Let There Be Light: 7 Ways With Glass for Light and Privacy
These glass treatments and products will increase privacy without losing natural light
Rebecca Gross
11 November 2018
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Glass windows, doors and walls allow a greater amount of natural light to filter into and through a home, but they also mean that people can see into spaces where you might want a greater degree of privacy. Never fear; these seven ways with glass that allow for the benefits of natural light while helping to maintain privacy.
1. Translucent glass
This style of glass has a frosted appearance and is produced by sandblasting or acid-etching clear sheet glass. By creating a marked surface on one side of the pane, the light is scattered and diffused. The effect is that it blurs images while still allowing light to pass through.
This style of glass has a frosted appearance and is produced by sandblasting or acid-etching clear sheet glass. By creating a marked surface on one side of the pane, the light is scattered and diffused. The effect is that it blurs images while still allowing light to pass through.
Translucent glass windows provide privacy from passersby and/or neighbouring apartments in these two homes. The first helps to create solitude for a small window seat or reading nook; the second provides privacy in the shower and walk-in robe.
The frosted glass effect can also be achieved with the application of vinyl film.
The frosted glass effect can also be achieved with the application of vinyl film.
The effect of translucent glass doesn’t have to cover the full door, as can be seen in these bathroom doors.
The attic of this terrace has been transformed into a bedroom with an ensuite. Instead of enclosing the bathroom with solid doors, glass has been acid etched on the lower two thirds to reduce its transparency.
The attic of this terrace has been transformed into a bedroom with an ensuite. Instead of enclosing the bathroom with solid doors, glass has been acid etched on the lower two thirds to reduce its transparency.
2. Textured glass
Textured glass has a pattern or design impressed into the pane. It adds a decorative touch, obscuring images while allowing light to pass through.
Textured glass comes in a range of patterns. The glass pane next to this front door has a chevron-like design that complements the front gate.
Textured glass has a pattern or design impressed into the pane. It adds a decorative touch, obscuring images while allowing light to pass through.
Textured glass comes in a range of patterns. The glass pane next to this front door has a chevron-like design that complements the front gate.
Textured glass can contribute to the character of heritage homes, as it does in this updated Edwardian villa. The bathroom is adjacent to the study, and the textured glass in the lower pane of the existing windows provides privacy, while the upper pane allows light to filter through.
Take a tour around this house
Take a tour around this house
3. Smoked glass
Smoked glass is clear and therefore doesn’t obscure images, but its darkened colour ups the privacy factor.
Smoked glass is clear and therefore doesn’t obscure images, but its darkened colour ups the privacy factor.
4. Coloured glass
Like smoked glass, coloured glass is also crystal clear, but the colour increases privacy.
Like smoked glass, coloured glass is also crystal clear, but the colour increases privacy.
This rainbow of coloured film on this glass door not only provides a point of interest, but serves as a dramatic focal point, throwing a range of coloured light onto the surfaces like a modern version of a stained-glass window.
Browse more bathroom photos
Browse more bathroom photos
5. Glass bricks
Glass block bricks can serve a dual purpose of being both decorative and functional. With often quite stunning light effects, they allow natural light and visual texture to filter into a home, while helping to maintain an element of privacy. Furthermore, due to their thickness, they reduce noise, insulate against heat and cold, and help to save energy.
Glass block bricks can serve a dual purpose of being both decorative and functional. With often quite stunning light effects, they allow natural light and visual texture to filter into a home, while helping to maintain an element of privacy. Furthermore, due to their thickness, they reduce noise, insulate against heat and cold, and help to save energy.
6. Switchable privacy glass
Switchable privacy glass is a high-tech product that can be switched back and forth between a clear window panel and an opaque panel.
Switchable privacy glass is a high-tech product that can be switched back and forth between a clear window panel and an opaque panel.
The glass has a PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) film that can be electrically switched from an ‘off-state’ (light-scattering or opaque) to ‘on state’ (non-scattering or transparent) – all at the click of a button.
This bathroom has double-glazed switch glass to protect the space from UV rays as well as for increased privacy.
7. Leadlights
Leadlights are decorative windows made of small pieces of glass – clear or coloured, plain, textured, bevelled or etched – enclosed by lead frames.
Leadlights are decorative windows made of small pieces of glass – clear or coloured, plain, textured, bevelled or etched – enclosed by lead frames.
Traditionally seen in heritage houses, they come in a variety of patterns or motifs, and the combination of various glasses as well as the frames helps to obstruct views into a house or space.
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HU-96441120923 So true! I have a ground floor 1930s apartment with period textured glass in the bathroom window. In previous detached homes of similar vintage this has been more than adequate for bathroom privacy. In my current block, however, the path along the back of the building runs right next to the exterior wall, with a fence on the other side. So any of my neighbours walking behind the building can look into the bathroom window from a distance of about 50cm, closer if they wished! At this close distance you can see a lot. It might be blurry or distorted, but even so very little is left to the imagination. Even more so at night. So it's blinds closed for me! I'm looking into a more serious privacy solution for the lower half of the window (above head height when from the outside).
I used an opaque white glass paint to increase privacy on a textured glass in the side lights in my 1966 front door area. Worked well and easy and cheap to apply.
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