In the market for a stylish set of shelves? Let glass do the talking. Modern glass-cutting technology lets you achieve any shape of glass shelf, no matter your preferred dimensions. Whether you fancy an ultra-thin shelf or a stylish patterned glass finish, there’s practically no limit to what glass shelving can do.

Glass shelves allow for highly creative designs, from mirrored shelving to frosted and patterned finishes. Let’s look at some of the best on-trend glass shelving ideas, plus a few underrated styles that we love.

Space-saving glass shelves

Quite often, homeowners and interior designers are faced with a lack of space. This is especially true of bathrooms and hallways, where shelves tend to be narrower to avoid being knocked against. Our bespoke glass cutting service can create glass shelves of any dimensions, as thin as 4mm. Even our thinnest, narrowest shelves can easily support heavy objects due to the extra-tough properties of our toughened glass.

Custom shelves for vanity units

Bathroom and kitchen vanity units are extremely popular in modern home renovations. So how to you make your vanity unit stand out from the crowd? A custom-made glass shelf, of course! There are two ways you can incorporate a bespoke glass shelf into a vanity unit. First, as a “hidden” middle or upper shelf in the interior of a vanity unit, or second as an “open” shelf accessed without a door.

A host of glass finishes

You don’t just have to settle for clear glass, either. Glass shelves can be produced in all kinds of finishes: frosted, tinted, back painted and more. Coloured glass is achieved by back painting technology, letting you choose virtually any colour for your glass shelves. For a spot of mystery, sandblasted or frosted glass shelves create a cool, translucent effect.

Mirror, mirror on the wall…

Any decent bathroom design must incorporate a mirror or two. With the growing trend for large and full-length mirror surfaces, why not get creative with your shelving by pairing it with a mirrored glass background? Alternatively, you can go the whole hog by asking our glass technicians to create fully mirrored shelves, best installed below eye-level. Choose from an antique or modern finish, with polished and bevelled edges available.

Ideal for home bars

Home bars are making a comeback – and that means more glass in the living room. Open glass shelves elevated by metal brackets make for the ideal home bar unit, especially when paired with LED lighting. Indeed, few things in the home are bound to impress more than a shimmering, curved glass shelf to place your drinks, bottles and glasses.

At abc Glass, we specialise in designing and processing glass for bespoke shelving. Whether you dream of a home bar with glass shelving, or feel like jazzing up your bathroom with mirrored shelves, get in touch with our glass processing specialists today.

Bespoke shower areas are an increasingly popular trend in bathroom design. Large glass panels have never been more sought after in the bathroom, from seamless wet rooms to luxurious shower enclosures.

The first major appeal is one of style. An eye-catching piece of glass can transform even the most mundane bathroom into a striking modern statement. By adding a slide or hinged door, frosting, advanced CNC and water jet cutting into the mix, designers can alter the personality of a bathroom like never before.

Another factor is demographics. There are now more homeowners above 60 years old than ever before. This has led to a surge in “futureproofing” projects that cater for the needs of older, less mobile users. These projects tend to involve a “bath out, shower” in solution, replacing a classic bath tub with a bespoke shower area.

The final cut

Many homeowners must adapting their new shower area to an unusual space. This is particularly true of older period homes, such as those with original wooden beams and low ceilings. Likewise, when squeezing a shower area under the eaves of a roof, you’ll need more than a simple “off the peg” solution.

This is where a bespoke glass shower area comes in. World-class cutting technology, such as the kinds used by abc Glass in our Portsmouth factory, can be used to modify shower screens to fit even the most unorthodox dimensions. Indeed, there are virtually no limits to the shape of your glass shower enclosure. Odd angles and unusual dimensions are features to be embraced, not avoided!

When the going gets tough

Safety is paramount when designing a bespoke shower enclosure. The last thing you need after slipping in the shower is for the glass panel to come crashing down with you. At abc Glass, we specialise in toughened safety glass for shower screens. This guarantees a sturdy and stable quality for even the most unusually-shaped panel. The panels are made through a careful process of heating glass to 600°C in our in-house furnace, before quickly cooling the outer faces.

Frameless is the future

The unstoppable rise of frameless shower screens sums up the bespoke showers craze. Their appeal is obvious – not only are frameless screens sleek and stylish, but they open up huge potential for creative dimensions. If your screen is jutting up against a sloped ceiling (like above,) a steel frame is unnecessary. Our specialist team manufactures your glass enclosure to your exact specifications, resulting in a unique, minimalist design.

Do you fancy a cutting-edge bespoke shower area for your bathroom? Perhaps a stunning frameless design that integrates with the shape of the room? If so, abc Glass offers all manner of glass processing services, from intricate cutting to stunning glass colours and finishes. Use our contact page to get in touch with the team, or explore our many services for your ideal solution.

When it comes to interior design, there are virtually no limits to what you can do with glass. Fancy some wow-factor in your garden? Glass garden features are your friend. Zoning off a room without using a wall? Simply put up a glass partition. However, the most popular glass trend we’re seeing now is something much different: glass balustrades for staircases.

There’s nothing to revitalise the hallway quite like a new glass staircase. After all, your stairs are often the first thing people see when they walk through the front door. To meet this demand, we’ve partnered with staircase specialists Multi-Turn to design some truly stunning glass balustrades for staircases.

There are a number of benefits to glass balustrades for staircases. These include:

More natural light – glass staircases let more light in, brightening your staircase and leaving a clear view
Illusion of more space – as with any glass feature, the see-through nature of the material tricks the eye into seeing more space
Aesthetics – glass staircases boast a wow-factor unmatched by any other material.
Long lasting & durable – with abc Glass’s low-maintenance clear toughened glass, your stairway should last a lifetime

So, what are the main types of glass balustrades for staircases? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five of our original glass staircase projects, each showing a different approach to glass staircase design.

1. Rebated balustrade

Rebated balustrades are one of the most popular design solutions for glass staircases. It simply involves fitting the glass panel into a tight groove in the woodwork, creating a near-seamless look. The two examples above show rebated glass at its finest, taken from a bespoke residential side in Romsey.

2. On Brackets

For larger projects with longer balustrades – such as this huge landing in Southampton – a glass brackets system does the trick. This particular style is called “stand-off” brackets, which leaves ample space between wood and glass. It’s also common to find glass fitted by stainless steel clamps to the railings and posts. This leaves a slither of space around the entire edge of the glass pane.

3. Glass Risers

For a more elaborate look, why not choose glass risers for your next staircase? Risers can be seamlessly blended into the design using hidden fixing bolts, like this recent project (above). We used small sheets of 12mm toughened glass below each step, combined with discreet in-built lighting that reflects the surface. As glass staircases go, it doesn’t get more luxurious!

4. Structural glass

Frameless balustrades are popular with homeowners seeking a minimalist look. For this private house in Guildford, we used 12mm toughened structural glass – integrated into the wooden staircase – for an incredible “freestanding” effect. With no handrails or traditional supports, the entire glass structure has a unique look.

5. Glass spindles

Most glass panels found on staircases are large and imposing. But with glass spindles you can create a totally different look, inspired by traditional balusters but with all the advantages of glass. Small individual panes are rebated into to the staircase structure, with no need for brackets. The end result is a light, airy and seamless look that any homeowner would be keen to show off.

To find out more about our glass balustrades for staircases, or how you can incorporate glass into the home, please speak to our expert team. We’ll do our best to answer any questions you may have, and to help you on your way to a stunning new glass staircase.

Have you ever looked at an impressive window or a piece of glass furniture and wondered: how is glass made? For a material so widespread, few people who know the ins and outs of making glass. In this article, we’ll lay out the basics of glassmaking so that you can appreciate the subtleties of this incredible material. We’ll also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about glass, from the common to the obscure.

What is glass made of?

A lot of people ask us: Is glass made from sand? This is half-right – the raw material of glass is in fact made from three ingredients: sand, limestone and soda ash. In order to make glass, these three ingredients must be mixed together and heated in a giant furnace. Eventually, the mixture melts into a liquid called glass. That’s right: glass is actually a liquid!

To be clear, when we say “heated in a furnace”, we’re talking about serious heat. For liquid glass to form properly, the furnace temperature must be at least 1700°C (3090°F). Anything below this extreme heat level may be inadequate for making glass. Needless to say, unlike brewing beer or weaving fabrics, glassmaking is not something that can be done at home.

How does liquid glass become solid?

At abc Glass Processing, we typically use large sheets of float glass or plate glass that can be easily cut or shaped. This is raw, unprocessed or toughened glass in its basic form – the kind that, if you smash it, breaks into large pieces. So far we’ve explained how glass is formed as a liquid mixture, but how does it turn into the flat, solid sheets that we commonly call “glass”?

There are two basic ways to make plate glass: rolling and floating. Both require the liquid glass to be cooled until it forms into a flat, solid material. The former method uses giant rollers to flatten the glass into thin sheets, which are left to cool before being cut into the desired shape. The latter way involves leaving the scorching-hot liquid to “float” on top of molten tin until it reaches a much lower temperature. The end result is an immaculate, flat sheet of solid glass.

Is glass recyclable?

Of course! Glass is among the most recyclable materials in the world, able to be re-used and re-processed over and over again. Recycled glass makes up a remarkable 95% of the raw materials of most new glass product. The more recycled glass used in the manufacturing process, the less energy is used by furnaces. This efficiency makes glass production one of the more sustainable industries in the modern world. So, if you want to help the planet through these challenging times, make sure you recycle those glass bottles!

Some popular uses for recycled glass

Making new glass products
Fibreglass insulation products
Manufacturing of bricks where glass is used as a flux
Astroturf and artificial grass products
Water filtration media
Reflective paints
Sandpaper and other abrasive materials

Each year abc Glass processing recycle around 120 tonnes of glass.

At abc Glass Processing, our team boasts years of experience in processing glass for all manner of commercial and domestic uses. Click here to explore our many glass processing services, or get in touch today if you have any questions about a potential project.

In response to the ever-increasing demand for our glass processing services, abc Glass Processing is pleased to announce a significant new investment: a brand new, state-of-the-art Vertmax vertical CNC machine. Now installed and up-and-running in our Portsmouth warehouse, this fantastic new machine has already unlocked new opportunities for our customers, improving our capacity and turn-around time. But what does the Vertmax actually do?

Put simply, our CNC (Computerised Numerical Cutting) glass cutting technology allows us to manipulate glass to a much more creative and accurate extent than before. The Vertmax improves our ability to cut complex shapes in a host of glass products and mirrors, such as glass balustrades & balconies, frameless shower doors, and more. It also allows us to drill holes for door handles and hinges – be they practical or decorative – as well as intricate details such as bevelled and polished edges.

Our new Vertmax makes light work of all these tasks, capable of cutting and shaping glass in thicknesses from 4mm to 19mm. This remarkable machine is made by Intermac, one of Italy’s leading manufacturing companies and a global leader in stone and glass machining. We are delighted to be working with technology that boasts such a rich heritage, and our technicians are enjoying the new opportunities that have come with it.

A vertical approach for the best results

As you might have guessed from the name, the Vertmax is a vertical CNC machine. This sets it apart from the two “horizontal” machines already in use at ABC glass, bringing a number of benefits to our operation. Firstly, due to its vertical dimensions, the Vertmax takes up less room than its counterparts, freeing up more floor space in the warehouse and making it easier to handle and load the glass.

A great advantage to CNC machines is that they are entirely computer controlled. The Vertmax’s computer module is significantly smaller than our older models, but no less powerful and just as easy to use. Safety, of course, is a vital feature of the new kit: an elaborate system of mirrors and laser beams guard the perimeter of the machine, switching it off whenever someone crosses the line of safety. (Don’t worry, the beams are harmless!)

But perhaps the greatest benefit of having an extra CNC machine is the extra capacity it now gives us in the factory. We are now better able to meet the phenomenal demand for bespoke glass processing, a demand that has only intensified in the last two years.

To find out more about our glass cutting services, or if you have any questions relating to bespoke glass processing, please get in touch with our expert team today.

Have you ever pondered: what is toughened glass? Perhaps you’ve fallen into the trap of believing tempered glass and toughened glass have different uses and you’ve not been sure what’s best for the job. Our handy guide is here to let you have all the facts and help you make the most informed decision for your decorative and architectural glass products.

Clear toughened safety glass

What’s tempered glass?

Tempered glass and toughened glass are actually the same and Wikipedia defines it best:

“Tempered or toughened glass is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Tempering puts the outer surfaces into compression and the interior into tension. Such stresses cause the glass, when broken, to crumble into small granular chunks instead of splintering into jagged shards as plate glass (a.k.a. annealed glass) does. The granular chunks are less likely to cause injury”.

Tempered or toughened glass is also as much as 6 times stronger than untreated glass as well as being resistant to impacts. The safety glass credentials come in when tempered/toughened glass is broken into smaller, rounder edged pieces. Whereas normal annealed glass shatters into sharper edged pieces that are much more likely cut the skin on contact.

Toughened or tempered glass should shatter into small pieces, greatly reducing the chance of serious injury

The safety and strength of tempered glass make it desirable for a variety of architectural and decorative applications in the home and commercial environments. Here at abc Glass Processing, all our high quality glass products are made from tempered/toughened glass as standard – just the way we and our customers like it.

How’s toughened glass made?

Although annealed glass can be transformed into toughened glass via chemical reaction and ion exchange when the glass is immersed in a potassium salt bath at 300°C, abc Glass Processing uses the heat toughening process to create the very best quality tempered glass. Chemically toughened glass is inferior to heat toughened glass because it still breaks into sharp splinters and can’t regarded as safety glass without lamination.

By using our state-of-the-art Glaston toughening furnace, consisting of ceramic rollers that move the glass forward and back, we heat normal annealed glass up to 670°C. The glass is heated for some time (90 seconds to 20 minutes, depending on glass thickness) before it’s chilled back to 15°C so it’s cool enough to touch. The surface of the glass becomes almost molten during the tempering process and is then cooled from the outside in (thinner glass is cooled more rapidly and thicker glass more slowly) using jets of cold air, created by our industrial cooling machine.

Our Gaston toughening plant heats the glass to around 670 degrees centigrade

The resulting tempered glass is much stronger and more resistant to breakage – under compressive strain on the outside and under tension inside. At abc Glass Processing, the standard of toughened safety glass is self-regulated. This means we break each batch of glass processed to make sure our glass products maintain the highest standards of safety and quality.

How do you know if glass is toughened or tempered?

You can rest assured that all glass products created by abc Glass Processing are created using toughened/tempered glass. On any glass product, you should be able to identify toughened glass by its toughening mark or British/European standard etched into the glass. The exact markings will depend on the toughened glass’ country of origin (where the glass was processed).

Where’s toughened glass used?

Because it’s both super-strong and super-safe, toughened glass is used in a variety of traditional decorative and architectural applications. These might be in the home or commercial settings including the automotive, technological and sports/leisure industries. Applications may include anything from shower doors and fridge trays to mobile screen protectors and diving masks.

Toughened glass makes products like this luxury shower enclosure safe to use

At abc Glass Processing, our range of toughened glass architectural and decorative products include, but are not limited to:

Tempered glass also offers thermal resistance and is inherently waterproof. This means it’s an excellent consideration for glass kitchen splashbacks where high temperatures can be reached and glass bathroom splashbacks where high humidity is common. Likewise, glass is ideal for frameless glass doors and wall partitions inside the home as well as glass doors and windows outside the home, which need to offer greater protection from the elements and could be liable to stress from excessive banging and impacts.

Can toughened glass be cut?

Yes, your toughened glass for shower enclosures, balustrades, splashbacks or any other application can be cut to any size and shape you require. Cutting tempered glass, however, happens before the glass toughening process so it’s easier and more precise. Really, annealed glass is cut and then toughened or tempered.

Why does tempered (or toughened) glass break?

Let’s face it, most things have a breaking point but the toughening of glass does make it harder to break than untoughened glass. As well as thermal stresses within the glass, damage during installation – such as a chipped edge developing into a larger break – is the most common cause of breakage. When it does break, tempered/toughened glass is designed to shatter into small pieces that are much less likely to cause injury. This is why toughened glass is often referred to as “safety glass”.

How can toughened glass break?

As already mentioned, while toughened glass is stronger than standard glass and will be harder to break it can still be broken. The difference is that toughened glass is designed to shatter, breaking into lots of very small pieces. While it’s still possible that these pieces will cause minor cuts, they’re too small and dull to cause serious harm. Glass that’s not toughened will break into large shards, which will be very sharp and dangerous – not ideal for any domestic or commercial application if you want to keep your family or clients safe!

Find out more about our toughened safety glass

For more information about our professional glass processing services, quality toughened glass for glass splashbacks or toughened glass mirrors cut to size, get in touch with Hampshire glass processing experts abc.

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show brought use of glass in the garden to the vanguard for landscapers, property developers and have-a-go gardeners alike. Incorporated into various garden designs, which spanned silver to gold medal winners, the RHS’ most prestigious annual show revealed how glass walls, glass balustrades and feature lighting especially can add wow-factor to contemporary outdoor spaces.

While abc Glass Processing makes the likes of glass partitions, glass balustrades and balconies, glass staircases and floors, glass table tops and glass mirrors that could be used in the garden, our glass aficionados appreciate there are a fair few other uses for glass in all its glory alfresco. Here’s a look at some of those uses with some suggestions of how you can get the most out of glass in the garden.

Glass elements that add elegance to the garden

Walls and balustrades – Achieve structure and multiple levels in the garden with glass walls and glass balustrades without interrupting views or messing with the aesthetics of the planting. More fluid that bushes and trees, glass partitions are also excellent for zoning and creating boundaries.
Mirrors and mirrored glass – Excellent for making smaller outdoor spaces seem bigger and for allowing light and colour to bounce around the garden, cleverly placed mirrored glass can also help create symmetry and extend the visual reach of your favourite plants and features.
Feature lighting – There are so many options for smart outdoor lighting, from eco-friendly solar lighting to fun and vibrant fairy lights, to choose from. But you should always make sure from your lighting supplier that your chosen lights are safe for outdoor use.
Water features – Whether you incorporate a glass wall to reflect water droplets and ripples or you choose a glass pathway over a pond for a wonderful walk-on-water effect, glass can be a fabulous addition to a water feature.
Art and sculptures – When it comes to glass sculptures and art for your garden, don’t just look to buy something to fill a space. Buy a piece that you form a connection with on sight – it should tell a story in 10 years’ time so that it’s still relevant to you and your space. Pick one statement piece or several smaller pieces that can placed throughout a larger plot to be found and enjoyed.

Let’s take a look at how some of these glass in the garden ideas were used to great effect at Chelsea Flower Show 2019:

The Greenfingers Charity Garden – Show Garden

Image courtesy of RHS / Neil Hepworth

Built by Kate Gould Gardens, this Silver Gilt medal winning garden shows how glass balustrades can be used to add practicality and panache in an outside space. Over two levels, the garden was deigned to be a calming sanctuary and fortifying refuge:

“The innovative garden design aims to highlight and promote the therapeutic benefits of the 56 outside spaces created over the past 20 years by Greenfingers Charity, the charity dedicated to creating inspiring gardens for life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices across the UK” – The RHS.

With a central planting border of dominant yet tranquil green, white and yellow tones, the lower level also features tiles and architectural elements that carry the green theme through.

The top deck can be reached by a lift constructed of glass walls with green metal framing to stay in perfect keeping with the garden’s theme. This means that the garden is not only accessible to all but visitors can enjoy the garden from all angles and heights with unrestricted views and the lift structure itself doesn’t compromise the design scheme.

On the top level a frameless glass balustrade has been chosen that provides safety and, again, unrestricted views. What’s really skilful is that the glass balustrades don’t distract those looking up from the lower level towards the beautiful medlar and silver birch trees behind, chosen for the structural beauty as well as their shade from the sunlight.

IKEA and Tom Dixon: Gardening Will Save The World – Show Garden

Image courtesy of RHS / Neil Hepworth

Again set on two levels, this garden was more controversial in design than other 2019 entries but meaningful in its environmental message:

“The garden showcases the potential for democratic and distributed urban farms and considers the future of the environment and the importance of growing food locally” – The RHS.

A partnership between Tom Dixon and Ikea that was unusually designed to be walked through by Chelsea visitors, the top level offers a wilder “botanic oasis”. While the lower level of this futuristic garden is super neat and ordered. It’s also dedicated to showcasing edible plants grown using hydroponic technology under soft pink lighting.

The pink glow has a job to do here but the effect is very pretty, warm and welcoming. This just goes to show that feature lighting, or carefully placed coloured glass that changes tonally with natural sunlight, can be a clever way to glam up your garden.

Green Switch – Artisan Garden

Image courtesy of RHS / Tim Sandall

Kazuyuki Ishihara’s gardens are always a treat to behold and this one was no exception. Drawing on his cultural roots for the planting – with all the Japanese classics from maples to moss balls – this year’s entry explored how modern life and ancient traditions can still work side-by-side:

“The ‘green switch’ represents the space we inhabit when we ‘switch off’ from the stresses of contemporary urban life and seek the things we like to do, such as spending time in nature” – The RHS.

Another two-storey garden design, the top level showcases glass in the garden perfectly. On the left a modern shower room constructed using glass walls is surrounded by soft planting for privacy. To the right, is a tea room (a nod to Japan’s traditional tea gardens) but again glass walls are used for a contemporary yet open feel.

The light-infusing, space-enhancing, mirror-like theme is continued to the lower level where two waterfalls and a rippling pond reflect the surrounding plants and top up the garden’s sensory appeal.

Gorgeous glass garden products from abc Glass Processing

To find out more about our glass partitions, glass balustrades and balconies, glass staircases and floors, glass table tops and glass mirrors for use in your garden design or landscaping project, or to get a quote for any of our glass products, please contact us today.

Open-plan has been the buzzword among builders and interior designers of recent years. With a focus on collaborative working spaces, connecting more with the family in the home and a lack of space in some urban developments, it’s not hard to see why. Glass partition walls are the zen zoning zenith for an open-plan space – where subtle privacy and structuring can exist side-by-side with all-out shareability – while making the most of natural light and architectural features.

Despite so many choices when it comes to décor, size and shape of space, glass partitioning walls are an excellent option for dividing an open-plan space without disturbing the flow of light and energy. A glass wall or “window wall” can provide everything from an audio-break to a soupcon of style and, offering as much functionality as it does flair, makes a smart addition to winning blueprints.

Glass partitions can be used just about anywhere

In an office, glass room dividers can allow the opportunity to create a meeting room or reception space with floor-to-ceiling glass walls within a larger open-plan office. Glass partition walls for the home offer limitless options too – from smell and sound barrier between kitchen and living area to light-reflecting break between bedroom and bathroom to seamless split between inside and outside. Fixtures, fittings and features in adjoining rooms – such as a feature bathtub, mosaic tiling or natural wood beams – also get the chance to become double-whammy showstoppers.

And who says it has to be a solid glass wall? You could incorporate sliding glass partitions for occasional zoning when the mood suits – grid-style if you fancy a bit of art deco glamour or frameless for extra delicacy. Why not try an arch divider crafted from glass for a softer screen? This adds kudos between kitchen-diners and adds va-va-voom to vestibules.

Glass balustrades as glazed partitions

While the term “glass partition walls” may conjure images of floor-to-ceiling room breaks, half-height glass dividers in the form of glass balustrades can be really effective.

Whether you want to more clearly zone a mezzanine in a bijou new-build or to create continuity between floors in the grand atrium of a barn conversion, these glass room dividers will echo a comma in your broader “style sentence” rather than the harsh full stop of a brick partitioning wall or a framed floor-to-ceiling glass wall.

These half-height glass balustrades are best used in spaces where noise is no issue as they’ll provide little barrier to sound between zones they also put less emphasis on enlarging a space.

Stair glass panels

There’s a way to make your staircase part of an open-plan room and maintain the natural flow: stair glass panels. While you can make a glass staircase a stand-out feature in a room dominated by darker wood or a warehouse vibe, you can use stair glass panels to transcend in a way that’s totally in-keeping with the continuity of the room.

There’s nothing more uplifting than living or working in a space where natural light illuminates glass steps, banisters and stair glass panels. Add metal struts, fixtures and fittings for full-on industrial-chic or keep glass wall panels frameless for contemporary seamless simplicity.

Glass wall choices

When it comes to glass partitions, glass balustrades and stair glass panels, there are various options with regard to colour, finish and style so you can have the exact glass wall zoning that suits your project. Your custom glass processing options include:

Tinted of painted glass walls – Have your glass partition walls clear (for subtle zoning), tinted (for more oomph) or painted (for all-over colour pop) to suit your interior styling. Why not choose a combination of clear and coloured, using tinted and/or painted glass in different formations and in different areas to make the most of how the natural light interacts at different times of day and season?
Mirrored glass walls – Use mirrored glass to create an even greater large-space-illusion and to reflect the entire space’s style – literally. A carefully placed rug can also help zoning so why not pick a colour or texture you want carried on through effortlessly and place it near a mirrored glass partition for maximum wow? A mirrored glass splashback could be teamed with a mirrored glass room divider to elongate a space too.
Frosted glass walls – Whether you choose total frost or intricate patterns that incorporate opaque and clear glass in unison, frosted glass wall partitions not only make an excellent style statement but are the perfect way to create privacy using a small part of an internal glass wall or external glass wall. Frosted glass walls work wonders in bathrooms and could even create a little sanctuary for a reading nook or between desks.
Fabric interlayer glass walls – In the same way frosted glass can beckon privacy and panache, fabric interlayers can be added to your glass wall at the glass processing stage for pure pizazz. This could be a custom design and integrate patterning, colour or texture from elsewhere in your space to achieve a coordinated look for ultra-stylish yet subtle zoning.
Laminated glass walls – Laminated toughened glass is the best choice for all glass room dividers. Whether it’s in the home or commercial space, in case of incident you want a glass that’s going to hold when shattered rather than scatter into tiny dangerous shards. Our laminated glass has an interlayer between two more layers of glass, which can be toughened for super-strength to a safe EN12150 standard. At abc Glass Processing, we specialise in tempered (toughened) glass and provide quality toughened glass for stairs as well as glass room dividers that stands the test of time.

It’s clear to see why we’re leading glass wall suppliers

Contact abc Glass Processing today for your glass partition wall needs and our skilled and experienced team will be only too happy to help and talk you through your options. Let us know exactly what you’re looking for and your lead-time – we’ll work with you to find the perfect glass wall solution.

Glass balustrades can be used inside and outside the home (or commercial property) to add both functionality and flair. There are many other advantages of glass balustrades though, especially high quality creations by Portsmouth’s abc Glass Processing, and we’re here to make sure you’re in the know and that your glass safety barriers give you maximum bang for your buck.

What is a glass balustrade?

A glass balustrade is a safety barrier where glass is used to infill the gap between the floor and hand rail, perhaps on a balcony or staircase. Frameless glass balustrades can be used, decoratively as well as practically, in place of spindles or as structural components instead of newel posts and handrails. Structural glass balustrades are often referred to as frameless glass balustrades and can add wow-factor to your interior design or exterior design project.

Where can you use glass balustrades?

You can use glass balustrades as a style statement in homes with either a contemporary or classic décor theme as well as in stylish commercial properties such as retail outlets, offices, restaurants and hotels. Here are the most common glass balustrade applications:

Balcony balustrades and Juliet balconies
Glass deck panels (bordering garden decking)
Staircases (glass railings, glass stair banisters etc.)
Frameless glass balustrades for internal landings
Glass fence panels / garden partitions

What are the benefits of glass balustrades?

Glass balustrades made by the experts at abc Glass Processing hold a number of advantages for your development or design project, which we’ll break down for your here:

Drama – The addition of a glass balustrade inside or outside will enhance the appearance of any space. Create clean lines in small spaces. Make balustrades of different custom glass designs a feature in a large atrium. Combine plain glass with glass sandblasting effects or decorative fabric interlays for textural style. Coordinate your chosen colour palette with our glass painting service.
Light – As glass is inherently see-through, frameless glass balustrades allow more natural light to flow within a property and won’t block fabulous views. To make the most of highlighting and brightening add feature lighting to your balustrade or glass railings.
Space – The reflective nature of glass banisters and balustrades helps create the illusion of a larger and more open space. It also adds a fresh and airy feel that’s much sought-after for new-builds and modern barn conversions.
Versatile – The adaptability of glass balustrades as architectural pieces, and the variety of applications they offer, creates myriad design opportunities. Combine glass balcony and balustrade panels with wonderful woods for a more naturalistic vibe. Team with chrome or stainless steel balustrade fittings for a cool contemporary twist. Incorporate cement and exposed brickwork for an up-to-the-minute urban touch. Remember that our advanced CNC cutting machinery allows accurate and detailed cut outs and holes for components such as clamps and handrails to make your glass balustrades all the more versatile.
Quality – When made by abc’s master craftsmen, you can be sure your glass balustrade or glass fence will meet the highest strength, quality and safety glass standards. Created from laminated glass in a variety of thicknesses suitable for all types of balcony balustrades and glass fence panels or toughened glass (with 5 times the mechanical and thermal strength of annealed glass), our glass balustrades will not shatter your interior design illusions!
Easy – As well as being easy to install, frameless glass balustrades and glass fence panels are easy to maintain. Keep them looking as good as new by polishing regularly using a quality glass cleaner. We also offer an optional ClearShield glass coating, which can help to reduce water marks and discourage the build-up of calcium and dirt on external glass balustrades.

Contact abc Glass Processing for more information on our glass products or to get a quote for your exact glass balustrade requirements today.

The benefit of an excellent mirror is far from just being to show your reflection – it can reflect so much more. A bathroom mirror, kitchen mirror, bedroom mirror, lounge mirror or even garden mirror can create the illusion of space and extend the reach of natural light far and wide for a more desirable living or work space. Here at abc, our skilled glass processing experts can create any size, shape and design of mirror you wish so that your interior design project achieves maximum flair.

Add mirrors for kitchen kudos

kitchen mirrors are less about admiring your reflection while you cook up a culinary storm (although celebrity chefs certainly manage it!) and more about broadening the space you’ve got to work with. Whether it’s creating the illusion of more space in pokier pantries or creating a seamless transition from kitchen work top to ceiling or storage space, mirrors work marvels in the kitchen. Mirrored kitchen splashbacks can accomplish both these goals as can aesthetic design pieces.

Beguiling bathroom mirrors

Some want contemporary washroom wonder while others want traditionally tranquil spaces and there’s a mirror to suit every size and style of bathroom. Like in the kitchen, mirrors can extend the look and feel of the space. But, here, a good quality mirror (that doesn’t steam-up) and shows all the details of the face when beautifying is invaluable too. We can cut and shape bathroom mirrors, from bespoke frameless mirrors for illuminated vanity units to full length mirrors, to your exact specifications and we can even provide replacements for broken mirrors.

Sparkle and space

We’ve already mentioned how magnificent mirrors are for creating the illusion of space but we’re not just talking your average wall mirrors. We can supply laminated glass for balustrades and banisters as well as balconies and outdoor mirrors, if you really want to make the most of the natural light and add an edge to your design. Have you got a narrow bedroom that needs to feel more relaxing than restrictive? An extra-large mirror that extends across the headboard or ceiling space could be just the job. Need a supply of quality gym mirrors or hankering for a bespoke mirror featuring an etched design or texture for a spa-like sanctuary? We can do that too.

Style statement

While we create regular bathroom mirrors and wall mirrors for other parts of the home and commercial spaces, we never skimp on style. Our skilled craftsmen can create bevelled mirrors, vintage mirrors, mirrors featuring coloured glass or even garden mirrors so that your space exudes your personal style throughout. You can even use mirrors to extend the use of your chosen colour palette and furnishings – when carefully placed, a mirror can really help to make the colours and textures of a room pop. Also think centrepiece mirrors and mirrored shelves and table tops to take your style statement one step further.

Explore our full range of glass products, from mirrors to mirrored splashbacks, here. To find out more about our glass processing services, and how we can create the mirror you desire from your design specifications or replace a broken mirror, contact us today.