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Frosted Glass


Frosted Glass
Crafted through sandblasting or acid etching on annealed glass, frosted glass boasts a unique semi-opaque, milky-white appearance, distinguishing it from standard glass. This creates a distinctive frost-like effect making it a sought-after choice for those desiring privacy without sacrificing natural light. Its versatility shines through making it popular in applications such as bathroom shower enclosures and glass doors. Frosted glass offers an elegant solution that seamlessly balances ample natural light with essential privacy while maintaining a modern aesthetic
Customizable Options for Frosted Glass
It’s quite simple. Choose a shape, enter your measurements, select your favorite glass tint, thickness, strength, edge style, etc., and check out your custom-designed frosted glass.


Opaque Glass For All Interior Decorative Needs
Opaque glass is an umbrella term for the types of glass that allow light to filter through while providing a blurred view. It offers an ideal solution for enhancing privacy, style, and aesthetic appeal throughout your home. It's also a great way to bring light into the room — whether used for windows, glass doors, or interior walls. With its diverse range of colors, textures, and designs, discover the perfect option to add privacy and complement your interior décor. While frosted glass is opaque glass, it's important to note that not all opaque glass is frosted, as there are various other varieties available.
Custom Frosted Glass Applications

How is frosted glass made?
This glass is produced by subjecting an annealed glass to a frosting process. Here at Dulles Glass, we use a sandblasting method wherein abrasive materials like sand are propelled at high speeds onto the surface layer through compressed air, creating a frosted look by scratching and texturing the glass.
Another method used is acid etching— this process involves the application of hydrofluoric acid to annealed glass, resulting in a frosted appearance that adds a distinct textured surface to the glass. In the USA, sandblasting is the preferred method for achieving an opaque look, as it aligns better with sustainable practices. Both techniques contribute to production, offering a visually appealing and versatile finish for various applications.


What is frosted glass used for?
Frosted glass is widely used for its versatility in different settings. It's perfect for bathroom settings, offering privacy while allowing light through. In kitchens, it's used for various purposes like table tops, pantry doors, and cabinet doors. Frosted glass is also used for office settings, providing both natural light and discretion for confidential meetings. Beyond these spaces, frosted glass finds its place in industrial applications such as decorative windows, cabinet doors, glass doors, and balustrades, proving its indispensable role in creating both functional and visually appealing environments.


How can you tell if the glass is frosted?
To identify this type of glass, you can rely on both visual and tactile cues. Look closely at the surface; it typically exhibits a semi-opaque, milky-white appearance that sets it apart from regular transparent glass. When light passes through the glass, it creates a shadowy effect on objects behind it. This altered light transmission gives the glass a unique frost-like appearance. Another way to distinguish if the glass panel is frosted is to run your fingers over the glass – it often feels slightly rough due to the frosting process. By combining these observations, you can easily discern whether the glass is a frosted glass.


Can you turn normal glass into frosted glass?
Turning a regular glass into frosted is easily achievable through multiple methods. Traditionally, glass frosting is the common technique, but opting for frosted window film is a more budget-friendly alternative. This DIY solution involves a straightforward application process – clean the glass, cut the film to size, and carefully adhere it, ensuring a bubble-free finish. This cost-effective approach offers convenience and flexibility, allowing you to modify your glass's appearance effortlessly.


Can you see through frosted glass?
This privacy glass is intentionally designed to obscure the view, making it different from clear glass. While you can't see through it in the same way, it doesn't provide complete privacy. The obscuring feature ensures that it never becomes fully transparent. Keep in mind that the effectiveness can be influenced by factors such as lighting. A well-lit room may reduce its obscuring effect, potentially allowing more visibility. During nighttime, people outside might see more definition and color through the glass. While it offers a level of privacy, it is essential to be aware of its limitations in certain lighting conditions.


What is the difference between frosted and rain glass?
The primary distinction between these glass types lies in their appearance and functionality. While the frosted option achieves obscurity through the frosting process, rain glass features a small raindrop pattern cut into one side, offering a decorative alternative. Not only does rain glass resist dirt accumulation and conceal watermarks more effectively, but it also introduces a unique visual effect by distorting dimensions on the other side, making it a versatile choice for various bathroom styles.


Thickness and Edgework
At Dulles Glass, we exclusively offer the 3/8" thickness for our textured variants, including rain and polar glass, providing a robust and durable option suitable for various applications. To preserve the unique texture and aesthetic charm, we use flat polish edgework over beveled or pencil polish. The other options tend to smooth out the texture and disrupt the distinctive design. This meticulous approach to edgework ensures both durability and aesthetic harmony in our textured glass products, offering customers visually striking and long-lasting solutions for their architectural and design needs.
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Frosted Glass FAQs
Frosted glass and obscure glass are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences. Frosted glass is a type of obscure glass that limits visibility by giving it a frosty appearance. It's recognizable by its white, hazy view, ranging from slightly translucent to fully opaque. However, obscure glass is a broader category that includes any glass that distorts or obscures what's behind it.
Frosted glass can help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature by diffusing sunlight, keeping rooms from overheating during summer. It acts like a natural barrier, letting in light while blocking excess heat. In the winter, it also helps by insulating the room against the cold, making it a year-round ally for indoor comfort.
Frosted glass offers decent UV protection to the glass interior by diffusing and reducing UV radiation passing through it, thus shielding the space around it against harmful rays. Though it doesn't completely block sunlight, its textured surface softens the light, reducing glare and providing a diffused indoor illumination. It's a practical choice for spaces needing both UV protection and gentle lighting.
Yes, it is generally more expensive than clear glass. The cost difference arises from various factors such as custom sizing, designs, and installation. If you opt for a custom-made and tempered version, the price can be higher, depending on your specific requirements. The additional processes involved in creating the glass contribute to its higher cost compared to clear glass. If cost is a significant consideration for your project, choosing clear glass might be a more budget-friendly option.
Avoid using abrasive materials such as steel wool, pumice stone, or any cleaning cloth labeled as heavy-duty or abrasive on the glass. These materials are likely to scratch and damage the frosted finish. Additionally, steer clear of harsh chemicals or cleaners containing strong acids or alkalis, as they can also harm the glass. When it comes to keeping your glass surfaces in pristine condition, opt for a specialized glass protection like ClearShield.
No, the etched glass does not fade over time. The frosted texture on the glass is created by abrasive particles that etch the surface, resulting in a rough texture. This frosted effect is 100% permanent and cannot fade or wear away with time. Unlike frosted window film, which may degrade or peel over time, its texture is a lasting and irreversible addition to the glass. The frosted layer ensures that the textured appearance remains unchanged throughout the glass's lifespan and cannot be removed or reversed.
Frosted glass windows are a stylish and versatile choice that seamlessly complements any home decor. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these glass windows offer the advantage of diffusing light, creating a softer and more inviting atmosphere while saving energy by maximizing natural light. Their perfect balance between openness and privacy makes them an ideal option for bedroom windows, contributing not only to a pleasant ambiance but also to long-term energy conservation and cost savings. Decorative windows and door windows also often feature this glass, which is a favored choice for its aesthetic appeal.
Placing an order for your customized glass is a straightforward process. Simply visit our glass customizer where you can easily navigate through the options and choose the glass size the thickness. The user-friendly interface ensures a seamless ordering experience, allowing you to customize the glass to match your exact specifications with just a few simple clicks.
The turnaround time for shipping at Dulles Glass varies depending on the items purchased and the specific delivery methods available. For in-stock products, the delivery typically takes 1 business day. However, custom products are shipped within 1-3 business days.
Certainly! Our team at Dulles Glass is dedicated to assisting in the customization process. Whether you have technical or design-related questions, feel free to reach out to us through live chat, email (info@dullesglass.com), or by calling us at (866) 452-7707. We're here to ensure a smooth and tailored experience for your new glass purchase.
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