Glass is a super-popular material in the construction industry. Buildings, nowadays, have windows, doors, walls, partitions, ceilings, and whole facades made up of glass. The rule says, “More the glass content in a building, the better the property value.” There’s a catch, though.
Glass sure allows the light to flow in but it also enables the people to have a view into the building. We can call it a privacy breach as anyone can have a peek into the building. You don’t need to worry though. Different types of privacy glass are easily available that allow light to pass through but block the direct view into the interior. Let’s explore more about privacy glass.
What is privacy glass?
As the name suggests, privacy or opaque glass is a special type of glass that is acid-etched, sandblasted, frosted, or tinted by the manufacturer with the aim to obstruct the view through the glass. A layer is added to the glass to increase the privacy value without compromising the ability of the glass to transmit light.
Where Do We Need to Install Privacy Glass in Homes and Offices?
The extent of using opaque or frosted glass in homes and offices depends on your requirements. You can either go all private or keep it basic. However, there are some common places where privacy or sandblasted glass is typically used.
In homes, homeowners prefer their external windows and main doors to be opaque. The shower enclosure is another place where opaque glass frequently finds its application. Kitchen cabinets also usually employ privacy or frosted glass to hide the mess inside (pun intended here!).
Offices or commercial buildings are the hotspots for privacy or frosted glass. Offices require high privacy in cabins, meeting rooms, and conference areas so opaque glass is beneficial there. So, office walls, doors, cabin partitions, meeting rooms, and conference rooms employ opaque glass in them.
Types of Privacy Glass
Now you don’t need to get heavy drapes and blinds to block the view into the building. Choose from the different types of opaque glass and make your space super-private. Some of the main types of opaque or frosted glass are as follows.
1. Translucent Glass
Translucent glass has a layer of frosting that is responsible for scattering and diffusing light. The light can easily pass through the translucent glass. However, the layer of frosting scatters the light passing through and distorts the inside view, thus, providing privacy. Translucent glass is mostly used in shower enclosures, bathroom doors, walk-in wardrobes, and even in creating small reading corners by the terrace.
2. Textured glass
As the name implies, textured glass has a textured surface. The design or pattern is engraved on the glass sheet. It falls under the category of privacy as well as decorative glass due to the design etching.
The design in the textured glass diffuses the light and deforms the inside view. The decorative feel of the textured glass is an added quality. Thus, it is used to complement the interior and provide better privacy. The textured glass comes in a wide variety of designs and patterns. So, you can use It to give an ethnic feel to the interior.
3. Tinted glass
Tinted glass is actually crystal-clear glass in which a tint is added to make it opaque. Like textured glass, tinted glass is also used as a decorative glass. Different color options make tinted glass an aesthetic addition to the interior. The privacy value increases with the color content. The more tint in a glass sheet, the better its ability to block the view. Similarly, darker tints are more effective in reinforcing privacy as compared to lighter tones. Tinted glass gives a dramatic look to the interior and serves as a focal point.
4. Smoked glass
Just like tinted glass, smoked glass is also crystal clear. It is darkened to give it a high privacy value. Smoked glass works just like tinted glass. The only difference is in appearance. Unlike tinted glass, smoked glass only comes in one color, dark smoky that is. Apart from the privacy value, smoked glass has an aesthetic feel to it. With black metal framing, it gives an uber-chic look and feel to the interior. Smoked glass is mostly used in bedroom doors, partitions, and wardrobe doors.
5. Glass blocks
Most homeowners use glass bricks in the building complemented with lights. They aesthetically diffuse the lights and create an exceptional ambiance. They are thick blocks of glass that effectively block the view. When put together on a wall, they offer exceptional charm and magnificence. They are also effective against noise pollution, weather severities, and excessive energy consumption.
Where to Buy Quality Glass?
When it comes to buying opaque glass, make sure to verify its quality. There are plenty of online glass suppliers that source quality glass products. Glass Genius is one such online source. The company provides a platform for world-class glass fabricators and suppliers to share their products and services. You can ditch the hassle of going from market to market in search of the right products. Just get in touch with a suitable glass supplier and get your desired products at your doorstep.