oxides while it’s in a molten state. The difference between stained and coloured glass is that, while stained glass uses coloured glass to form ornate designs or patterns, coloured glass itself tends to be plain.
Displayed here are coloured-glass slit windows that splash chromatic light inside the house while providing privacy.
Corrugated glass
Corrugated glass is one of the most resilient and durable glass types. It’s bent into waves in a furnace and is thicker and less likely to shatter than flat glass. Views through are distorted, but it can also be frosted to provide extra privacy.
Corrugated glass is one of the most resilient and durable glass types. It’s bent into waves in a furnace and is thicker and less likely to shatter than flat glass. Views through are distorted, but it can also be frosted to provide extra privacy.
Textured or patterned glass
These glass styles have a design impressed into the pane, lending a decorative touch to a screen. There’s a huge number of patterns to choose from, ranging from barely there to 3D, traditional to contemporary, and you can select the level of privacy you’d like.
These glass styles have a design impressed into the pane, lending a decorative touch to a screen. There’s a huge number of patterns to choose from, ranging from barely there to 3D, traditional to contemporary, and you can select the level of privacy you’d like.
Glass bricks
Decorative and functional, glass bricks let in natural light and provide visual texture to a home. They’re available in different styles, thicknesses and even colours. The advantage with glass bricks is you have the option to create straight or curved walls, which means they lend themselves nicely to shower enclosures, as seen here.
Decorative and functional, glass bricks let in natural light and provide visual texture to a home. They’re available in different styles, thicknesses and even colours. The advantage with glass bricks is you have the option to create straight or curved walls, which means they lend themselves nicely to shower enclosures, as seen here.
Etched glass
Glass etching, also known as French embossing, is the technique of creating art on a glass surface. The design is created by applying acidic, caustic or abrasive substances. Along with restricting views, it adds to the aesthetic appeal of a space.
Glass etching, also known as French embossing, is the technique of creating art on a glass surface. The design is created by applying acidic, caustic or abrasive substances. Along with restricting views, it adds to the aesthetic appeal of a space.
Reflective glass
With this glazing, a metallic coating is applied to one side of the glass to give it a mirror-like appearance. It blocks views inwards from outside, but allows views out while also letting in light and restricting glare. It’s mostly used on facades to create dynamic exteriors.
Tell us…
Have you used any of these glass types in your home? Let us know in the Comments.
With this glazing, a metallic coating is applied to one side of the glass to give it a mirror-like appearance. It blocks views inwards from outside, but allows views out while also letting in light and restricting glare. It’s mostly used on facades to create dynamic exteriors.
Tell us…
Have you used any of these glass types in your home? Let us know in the Comments.
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I like the look of sand blasted glass but it shows finger prints and oily marks.
We had a glass sandblasted door which we replaced because of the marks . I had forgotten!
Thanks for useful informations on modern home glasses