INTRODUCTION

While roaming around your workspace, showering in your shower space and sitting in your meeting room, you might have come across a textured glass. Beautiful and aesthetically pleasing yet serving a major purpose of providing privacy.

What is it?

This textured glass is frosted glass. Have you ever wondered how it is made and how it is a crucial part of your daily life?

To get the answer, read this blog further.

WHAT IS A FROSTED GLASS

When obscure glass is acid etched at one end so that a pitted surface can be created, it turns into the frosted glass. Thus, frosted glass is just another type of obscure glass.

The basic purpose of this etching process is to make the glass translucent. The glass does transmit light but in shattered form.

The basic difference between a frosted glass and a clear glass is that the former is transparent and translucent. This is the reason why this type of glass is used for privacy enhancement purposes.

HOW IS A FROSTED GLASS MADE

There are several ways to make frosted glass. Some methods are temporary and less durable, while some are permanent and, therefore, more durable. The three main manufacturing methods that are used these days are:

AcidEtching method

Acid is an abrasive substance. As the name suggests, the acid-etching method requires the use of acid. Acid alters the surface of the glass and makes it opaque.

It also gives the glass its soft look. However, the acid is applied on just one side of the pane and not on both sides.

The acid used in this method is hydrofluoric acid. The acid application is followed by thoroughly washing the glass, leaving behind permanently etched glass.

Sandblasting

Another technique used to produce frosted glass is sandblasting. As the name suggests, in this technique, sand is blasted onto a glass surface. This blasting is done with the help of a high-velocity machine.

You might be thinking that sand is not an abrasive material, but how does it alter the surface of the glass? The answer is simple:

It’s the high velocity of the machine.

The speed with which sand is blasted on the glass surface creates abrasions. These abrasions alter the surface of the glass and make it opaque.

An added advantage of this method is that, in comparison to the acid etching method, you can control the abrasion level by controlling the velocity of the machine.

Frosted Window Film

Compared to the acid etching and sandblasting techniques, the window frosting technique is less durable and temporary. This method can be applied to any existing glass. It requires the pasting of a frosted window film on one side of the clear glass.

Frosted window film is a decorative film made of unique formulations of poly-based plastics. After application, it gives the same translucent or opaque effect as frosted glass.

DIFFERENT PURPOSES FOR USING FROSTED GLASS

From commercial architectural applications to frosted window films, there are several ways in which you can use frosted glass. From decoration to adding to privacy, the use of frosted glass serves several purposes.

Decorative Purpose

Decorative frosted glass can add to the aesthetic sense of a particular place. It has patterns in the form of dots and lines. Such intricate patterns can add to the beauty of a place. Mostly used on doors and windows, frosted glass can also have logos and brand names printed on it.

Privacy Purpose

This is a unique feature of the frosted glass. By becoming translucent from just one side, frosted glass adds privacy to a room, building or facility without blocking the view completely.

This is why frosted glass can be installed in bathroom windows and meeting rooms. Frosted glass partitions are mostly used in offices to provide separate spaces for employees. This makes the office spaces more private yet less congested.

Shower screens in bathrooms are mostly made of frosted glass. It not only adds to the bathroom’s modern look, but it has one more advantage. The frosted glass partition is corrosion-free and mold-free. Thus, it is ideal for use inside a bathroom.

Controlling Light Transmission

By controlling light transmission through it, frosted glass reduces the glare produced by light. That is why it is considered to be a better alternative to curtains and drapes.

Sunlight, when it enters a frosted glass, scatters around the space, making a more soothing and lightening impact. It makes working on the other side more comfortable and makes the area look more spacious.

BENEFITS OF FROSTED GLASS

Other than privacy and decoration, frosted glass serves many notable purposes:

As compared to ordinary glass, it has more strength. This makes it more durable as well.

• It gives long-lasting performance because of easy maintenance. Just wipe it with a slightly damp cloth. Then dry it with the help of a newspaper, and voila!

In terms of size, shape and color, it is easily customizable. It is easily adaptable to any size of the room and color. Just like any other personalized product, it is more desirable.

• The impact of natural light it creates is more soothing. Its translucent capability stands between a hard brick and a clear glass. It is neither as opaque as a brick nor as transparent as a glass. Therefore, it creates a natural, bright environment that is more bearable.

Another benefit of using frosted glass is that it provides protection. It is usually installed in such areas where the installation of clear glass can be dangerous.

Consider the example of shower areas. This glass provides extra protection because of the laminating layers. Hence it is stronger than ordinary glass. In case someone slips he or she will be safe from getting hurt by glass breakage.

CONCLUSION

The various important purposes and advantages of frosted glass have made its crucial importance undeniable. Durable, customizable and easy to maintain, this glass is a basic element of building facilities, workspaces and what not.

Easily installable frosted glass is the most decorative and aesthetically pleasing way to get privacy. Also, it’s more durable and affordable if purchased from a trusted glass manufacturing company.