Pattern Glass:
What You Need To Know
When choosing glass, whether for your home or your business, you have a multitude of choices. For example, window glass can be tinted or treated for energy efficiency, while storefront glass comes in a range of strengths for durability and safety.
In commercial and residential applications, glass fixtures offer many possibilities for pattern glass. This opaque variety of glass enclosure not only provides an elegant form of privacy but can add a unique character and stylistic touch to an interior.
What is Pattern Glass?
There are a few ways to obtain a pattern glass look, including pattern window films. However, for the highest quality and tailored look, B & L Glass offers custom-fabricated, high-quality glass that has been altered chemically or mechanically to provide the desired custom finish.
Pattern glass is produced through processes such as acid etching or sandblasting. Both of these processes result in a surface that breaks up and scatters the light passing through the glass, creating an obscured visibility or translucence.
Acid etching uses hydrochloric acid to create different degrees of opacity on the glass.
The acid is applied to one or both sides of clear, low-iron, or colored float glass. The acid “etches” the glass surface by breaking it down until the desired translucent look and feel is achieved. Etching is also used to create a variety of decorative patterns.
The other process used is sandblasting, which is done by applying sand to the surface of the glass. In a similar fashion to etching, sandblasting glass plates can be used to create stylish patterns that enhance the glass’s aesthetic appeal. High-pressure blasting with sand or other abrasive materials allows the particles to etch the surface of the glass to obtain the desired pattern and overall design.
Common Varieties of Pattern Glass Effects
Typically, pattern glass can be produced with different textures and patterns for a variety of styles and uses. Among the more common finishes are water effect glass, ribbed glass, and patterned glass.
Water Effect
Pattern glass panels etched with water-like patterns create a translucent, “wet” look that lets in natural light while providing privacy. This glass is perfect for shower enclosures, restaurants, or other areas that can benefit from lightly patterned glass.
Ribbed Effect
Featuring thin, subtle ribs or ripples to give a decorative finish with a medium level of privacy, ribbed pattern glass is often used for contemporary front doors, door sidelights, interior divider wall panels and more.
Patterned Glass
Some pattern glass sheets feature abstract patterns, geometric shapes, or classic decorative motifs, adding xxxgiving pattern glass elegant privacy with style.
Benefits of Pattern Glass
While pattern glass is a much greater investment than other types of architectural glass products, there are also several significant benefits and added value attributed to pattern glass, including:
Increased Privacy
This is a great benefit for a corporate design that calls for glass wall panels and doors. To ensure the desired level of privacy, our clients can choose the degree of opacity needed for their pattern glass.
Versatility
Decorated or simple, functional pattern window panels can be installed just about anywhere in a structure. A well-planned and executed design using pattern glass can achieve the perfect balance between privacy and stylistic appeal.
Energy Efficiency
Pattern glass helps maintain ideal indoor temperatures as more sunlight is filtered through the glass during the day than with clear glass. This allows for reduced energy use and significant savings on energy bills throughout the year.
Easy to Clean
Pattern glass can be easily wiped clean with a cloth. Unlike clear glass, pattern glass does not streak easily because its surface is textured.
Enhanced Aesthetics
Pattern glass is attractive and can add elegance and style to any space. Professionally-installed pattern glass holds onto its beauty for years, making it a great decorative choice for enhancing the room it’s installed in.
Using Pattern Glass for Your Office Environment
Installing pattern glass walls and partitions in your workspace can create an open and bright atmosphere to work in. The natural light it lets in allows the space to feel larger as well as more stimulating, increasing the potential for higher productivity. Furthermore, this natural light helps reduce reliance on artificial lighting, which can lead to reduced building energy loads and a smaller carbon footprint.
While pattern glass is transparent enough to allow light through, that does not mean that privacy is eradicated. Pattern glass is typically at least partially opaque, providing the brightness of natural light without sacrificing privacy.
Common Pattern Glass Products
Along with storefront glass and bathroom windows, pattern glass installations can be used in many other applications. Here are a few of the more common pattern glass products installed for commercial structures:
Interior Pattern Glass Walls
The popularity of the International Style for commercial architecture has led to multitudes of corporate facilities with glass fronts and largely glass interiors, as well. Commercial pattern glass wall systems are extensively used throughout corporate, healthcare, educational, retail, and other commercial interiors.
Multi-Panel Pattern Glass Doors
Interior and exterior pattern glass doors can include bi-fold systems, hinged doors, pocket doors, and sliding doors, as well as folding walls, demountable partitions or fixed panels. Pattern glass door panels allow an ample amount of natural light through while providing versatile access, privacy, and a unique and personalizable aesthetic.
Pattern Glass Handrails
Glass handrail designs are stylish and functional installations for large commercial spaces, office environments and even luxury homes. Pattern glass panels with handrails provide elegance and luxury to any well-appointed space, as well as multi-level areas, such as interior balconies or on staircases.
Professional Pattern Glass Installers
Because pattern glass products represent a significant investment in a home or commercial structure, it is important to choose a reputable, professional glass installer. Here are some points to consider when making a choice:
- Professional commercial glass contractors will inform you of glass options and make reliable recommendations.
- Commercial pattern glass installers can offer a variety of options of styles and designs for your glass needs.
- One mark of a good commercial glass company is after-project support. Quality pattern glass installation requires more than simply putting it in. A quality contractor will actually follow up after the job to ensure the integrity of the installation.
In addition, quality, professional contractors have significant experience ordering or fabricating custom pattern glass products, as well as installing them.
Pattern Glass Fabricator & Installer Near You
Finding the right glass company for your needs is simple when you call B & L Glass, one of Santa Rosa’s best glass companies. Our team of highly skilled technicians has a passion for glass installation and for the satisfaction of a job well done. Delivering robust solutions for all kinds of clients, B & L Glass has the skills and professionals necessary to execute your ideas to the highest level.
With the attention to detail needed for custom pattern glass installations and the capability of working on large-scale projects, we offer the most reliable path to outcomes you’ll love.
Contact us today to learn more about what makes us different and to discuss your project with our team.