Types of frosted glass
- Posted by:
- Admin
- Tags:
- Acid etched, Sandblasted glass, frosted glass
- Posted date:
- 15-07-2019
Frosted glass is widely used in a range of properties and interior design styles, from authentic traditional country pubs to contemporary offices. Though glass is typically chosen for its transparency, the contrast of translucent frosted glass can be used to generate interest on a single surface and add an extra layer of depth to the overall integrity of the design.
Traditionally, frosted glass is created by eroding the surface of the glass panel with a strong corrosive acid, a process known as acid etching, which is explained in further detail below. However, as technology advances, there are now several methods to create frosted glass, each with their merits:
Q: Why should I have frosted glass?
A: As mentioned above, frosted glass has a translucent appearance; this can be manipulated to create intricate images and patterns. Furthermore, it can help to protect the privacy as it obstructs the transparency of the glass.
Acid-etched
Developed in the 18th Century, acid-etched glass was widely popular in the Victorian era and can be seen adorning windows and doors of traditional public houses. Due to the dangers of working with a strong corrosive substance, it's very rare to find an artist who still uses the traditional method.
Though there are other methods of creating frosted glass, acid etched glass creates the most intricate images as you can precisely control the level of corrosion to create depth within the design.
Sandblasted
One of the most common modern methods of creating frosted glass, sandblasted glass is created by blasting the surface of the glass with sand and similar abrasive materials to create the frosted appearance.
It's an efficient way of creating large panes of frosted glass, or simple designs such as geometric shapes.
Translucent Film
This is one of the easiest ways of creating a frosted appearance on the glass; instead of actually damaging the surface of the glass, a translucent film is simply applied to the surface, a little bit like a sticker.
Not only is this method non-permanent unlike the rest, you can also apply a range of designs, including intricate patterns and bespoke designs; additionally, it's much more cost-effective than the other methods.