There are many different terms for glass, and some are used interchangeably, adding to the potential confusion. Frosted and Obscure glass may be spoken of in the same breath, but there are differences.
Frosted glass is a type of obscure glass. Several distinct styles of glass fit under the umbrella term of ‘obscure glass’, but they differ in privacy and light transmission, applications, and maintenance. Obscure glass is any glass that distorts or obscures objects from view, including frosted glass. Simply put, frosted glass will always be obscure glass, but obscure glass is not always frosted.
Frosted glass is made in one of two ways:
Sandblasting: This technique involves blasting sand and other rough particles onto the glass – either by hand or using a high-speed machine – to create a design. You can choose the level of opacity, but the surface remains slightly rough.
Acid etching: Acid-etching uses an abrasive acid solution to etch the glass. More finishes and levels of transparency are possible, and you get a smooth surface.
Both techniques give the frosted glass a higher level of opacity and, therefore, privacy, than other types of obscure glass, such as satin glass.
Sandblasted glass offers better light transmission than acid-etched frosted glass.
Privacy and Light Transmission:
Different obscure glass styles or patterns offer different levels of privacy and light transmission. The level of obscurity and privacy is measured on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the least obscure, and 5 being the most obscure.
With frosted glass, you can measure the transparency on a gradient. 10% – 20% is a light frosting achieving low opacity and you can go all the way up to 100% gradient, which is completely opaque glass.
Perhaps the most popular type of obscure glass is satin glass. As the name suggests, satin glass has a smooth finish and tends to have a low opacity rating. At the other end of the scale, you have textured glass, which typically offers a 3-5 privacy level.
Traditional leaded glass is another type of obscure glass featuring designs and colours. It is popular for entrance doors.
The opacity level may also reduce the light transmission, but usually only marginally.
Be aware the level of opacity may lessen when it is dark outside and a light is shining on the glass from the inside.
Applications:
Where and how you plan to incorporate obscure glass into your home may influence the type and level of obscurity you choose.
For example, if you are using large panels of glass in a front or back entrance door, you may want to use glass with a high level of obscurity, such as textured glass. You can also make sure it is laminated glass for extra security.
At Manchester Window Factory, we offer Pilkington Texture Glass, a collection of 18 designs ranging from new Reeded glass with a privacy level of 2 up to Everglade with its level 5 privacy rating.
Bathroom windows and shower screens are often frosted to create a sense of privacy while still allowing light to flood in.
If you want to add decoration to an internal space, such as glass bricks or internal doors, the level of opacity may not be so important, so level 1 glass may be used.
Words, logos, and images can be embedded in frosted glass, making it ideal for commercial applications such as office doors and meeting rooms.
Maintenance and Cleaning:
All glass needs regular cleaning to retain its light transmission and for general cleanliness, health and safety.
Your maintenance and cleaning will depend largely on where and how you have used the frosted or other type of obscure glass. For example, frosted glass in a shower screen may require more frequent cleaning than a top panel in a front door.
Not only will cleaning your shower screen keep your bathroom sparkling, but it’s also important to prevent condensation, mould and mildew from forming.
Most glass can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth. Be sure to clean the frames and any tracks if the glass is in a door.
Sandblasted glass is more prone to fingermarks, so it may require more cleaning than acid-etched glass and other types of obscure glass.
All our windows come with a 10-year insurance-backed warranty for your peace of mind but can last much longer with proper maintenance and regular cleaning.
Pros and Cons:
Pros of frosted glass
- Versatile
- Good light transmission
- Privacy and security
- Can be tempered for extra strength
- Pretty and decorative
- Can help soundproofing slightly
Cons of frosted glass
- Although highly unlikely, frosted glass has the potential to explode when the temperature differs greatly
- Can have a slightly uneven surface
- Some kinds of frosted glass get dirty faster and are susceptible to fingerprints
Choosing the Right Glass for Your Needs with Manchester Window Factory:
At Manchester Window Factory, we offer a wide range of sliding sash windows, casement windows and doors which can be fitted with obscure glass.
Let us know your requirements, tastes and budget, and our expert CERTASS-registered team will help you make the right decision for your home.
Whether it’s maintaining your privacy with a frosted bathroom window, maximising security to a home office or adding interest to an internal room divider, we can help.
Obscure glass is just one of the many innovative glazing options we have available to ensure you can create your ideal windows and doors. We also have an in-house team of experienced fitters to take care of the installation for you, should you require it.
To discover more about our full range of products and services, email [email protected] or call us at 0161 976 4739 to request a callback. Alternatively, pop into our Altrincham showroom for a face-to-face consultation. You will find the latest opening times on our website.
