Frosted glass

Frosted glass is a glass which has been rendered opaque through a process which roughens or obscures the clear surface of the glass. Frosted glass can enhance the beauty of windows, glass doors, or glass cabinets. This technique adds warmth and style to any décor.

Frosted glass or opaque glass is produced by the sandblasting or acid etching of clear sheet glass. It has the effect of rendering the glass translucent by scattering of light during transmission, thus blurring visibility while still transmitting light.

The frosted glass effect can also be achieved by the application of vinyl film, used as a sort of stencil on the glass surface. "Photo-resist” or photo-resistant film is also available, which can be produced to mask off the area surrounding a decorative design, or logo on the glass surface. A similar effect may also be accomplished with the use of canned frosted glass sprays.

Glass frosting can be accomplished on glass of any colour, and can look quite striking and distinctive. Care should be taken while working with acid to produce frosted glass. Eye and face protection should be worn when making frosted glass.

Various Frostings

A frosted appearance may be given to glass by covering it with a mixture of magnesium sulphate. When this solution dries, the magnesium sulphate crystallizes into fine needles. Another formula directs a strong solution of sodium or magnesium sulphate, applied warm, and afterwards coated with a thin solution of acacia.

A more permanent "frost" may be put on the glass by painting with white lead and oil, either smooth or in stipple effect. The use of lead acetate with oil gives a more pleasing effect, perhaps, than the plain white lead. If still greater permanency is desired, the glass may be ground by rubbing with some gritty substance.

For a temporary frosting, dip a piece of flat marble into glass cutter's sharp sand, moistened with water; rub over the glass, dipping frequently in sand and water.

If the frosting is required very fine, finish off with emery and water. Mix together a strong, hot solution of Epsom salt and a clear solution of gum arabic; apply warm. Or use a strong solution of sodium sulphate, warm, and when cool, wash with gum water. Or daub the glass with a lump of glazier's putty, carefully and uniformly, until the surface is equally covered. This is an excellent imitation of ground glass, and is not disturbed by rain or damp. The production of imitation frosting entails little expense and is of special advantage when a temporary use of the glass is desired.

Manufacturing Process

The frosted glass production requires a thorough cleaning of the glass surface before beginning the frosted glass process.

Frosted glass frosting formula is mixed with wallpaper paste, white powder paint pigment, water, and acid free PVA glue. All ingredients are mixed well, except the glue until having a pudding texture for the frosted glass project. Once this texture is achieved, a drop of glue is added so that the mixture will adhere to the glass.

The stencil should be placed on the glass, using painter's tape to secure it to the glass surface. The frosted glass mixture is applied using a stiff brush over the stencil. This is continued until all of the areas of the glass that we want to turn into frosted glass have been coated.

Applications

• To obtain visual privacy while admitting light.
• Decorative patterns may be imposed upon otherwise plain glass by using wax or other resist to retain transparent areas.
  

A sheet of frosted glass is an excellent privacy aid because it admits light without allowing people to see through it. In medical offices and bathrooms, the use of a curtain or blinds would make a room gloomy and unpleasant to be in. Frosted glass, on the other hand, keeps a room bright and friendly while still allowing people to be comfortable. People may also use frosted glass for privacy in entryways in urban areas.

Commercially produced frosted glass is usually frosted with acid etching or sandblasting. Acid etching is used to make frosted glass with a pattern. Patterned glass sometimes appears in ornamental windows, as well as in glasses, mirrors, vases, and other glassware around the house. The pattern can be simple or extensive, and it may include floral or geometric elements. Sandblasting is used to frost an entire sheet of glass, for installation in places like bathrooms and other areas where people might want privacy.

Patterned glass

Patterned glass is a kind of decorative translucent glass with embossed patterns on one or both surfaces. Pattern Glass or Decorative Glass or Rolled Glass is generally used where privacy or obscurity is desired but light transmission is still important. With the special property of decoration, patterned glass can allow light to pass through, at the same time, it can also prevent clear view. Usually it transmits only slightly less light than clear glass.

Patterned glass is not-perfectly-smooth structure with different patterns impressed on it. The depth, size and shape of the patterns largely determine the magnitude and direction of reflection.

Basically patterned glass has a pattern impressed on one side of the glass which prevents someone from seeing though it, for privacy. Pattern glass can also be ordered in various tints as well. A common application of this sort is when used in privacy walls to separate one room from another.

Rolled Pattern glasses are available in a wide variety of patterns, to add the perfect complement to many interior designs. Heavy patterned glasses provide added strength and support, and are a fast-growing product category. According to customers' requirements, patterned glass can be cut, ground, drilled, tempered, laminated, etc.

Production

Patterned glass is made with a rolled glass process. All rolled patterned glass begins as a batch of materials, including silica sand, soda, and lime. These materials are melted together in a tank, and then the molten glass mixture is fed onto a machine slab. The glass flows under a refractory gate which controls glass volume and speed then moves between two counter-rotating, water-cooled rollers. One of these rollers is embossed, imprinting a distinct pattern onto the soft surface of the glass while the other roller is smooth.

The result is a piece of glass that is patterned and textured on one side, while smooth on the reverse. The distance between the two rollers determines the ultimate thickness of the glass. After it moves between the rollers, patterned glass is annealed or cooled slowly in order to remove any residual stresses. Rolled patterned glass can then be cut into standard sizes or cut into customized sizes for a specific customer application. The glass is then inventoried and ready for delivery.

Applications

Rolled glasses are used in commercial, residential, and specialty applications. End uses include shower doors and tub enclosures including frameless shower doors interior partitions, translucent door and window treatments, foyers and vestibules, patio furniture, shelving, decorative furniture, and lighting fixtures. Comprehensive range of soft natural colours compliments and harmonizes with modern building materials to provide an exciting and different look to new and existing buildings. Pattern glasses are available in large amount of patterns. Patterned glass is most often found in bathroom windows.

Patterned glass is applied to all kinds of public and private places, such as office, meeting room, hotel, hospital, bath room, washroom, etc. It is also widely used as glass table, glass shaft and lampshade and so on. Mainly used in interior partitions, interior design, decorations, street furniture etc.

Wired Glass

Wired glass is a type of glass into which a wire mesh is embedded during production. Wired glass has an impact resistance similar to that of normal glass, but in case of breakage, the mesh retains the pieces of glass. This product is traditionally accepted as a low-cost fire-resistant glass. Wired glass can be tinted by aerosol or electricity. Common colours are golden-yellow, green, light blue and violet-rose.

Wired glass is manufactured primarily as a fire retardant, with wire mesh inlaid in the glass to prevent it from shattering and breaking out under stress or when exposed to high temperatures. With the window intact, the glass keeps the fire at bay, protecting those on the other side from the harmful effects of smoke and flame.

However, in recent times, experts warn against the use of wired glass as a fire-resistant substance. This because although the mesh may prevent the fire from penetrating, by itself it could prove dangerous, being made of fine, sharp wires which can hurt. Today, special fire-resistant glass is available, which is devoid of the wire mesh as a component and can cut off not just the fire but even smoke, gases and deadly radiant heat.

Wired glass is made as a part of the rolled glass manufacturing process. Rolled glass is manufactured by passing molten glass from a furnace through a series of rollers to obtain the desired thickness and pattern. The rolled glass process is used to create wired glass, figured or patterned glass, and art/opalescent/cathedral glass.

Wired glass is produced by continuously feeding wire mesh from a roller into the molten glass ribbon just before it undergoes cooling. A steel wire mesh is sandwiched between two separate ribbons of semi-molten glass, and then passed through a pair of metal rollers which squeeze the "sandwich of glass and wire" together. Wired glass may be further processed by grinding and polishing both surfaces, producing "polished wired glass”.