When most people think of the term "etched glass window" they likely picture n their mind a white, frosted effect on the glass, which of course is completely accurate. There are, however, different forms of and techniques for achieving etched glass. At Sans Soucie Art Glass, we use a number of various related terms that help us to be more specific with our clients, about the different effects we apply to the glass and various techniques we use. For example, etched glass can be SOLID, and/or it can have SHADING. In this article, we're going to show examples of both.
- A very accurate example of a true "etched glass window", this window features a border of roses, that have been ETCHED AND SHADED, with the background solid etched glass. These privacy windows do not diminish the amount of light coming into the room, but they do beautifully reduce GLARE.
SOLID ETCHED GLASS can be achieved through both acid etching, as well as etching the glass by sandblasting. At Sans Soucie Art Glass, our primary method of etching the glass is by sandblasting. The simplest form of what we do, would be a simple, solid etching of the glass, over the entire surface. We do this on a regular basis for door or window glass, where all that's needed is a nice, frosted white privacy glass for a window or door.
- Etched Glass Bathroom Privacy Windows, featuring a Diamond Grid Pattern. The etching comes up just far enough on the window to glass to provide the privacy level needed. The top portion is left clear, allowing for visibility which creates a really nice, open feel in the room, while still having the privacy needed in the tub and shower area.
A solid etched design, means that the glass will feature some sort of a design "element", if you will, that is brought out using clear pinstripes, or there's a design element (such as text, or a company logo) that's left CLEAR on the glass. (As seen on the glass panel partitions at the Long Beach Renaissance Hotel, "Renaissance Waves", below. The background has been solid frosted and the waves are left in clear glass. This would be referred to as a "solid etched glass design").
- Etched Glass Door Inserts, SOLID ETCHED rectangles provide a nice degree of obscurity with contemporary feel.
- Etched Glass Panels, restaurant dividers that have been solid (reverse) etched, with an irregular chiseled top edge. This glass is installed inside the Long Beach Renaissance Hotel, in Long Beach, California.
I went through our Windows Gallery this morning, and searched out some of the best examples I could find of a simple, true, "etched glass window" and have posted them in this blog. I'm also demonstrating by placing photos next to one another, of what a SOLID etched glass looks like, verses an etched glass design that also features SHADING. Take a look at the photos of the etched glass mountains: The first photo shows a SOLID ETCHED GLASS technique, the second shows mountains that have been ETCHED AND SHADED. The solid etched, will provide a bit more privacy than the mountains with the shading. "Shading" the glass, is where the sandblast artist leaves a degree of clear glass, lightly fading out the white frosted glass at the edges of design elements. This really creates a beautiful, two dimensional look, EVEN tho this glass is not CARVED. Carving (as seen in the photo of the ROSE) is where the glass is actually sculpted with a design. The artist sandblasts longer and creates a 3 dimensionally, sculpted "relief" texture into the glass.
- Etched Glass Window SOLID ETCHED, negative or reverse etching method. This is a shower window, etched for privacy in a Mountain Landscape design.
- Etched Glass Window SHADED .. glass is surface etched with shading to create a two dimensional effect.
- This photo really represents well, what an "etched and SHADED" design element will look like. These Iris Flowers and Leaves or Reeds are etched and shaded, while the background is solid etched, or frosted. Just a small degree of privacy was needed, in the lower portion of these multi-lite windows.
- An Etched Glass Window, with an Acorn Border design in clear glass. A classic example of a "reverse or negative sandblast".
- At first glance, these sidelites may appear to have Monsterra leaves that are solid etched only, but if you look closely, you'll see that there's some light shading between the leaves.
- An Etched Glass Window with a clear ironwork motif. This window will provide some privacy when viewed from a distance, but of course when the glass is closely approached, visibility will be possible through the wide clear bands.
- Carved Glass Window: My final example, this window is made up of a heavy glass pane, suitable for carvng. The flowers have been beautifully SOLID CARVED. There is no shading, but the glass is not merely "etched", but three-dimensionally sculpture carved. The details in this glass, are absolutely stunning. Click on the photo for additional images of this (as well as all the windows featured in this blog!)
Click on the links below to see a collections of etched glass windows, using the various techniques:
Thank you so much for visiting our blog, and be sure to visit our web site for a lot more great information and hundreds of examples of our work!
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