Frameless glass can truly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your indoor or outdoor space. The best part? There are several ways to customise your structure so it looks as good as it can be. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the options you should consider when updating your abode — empowering you to find a solution that reflects your personal style and home’s functionality.
Glass types
You may be thinking to yourself — how many types of glass can there be? In fact, there are a variety available, and the one you choose can really impact your space. Let’s take a look at some of the more common terms used when it comes to frameless glass.
Low-iron or starphire glass: refers to glass made from sand with low-iron content. The lower the iron content of the sand used, the greater the transparency of your product. It does not have the greenish or blueish tint that is often visible in standard clear glass.
Laminated glass: is created by bonding two panes of glass with a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This layer holds the two pieces together and prevents them from shattering into many pieces and causing safety issues in the event of an impact.
Toughened glass: similar to the above, toughened glass is another type of safety glass. It is made by heating annealed glass in a furnace before being rapidly cooled. It is favoured for glass pool fencing as it is highly heat-resistant, reducing the risk of thermal, stress-induced breakage.
Obscure glass: is an umbrella term for any type of glass that obscures or distorts the view through your product. It is often used in bathrooms or showers to maintain privacy while simultaneously allowing natural light to fill the space.
Fluted or narrow line glass: refers to a type of decorative glass characterised by a pattern of vertical ridges or grooves that run parallel on its surface. This creates a textured appearance and can also be used to create more privacy.
Acid etch glass: also known as frosted or satin glass, is another type of decorative glass that has been treated with an acid or abrasive substance to create a ‘frosted’ appearance.
Glass tints
Another way to change the look of your frameless glass is to have them tinted. This will not only affect the aesthetics of your glass balustrades but also provide heat or UV protection or provide additional privacy. Tints can be customised in a variety of shades and colours, depending on your specific needs.
Glass mounts
Once you’ve selected the perfect type of glass for your home, you can start to get more detailed with the structure’s features and accessories. While they may seem a small part of the overall design of your structure, glass mounts are every bit as important! You can choose from spigot mounts, aluminium channels or side-fixed glass to achieve the exact look you’re after. Let’s unpack these.
Spigot mounts: are sleek mounts designed to sit underneath panes of glass. They come in a variety of colours, from stainless steel to black matte, as well as a variety of shapes like smart spigots, cored spigots and top-mounted spigots — to name a few.
Aluminium channels: are mounts that run across the length of glass balustrades to hold them securely in place. Like spigot mounts, there are many aluminium channels to choose from. Some common examples include right angle channels, C shape channels and F shape channels.
Side-fixed glass: is a popular technique for mounting glass to balconies and staircases. It is one of the best ways to achieve a frameless look.
Glass handrails
When installing glass staircases, handrails are required by law, but that doesn’t mean they have to be basic and boring! There are some great options out there that are able to take your home design to the next level — both literally and figuratively. Floating handrails can add a modern, seamless look to your space, timber handrails can give your staircase more charm, and curved handrails can add a sense of fluidity and elegance. Slimline handrails are another great option if you’re after a sleek, minimalist look.
Decorative features
Beyond the product, mounts and handrails you select, there are several other ways to customise your frameless glass structure to enhance it aesthetically. For example, black matte hardware used on your shower screen can add contrast and drama to your bathroom, glass infinity corners on your balcony fencing can create an illusion of endless space, and bullnose custom glass edge profiles used on your pool fencing can make this area more inviting and comfortable. There are several decorative features to choose from, dependent on the existing space and what’s required,
While the above list is comprehensive, there are countless other ways your frameless glass can be customised to suit your space. For free expert advice, measure and quotes get in touch with the team at Sydney Frameless Glass today!
For further information or to organise a FREE measure and quote you can contact Sydney Frameless Glass on 1300 388 920.
