Have you ever wished that the accent glass on your home’s front door provided more privacy? Or perhaps you dislike the glare coming through your commercial building’s storefront windows, making the customers uncomfortable.
Glass selection involves more than just taking some measurements and choosing the thickness. There are many options for patterns and tints available to address common issues with windows and doors.
We’ve also got styles that increase the aesthetics and ambiance of your home or office environment.
Tinted Glass
Tints are added to doors and windows to reduce light transmission. New tinting tends to use softer shades that allow for some visibility, combined with the reduction of solar glare.
The two most common shades for tints are bronze and gray, with the bronze tint being the darker of the two. They have the benefit of increasing privacy in places where people may desire an obscured view.
One current trend is using bronze tint for shower doors. The darker tone works well with both silver and gold frames. It is an option to choose when you want more clarity in the glass with a sense of privacy.
Gray shades also help to reduce the effects of sunlight in a room. As they are lighter than bronze, they allow for more of a view. This tint also has the benefit of eliminating glare on computer and television screens.
Tints used in sun-facing rooms further protect furniture and carpet from fading.
Both gray and bronze tints are great for shelves and other areas if there is accent glass in a building.
Glass Patterns
Patterns in glass are made using several different types of manufacturing processes that create a blurring effect. Each different style has a unique aesthetic effect and level of transparency.
Pinhead Glass
This is one of the most versatile styles. Since it is one of the most affordable options, you’ve likely seen this pattern in various places.
Offices often use them on sliding windows and interior doors to let light in without giving people a full view inside.
Pinhead patterns are also great for cabinets, pantries, and other places where you might want to hide the stored items.
Niagara or Rain Glass
People tend to choose this pattern for areas where they want to create a dramatic yet soothing effect.
As its name implies, rain glass gives the appearance of water running down the panes. We often use this in bathrooms to create a spa-like environment. It also works well on front doors to increase curb appeal.
Frosted Panes
This is another popular type that is made by using sandblasting or etching techniques to mottle the surface of the pane. Frosted glass has a higher level of reduced visibility that is beneficial for areas where you want more privacy.
How to Choose a Tint or Pattern
Choosing window and door glass is a personalized process. Every building has unique features and uses that influence which patterns and tints work best in a room.
Before your consultation, think about what you love and dislike about the current glass. Is the room always too hot? Are you worried about people seeing inside?
If it is a new building, make a list of privacy concerns or stylistic preferences for enhancing the ambiance.
We use the answers to these questions and the dynamics of the room to help you find the right style to fit the decor and functionality of the room.
The differences between individual styles may be subtle, but they make a dramatic difference in the aesthetics and comfort of a building. Whether a shower needs more privacy or a need to reduce glare in an office area, we’ve got multiple options to fulfill your needs.
