Knowledge Builders

what is obscure glass windows

by Cynthia Prohaska Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Obscure glass is an umbrella term for any type of glass that obscures or distorts the view through the glass. There is not a single type of glass known as obscure glass, rather, obscure glass can be thought of as a category name for various other types of glass. There are different levels of obscurity in glass.Dec 3, 2021

Full Answer

How do you obscure glass?

Obscure glass is a type of texture that is specifically designed to decrease visibility between two spaces. Most commonly used in bathrooms as well as in offices, it provides you with privacy but at the same time, still allows natural light to flood into your home. You are able to choose how obscure you want your particular glass window to be ...

What is obscure glass?

Uses Of Opaque Glass

  1. Office Partitions. Using opaque glass for partitions can benefit staff and employees in the office. ...
  2. Shower Enclosure. Due to the added privacy, opaque glass is an ideal choice for using as an enclosure in your shower. ...
  3. Windows. Opaque glass windows facing the street can make your house look classier. ...
  4. Doors. ...

How is obscure glass made?

Stippolyte glass is made by glass experts Pilkington. It has a textured finish which obscures light without having a negative effect on the brightness of the interior. The name Stippolyte is taken from the verb ‘stipple’ meaning to create a decorative effect by using many small dots and is often associated with painting, drawing and engraving.

What is an obscure window?

The technical content is quite advanced for what the title suggests. It’s really a Cliffs Notes to the entire automobile, truck, and bus using a a very broad range of progressive technical examples. The best parts of the publication—by a large margin—are the illustrations within.

image

Can you see through obscure glass at night?

It is quite hard to see through, leaving only shadows and vague, fuzzy shapes visible through it. But is a popular choice because it also allows loads of light to flood through, allowing privacy without enforcing darkness onto rooms. Another one of the most common obscure glass types is sandblasted glass.

Can you see through obscure glass window?

An obscure glass window differs from a regular window in its level of transparency. Whereas traditional glass windows are clear and can be easily seen through, an obscure glass window obscures or distorts the view through it at least partially.

What is the difference between frosted and obscure glass?

What is the difference between frosted glass and obscure glass? Obscure glass is a category name for any glass type that offers some level of a reduction in transparency. Frosted glass offer this ability to reduce visibility through the glass and is distinguished by its white opaque frosting.

What does an obscure window look like?

What does obscure mean? Obscure glass of any type distorts or obscures the items on the other side of the glass. Whether this is by using colour, textures or patterns. Obscure glass ranges from offering a very slight distortion to completely hiding the items from view, or revealing only silhouettes.

What is the difference between obscure and translucent glass?

Regular glass is entirely translucent. It should be easy to see through from one side to another. Obscure glass allows light through while blocking your view through the glass.

What can I put on my windows so I can see out but no one can see in?

Contra Vision® White 24/7 Concealed Vision™ is a one way window film that works at night. Most one-way vision films can only provide privacy during the daytime. At night the films become see-through if the inside is illuminated and blinds or curtains are needed.

Do bathrooms need obscure glass?

The first window in your home that you will need to use obscure glass for is your bathroom. It stands to reason that without obscure glass, you cannot achieve the necessary level of privacy for this space. After all, nobody wants passers by to see them in the shower!

What is the most popular obscure glass?

Stippolyte glass's textured surface distorts the natural light which makes it possible to have maximum privacy without affecting the light that enters through the window. This stippolyte glass is one of the most popular types of obscure glazing.

Which glass is best for bathroom windows?

Frosted glass is created by the process of sandblasting or acid etching which leads to creation of a glass surface that is translucent and hazy. This makes frosted glass the ideal material for bathroom windows and partitions, and even shower enclosures!

What does obscure window mean?

Obscure glass is an umbrella term for any type of glass that obscures or distorts the view through the glass. There is not a single type of glass known as obscure glass, rather, obscure glass can be thought of as a category name for various other types of glass.

Is obscure glass toughened?

Can obscure glass be tempered? Yes. You can have the obscure glass tempered to ensure it's reinforced with added strength and minimise shattering. Compared to regular glass, toughened obscure glass is far more challenging to break.

Is frosted glass more expensive than clear glass?

Cost. When it comes to pricing, frosted glass is far more costly, factoring in custom sizings, designs, and installation.

Can you see through a frosted window at night?

Frosted glass, tissue and other materials aren't opaque, but we can't see through them because they scatter light so that that any image seen through them is hopelessly blurred.

Can you see through frosted window film?

Frosted privacy window film cannot be seen through from either side yet it still allows natural light to come into your space.

Is frosted glass transparent?

Materials like frosted glass and some plastics are called translucent. When light strikes translucent materials, only some of the light passes through them. The light does not pass directly through the materials.

Can you see through reeded glass?

Light still passes through the glass, but it is redirected so you cannot clearly see what is going on on the other side of the glass divider. This is an excellent semi-private background glass and mixes well with other glasses used in contemporary front door designs.

How many patterns of obscure glass are there?

There are four primary patterns common to the design of obscure glass. The variety you choose depends on the look you want in your window or door and the level of translucence.

What is opaque glass?

As defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary↗, obscure glass is "a sheet glass made translucent or opaque.". It is carried out by roughening one side of the glass to make it difficult to see through. Regular glass is entirely translucent. It should be easy to see through from one side to another.

What is frosted glass?

Frosted glass is a term with which more people are familiar. It is a type of obscure glass since it limits the view when looking through it. It only reveals a very distorted picture through the other side. It is distinguishable by its opaque frosting on one side, giving it a white shimmer.

Can opaque glass be acid etched?

Patterned. Obscure glass doesn't only have to be a single sheet of plain, opaque glass. It is popular to put in a pattern. They are often plants, like the Flemish, or geometric, like Master Carr é.

Is regular glass translucent?

Regular glass is entirely translucent. It should be easy to see through from one side to another. Obscure glass allows light through while blocking your view through the glass. There are different levels of obscurity.

Can you use regular glass on your windows?

There are numerous ways to add your unique touch to your home. Opting out of using regular glass for your windows is one of the subtle ways to make your mark. With privacy benefits and customization options, opaque glass stands out from the rest and helps your home to do the same.

What is obscure glass?

Obscure glass of any type distorts or obscures the items on the other side of the glass. Whether this is by using colour, textures or patterns. Obscure glass ranges from offering a very slight distortion to completely hiding the items from view, or revealing only silhouettes. Perhaps the most common sort of obscure glass is satin glass.

What are the different types of obscure glass?

What kinds of obscure glass are there? Many kinds of obscure glass exist, from frosted satin glass to textured glass of many patterns and textures. These include decorative glass designs, like patterns incorporating pictures, as well as purely obscuring glass designed only to provide privacy.

What is satin glass?

Immediately distinctive with its smooth, frosted appearance, satin glass is a versatile and popular form of obscure glass.

Why is glass placed under stress?

Thanks to this method, glass is placed under patterns of stress. Which in turn greatly increases the force required to shatter the glass. In addition to this, the stress patterns ensure that the obscure toughened glass breaks into the small rounded pieces typical of tempered glass.

Why is obscure glass tempered?

Luckily, obscure glass can be tempered to improve strength and remove the risk of shattering. Obscure tempered glass requires much more force to break it than ordinary glass. In the event of breakage, safer fragments are found, instead of larger sharp pieces.

How to make frosted glass?

To create frosted glass, regular sheet glass are acid etched to create a pitted surface on one side of the glass. This results in the transparency of the glass pane, which scatters light when it passes through. As a result helping to blur the images but still letting through the light.

Does frosted glass filter light?

Frosted glass applications still allow light to filter in, although images will be distorted for privacy. Although frosted glass still allows a good amount of light to come through, typically it will naturally cut out some of the light due to the pattern and texture.

What Are Obscure Glass Windows?

Obscure glass is a type of glass that is not clear or transparent. This type of glass is also referred to as ”privacy glass” because it conceals, distorts, and “obscures” the view through it and lessens the visibility of the window.

Difference Between Frosted Glass And Obscure Glass

As mentioned, obscured glass is a category name or an umbrella term for any type of glass that has a reduced level of transparency. There is no difference between the two because frosted glass is considered to be a type of obscured glass.

Obscure Glass Window Options

Obscure glass comes in different types and design options. The type or variety does not only affect the overall visual aesthetic of your window but also the level of translucence. Here are some of the obscure glass types of windows options:

Types Of Sandblasted & Acid Etched Obscure Glass

Here we share the types of obscure glass under the sandblasted and acid-etched categories

Types Of Textured Obscure Glass

Here we share the different types of textured obscure glass for bathrooms.

Reflective Glass

Reflective glass can also be classified as a type of obscure glass because it has decreased level of visibility. It allows you to see what is outside very clearly, but from the opposite side, you cannot see in.

Long Lasting Solutions

Your satisfaction means a lot to us. We pay attention to the things that most people are unaware of. Our goal is to take care of your glass or window problem once, so you don’t have to worry about it again. We are a professional company with a personal touch.

About Us

We have been providing residential window installation, replacement and repair services to Western Washington communities for over 2 decades! We know windows.

Service Areas

Locally owned and operated for over two decades. We are proud to serve our fellow Washingtonians throughout King county including Bellevue, Carnation, Clyde Hill, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, Medina, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish and Snoqualmie.

What is pattern glass?

Patterned glass allows light to pass through with little loss of intensity; however, you see shadows instead of details. Different patterns vary the amount of light and visibility. Popular designs include rain glass, glue chip and reed glass. Rain glass. Reed glass Glue chip glass.

What is frosted glass?

Frosted glass was once the only option for obscuring glass. Made by literally sand blasting clear glass and etching it, frosted glass was thin and weak. Then the float process for making modern glass came along. It provides a way to obscure glass during manufacturing without compromising its strength.

How to keep overspray from hitting window?

Simply tape off your window frame to prevent overspray from hitting the window frame, and spray the glass evenly. You can even "etch" a glass door with the name of the room or cupboard it hides, such as "Laundry" or "Pantry," for a trendy decorative touch.

What is the raw material used to make glass?

In the float process the raw materials for glass -- silica, soda ash, lime and broken glass -- are melted in a 3000-degree oven containing a pool of molten tin. The melted glass floats on the tin and overflows.

Is clear glass good for a master bath?

Sure, if you've got a great view, clear glass might be a no-brainer. But if the only view is the one your neighbors have of your master bath, obscure, textured or patterned glass can provide light while allowing you your privacy.

image

1.What Is Obscure Glass | Obscure Glass Windows

Url:https://www.thompsoncreek.com/blog/what-is-obscure-glass/

22 hours ago  · What Types of Obscure Glass Are Available? Frosted Glass. Sometimes called satin glass because of its smooth, white appearance, frosted glass is the most common...

2.What is Obscure Glass? - brennancorp.com

Url:https://brennancorp.com/blog/what-is-obscure-glass/

11 hours ago  · As defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary↗, obscure glass is "a sheet glass made translucent or opaque." It is carried out by roughening one side of the glass to make it …

3.Everything You Need to Know About Obscure Glass

Url:https://www.theglasswarehouse.co.uk/news/everything-need-know-obscure-glass/

30 hours ago  · Obscure glass can be grouped into four broad categories: frosted, ribbed, patterned and bubble effect, each providing different levels of translucence. Satin – or Opal – is a popular …

4.Types Of Obscure Glass For Bathroom Windows

Url:https://designingidea.com/types-of-obscure-glass-for-bathroom-windows/

6 hours ago Perhaps the most common sort of obscure glass is satin glass. Which has been chemically treated to stop it from being transparent, while still allowing light through. Immediately …

5.Obscure Glass - Clear Image Glass - Residential Window …

Url:https://clearimageglass.com/learning-center/obscure-glass/

10 hours ago Obscure glass windows can bring in a lot of visual interest to your home. They are very stylish and can be used to add an interesting decorative feature to your home. However, they do not …

6.Obscure Glass: Window Options for Privacy

Url:https://www.doorandwindow.com/windows/glass-glazing-treatment/obscure-glass-windows-with-mystique.php

28 hours ago Obscure door and window glass protects your privacy but allows abundant light to enter the room. Choices below but not limited to: Sandblast (Satin Etch) Obscured Glass

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9