When designing your home or planning your window replacement, window design and functionality should be top priority. One often overlooked functionality of the window is privacy. Privacy can be achieved not only by window coverings but also the glass itself. Textured glass is a savvy way to maintain light levels while providing privacy, design, and interest.
One of the most popular benefits of opaque glass is the dual bonus of filtered light while maintaining privacy on the interior of the home. This is commonly seen on full-lite entry doors. An otherwise low lit vestibule now offers natural day-lighting without the constant use of indoor lights. The privacy of opaque glass matches that of a full panel door without the possibility of strangers, delivery people, or unwanted guests peering in at you when you don’t have to engage.
There has been an upturn in using a textured glass for internal rooms as well. Bedroom doors with a window of obscured glass allows bedroom light to flood an otherwise windowless hallway while bedroom doors remain closed. This is a clever approach to keeping spaces feeling open and bright when a window is just not possible. Moreover, for commercial settings, a conference room with a textured glass keeps meetings private without making the entire office feel shut off from those inside or outside the space. It’s also a healthy way to keep daylighting possible in rooms that would otherwise be left windowless due to the location within the building.
A few clients have opted for the design appeal of a textured glass to add a contemporary look and feel to a space. We have seen this executed well with a fluted design, seen in a two-story windowed stairwell. The windows offer muted light day and night for the stairs. Plus, the added aesthetic it offers the space is both playful and unique. Another great opportunity for textured glass is in a bathroom or along shared property lines when the neighbor is just a bit too close for comfort.
The possibilities for opaque glass are as limited as you make them out to be. So, for the sake of design and functionality, think outside the box and create something that will have lasting benefits for your home or work for years to come.
