The Types And Benefits Of Frosted Glass
Frosted glass can be used in many different ways in the home: for shower screens, bathroom windows, glass-panelled doors and also in countless other spaces. The cloudiness of the glass not only provides privacy but it also beautifully decorates rooms. Two methods are commonly used to create the frosty effect.
Acid-Etched Glass
Acid etching is a technique wherein an acid, usually hydrofluoric acid, is applied to the glass surface; the acid reacts with the glass, corroding and pitting one side. To create specific decorations, the chosen patterned stencil is affixed to the glass to control which areas are most affected by the acid. Numerous stencils are available to create hundreds of different patterns, and you can also choose the glass translucency. Frosted glass looks cloudy rather than transparent because the pitted surface scatters or diffuses the light passing through.
Sand-Blasted Glass
Another method of producing a frosty effect is through sandblasting. Just like acid etching, this process erodes one side of a glass sheet rendering it translucent, but the plan of attack is different. With sandblasting, sand particles (or other abrasive materials) are blasted at the glass by a high-velocity machine, pitting and eroding the surface. To create specific textures, again, a stencil or mask is first applied to the glass to protect some areas while exposing others. The velocity of the sandblasting, the particle size and the length of treatment all affect the final result.
Benefits Of Frosted Glass
While frosted glass presents a beautifully decorated surface, it also provides other benefits. Etched glass allows diffused light to flow through so you can see shapes and shadows rather than details, thus giving privacy while not blocking off the light completely. For this reason, frosted glass is ideal for shower screens and bathroom windows, and also for glass-panelled doors. Frosted glass can be used on windows preventing the need to close curtains or blinds, blocking glare but filtering through a soft, comfortable light. Also, when installed as a splashback, the frostiness adds an attractive accent to a kitchen. The vast array of stencils and masks available to create different effects allow you to coordinate with traditional, modern or any other home style.
Glass is already a beautiful substance, and frosting brings an additional decorative aspect to it. Frosted glass is handy for providing privacy while maintaining light flow in a room. Either method, acid etching or sandblasting, provides attractive results; one way is chemically based and the other is a more mechanical process not involving the use of acids. Residential building construction contractors can provide more advice on how to use frosted glass in the home.