FT NEWS

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Smoked glass

Smoked glass is clear and therefore doesn’t obscure images, but its darkened colour ups the privacy factor.

These smoked-glass bathroom doors are from Rimadesio. “We selected them for a few reasons: to give a clear break from the wardrobe and bedroom; to complement the black tapware and other black metal work in the apartment; and finally for a little hint of drama,” says Darren Genner of Minosa.

Coloured glass

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leadlights

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.