We hear this question a lot from our clients. And no wonder: decorative laminated glass is growing in popularity year-on-year. By combining the toughness of laminated glass with the beauty of customised patterns, textures and colours, decorated laminated glass offers a robust yet stylish solution for livening up a home or commercial interior.

In this article, we’ll show you how decorative laminated glass is actually made in our Portsmouth factory. We’ll also explore the glass’s unique properties and reveal how laminated glass can be decorated with a choice of hundreds of artistic features. Finally, we’ll run through some of the best uses for decorative glass both indoors and outdoors.

How is decorative laminated glass made?

At abc Glass, our process of making decorative laminated glass differs only slightly from that of standard laminated glass. The key thing to remember is the extra mesh or fabric “interlayer” sheet added during the laminating process. This sheet, made from either polyvinyl butyl (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), can be decorated in a myriad of ways, as we’ll explore later.

The step-by-step process is simple. First, our technicians insert the decorative interlayer between two toughened or untoughened glass sheets. Our state of the art glass laminating machine bonds the three layers together to form the final product. And bingo: your decorative laminated glass is ready.

Tougher stuff

To the untrained eye, decorative laminated glass may seem a purely stylistic choice. But as we’ve seen, it’s also an extremely robust product. In the UK, all decorative laminated glass must meet EN 14449 safety standards to be considered legal. This ensures that, when shattered, the glass sheet keeps its original form, displaying a trademark “spiderweb” crack pattern. Contrast this with untreated regular glass, which breaks into a handful of unsafe sharp shards – disastrous in the event of breakage or a fire.

Further benefits of decorative laminated glass include better sound insulation as well as blocking out harmful UV rays. What’s not to like?

A layer of personality

The most exciting aspect of decorative glass is, of course, the decoration. You can add an incredible array of patterns and colours to your mesh or fabric interlayer. Our website showcases just a few of the patterns we offer, from cool metallic to sandy textures.

Putting decorative glass to use

In theory, anywhere that normal laminated glass is found can be kitted out with decorative glass. Popular uses include for glass balconies, glass partitions, glass balustrades, glass table tops and shelves, glass staircases, glass flooring, frameless glass shower enclosures, and much more.

Bear in mind, however, that certain spaces may not lend themselves to added decoration. In some cases a simple clear or frosted laminated glass sheet will work better – far be it from us to judge!

Before ordering any decorative laminated glass, we recommend speaking to one of our in-house glass experts. We’ll explain the process for processing and supplying glass for your specifications and show you the many patterns and colour options available.

Glass processing is a true blend of art and science. A touch of flair is essential – as is a skilled team and state-of-the-art production facility.

Fortunately, at abc Glass our glass processing team includes some of the country’s finest glass technicians, trained to utilise both modern and traditional methods. These wizards make use of industry-leading machines and technologies to create stylish and robust glass products. Jobs that used to take days, such as made-to-measure shower doors, glass balustrades, and bespoke mirrors, can now be turned around in a couple of hours.

Intrigued? Here’s a run-down of some of the niftiest glass-making skills we deploy on a typical day…

1. Machine cutting

20 years ago, when abc Glass started out, we couldn’t have foreseen the vast leaps in glass-cutting technology that would follow. Today our factory is stuffed with ultra-modern kit, such as the brand-new vertical CNC (Computerised Numerical Cutting) machine.

This behemoth allows our technicians to cut and shape glass to virtually any spec, with thickness from 4mm to 19mm. Ideal for cutting complex shapes, the machine also lets us cut precise holes for sockets and hinges in shower doors and glass partitions.

Another essential piece of kit is our water jet cutting machine. Its nimble 3-axis design is suited to cutting even more complex glass shapes than the CNC machine, such as unorthodox curves and sharp angles. See this gorgeous “abc” blue glass script as an example of what water jet cutting can achieve:

2. Hand crafting

As much as we love our big machines (and boy, do they save time…), there are certain limitations to computer-based processing. Some jobs require us to produce fine details that can only be perfected by hand. These tend to be ultra-intricate features such as steep curves and round bevelled edges. Our glass technicians are more than happy to cut and shape glass the old-fashioned way – after all, there’s a certain pleasure in keeping alive this timeless craft.

3. Glass toughening

Now that your glass is cut to size shape, it’s time to toughen up. Our toughened safety glass meets all the safety standards for commercial and domestic use. We create it by heating glass sheets in a special furnace up to 600⁰C, before quickly cooling the outer faces. The result is a robust sheet of glass that, if broken, shatters into to hundreds of small pieces instead of leaving razor-sharp shards. Perfect for balconies, shower screens, staircases and floors, and even bespoke mirrors.

4. Laminating

Our laminated safety glass is used all the time in balustrades, partitions, shower screens, floors and stair treads. We create it by bonding an interlayer between two or more sheets of regular or toughened glass. This interlayer can be clear or fully decorative – take your pick from coloured, frosted or even patterned laminated glass. Multiple bonded layers result in an extremely robust glass panel that keeps its form even when shattered. Other benefits include better sound insulation and blocking out harmful UV rays.

5. Edge polishing

Polished edges are an increasingly common sight in interior design. Trends such as frameless showers and structural glass balustrades have led to increased demand for our glass edge polishing service. Glass edge polishing makes the edges safer but can also be a stylistic choice. Our specialists can polish both standard and irregular shapes of glass and mirrored glass with a flat or diagonal finish.

6. Bevelling

This age-old technique is often found in traditional mirrors, as well as glass door panels, shelves and table tops. Bevelling involves grinding and polishing the glass to an exact angle, creating a “framed” look. Our mighty bevelling machines allow us to bevel straight and curved edges in any glass width from 6mm to 40mm. For the most unusual shapes, we are one of only a handful of companies left in the UK who can apply a bevelled edge by hand.

7. Sandblasting

Better known as frosted glass, sandblasting lets designers get creative with the opaqueness of their glass. It’s also ideal for adding a spot of privacy, especially in bathrooms and bedrooms. Our sandblasting specialists can create custom patterns that block out certain areas of a glass sheet, leaving the rest clear. We use a special non-stick coating to protect the glass from smudges, dirt and finger marks.

8. Back painting

Back painted glass allows designers to colour match their glass to its surroundings. It’s the final possible step in the glass processing chain, and possibly the most impactful. Painted glass splashbacks are now a common alternative to tiles or stainless steel, but we can also produce back painted glass for glass partitions, shower screens and worktops. Just pick any colour from the RAL colour chart range or let our experts colour match to your design.

If you’d like to make use of our team’s glass processing skills, please contact us today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to answer any questions you may have about glass processing. We can help to get the ball rolling on your next interior design project, no matter how complex.

Glass flooring is a key component of some of the world’s most famous buildings. Think of the death-defying platform atop Toronto’s CN tower or the glass panels above the ruins of the Acropolis. Then there’s our personal favourite: the glass-bottomed bridge in the British Museum’s Great Court.

However, the future of glass flooring lies not with nerve-jangling attractions but with domestic and commercial spaces. Homes, offices, shopping centres, and hotels are leading the trend for new glass flooring and glass staircases. This trend grows as interior designers look for new ways to “open up” spaces to the fullest extent.

4 great uses for glass flooring

Designers need to choose carefully which spaces deserve a glass floor. After all, too much glass can spoil the magic. But when used correctly, laminated glass flooring is a stunning option for these four features:

Stair treads

You cannot have a glass staircase without a stylish and structurally sound set of glass stair treads. A notable example is the majestic spiral staircase in Hong Kong’s IFC Apple Store. Closer to home, abc Glass can produce glass stair treads in many different shapes and styles.

Suspended walkways

A great option for showing off a building’s architecture. Popular for heritage buildings such as church, warehouse, and barn conversions. And did we mention how much we love the bridge in the British Museum?

Decorative structural glass panels

These come in all shapes and sizes, from small “trap-door” glass panels to vast displays that cover a whole floor. Ideal for letting light flood in to a lower floor or basement.

Glass balcony floors

Not for the feint-hearted! Brave homeowners and designers are embracing glass balcony floors for the exterior of a house. The results are often stunning.

How is glass flooring made?

Glass flooring and stair treads are made by laminating together sheets of toughened glass. At abc Glass, we combine three 10mm sheets of glass with either a 0.75mm or 1.5mm interlayer. This results in a remarkably strong sheet of glass that is safe to walk on. It goes without saying that all our glass flooring is made to British Standards (BS EN 1991-1-1).

What’s more, our technicians can work to custom measurements and DFX files for all kinds of spaces. We use the latest CNC and waterjet machines to cut, shape and drill glass flooring to a precise design. With a minimum thickness of just 31.5mm, we can theoretically process glass flooring up to 3000x1000mm and 1500x1500mm in size. That said, we advise that the actual thickness and loading of your panel be calculated by a structural engineer and, for safe manual handling, a maximum panel weight of around 200kg is advised.

What different styles of glass flooring are available?

Again, there are plenty of paths you could follow, each with their own merits. For maximum slip-resistance we suggest a frosted or sandblasted finish. We also offer clear, tinted, and decorative styles for areas such as lightwells where a frosted finish would be unnecessary. All of these styles can be combined with glass balustrades for the ultimate glass interior.

If you have any questions about glass flooring or glass treads for your next project, please get in touch. We offer delivery across the south-east of England, both to merchants and directly to site.

When it comes to mirrors, interior designers are always on the lookout for creative styles. Made to measure mirrors are a godsend when ‘off the peg’ just won’t do. abc Glass specialises in making custom mirrors of all shapes, sizes, and finishes. Our state-of-the-art glass cutting, polishing and bevelling machines can bring virtually any design to fruition. Odd shapes, stunning finishes, and bespoke patterns and text can be easily produced at a scale of up to 3.2m x 1.8m (polished only).

The age-old question – modern or traditional?

Two styles of mirrored glass are most common – silvered with clear glass and antique. We specialise in producing made to measure mirrors in both styles for a versatile range of uses. Here is a quick explanation of what each style offers:

Standard – Your typical “modern” mirror: clean, bright, and without distortion or effects. This style of mirror is commonplace in domestic and commercial spaces.
Antique – One for the traditionalists. Usually found in period interiors, this style is created by “aging” – using chemicals to alter the mirrored backing for an old and distressed or industrial look.

Choosing the right style will depend on the function of your mirror. Standard mirrors are ideal for clean and contemporary spaces such as modern home interiors, offices, gyms, bathrooms, and so on. Made to measure mirrors are increasingly being used for home features such as cladding wardrobes, frameless mirrored doors, and bathroom and kitchen splashbacks. Modern clear mirrors are the best choice for uses where clarity and detail are important, such as in bathrooms while large clear mirrors can add light and space to small rooms.

Antique mirror glass, meanwhile, is growing in popularity as a design statement. Just searching #antiqueglass returns a plethora of images and ideas on Instagram, Houzz, and other image sharing platforms. This style is perfect for boutique hotels, nightclubs, and other buzzing commercial interiors. Homeowners, too, are embracing the antique trend, combining the aged glass effect with traditional frames. Demand also comes from those seeking to restore an antique mirror due to breakage.

The beauty of bevelled edges

A key design feature of many mirrors is a bevelled edge. This is where the edges of a mirror are polished at an angle, resulting in a neat, decorative edge. Aside from the classic mirror, bevelled edges can be applied to glass table tops, glass door panels, and even glass shelving.

Indeed, bevelled edges are so popular you could be forgiven for thinking that bevelling is simple to do – far from it. At abc Glass, our skilled technicians use a top-of-the-range Bavelloni B73 bevelling machine for glass and made to measure mirrors. Simply choose your bevel width – we can achieve anything between 6mm and 40mm – and marvel at the results.

Our pièce de résistance, however, is a hand bevelling service. Bevelling by hand is a rare skill among modern glass processing companies, and one that we are proud to keep alive in the age of automation. This option is ideal for certain kinds of made to measure mirrors, such as round mirrors and mirrors with complex shapes.

Applying the perfect finish

Aside from bevelling, there are many exquisite finishes you can choose for your made to measure mirror. These include:

Polished – Ideal for frameless mirrors where glass edges must be made less pronounced. With our glass polishing machine, we can produce either a neat flat finish or a diagonal finish on any mirror between 4mm and 19mm.
Sandblasted and frosted – For a cool “obscure” effect, abc Glass can sandblast either the whole surface or create frosted patterns.
Part-painted – Simply choose your desired RAL colour, and our technicians can create any patterned mirror of your choosing. Text, artwork, geometrics – anything goes!

Contact us for made to measure mirrors

If you are keen on a made to measure mirror for your home or commercial building, please speak to our glass processing experts. We will answer any questions you may have about mirrored glass, from design and production to cost and delivery. Call us on 023 92 678 222 or send the team a message via the Contact Us page.

With bad news arriving each day, it’s easy to forget that we live in an age of innovation. From driverless cars to robots that deliver food, dozens of exciting products are poised to enter the market in the coming years. The home design world is no different, with new smart glass technology posed to transform our homes.

So, what are these technological wonders that await? In this article, we pick out the most exciting glass products set to enter our homes over the next 10 to 20 years. What’s more, many of these innovations promise to save us money while reducing our carbon footprint.

“Chameleon” glass

Colour-changing glass is set to revolutionise how we think about interior colour schemes. Scientists in the US have made astonishing breakthroughs in this particular field, with early samples yielding amazing results. The idea is simple: by flicking a switch, molecules bounce around in the glass to turn into a new colour.

Does this new tech require lot of electricity to make work? Quite the opposite. The amount of energy used to switch from colour to colour is minuscule. Indeed, 100 panes of colour-changing glass uses the same energy of an incandescent lamp for this simple task.

Smart glass for your appliances

Smart glass is coming soon to a fridge near you. Soon enough, current features such ice dispensers and digital clock faces will look rather quaint by comparison. Future fridges will instead boast a plethora of integrated gadgets to make life that much easier. Chief among them is a tablet-style smart glass screen built into the face – great for flicking through recipes, checking the family calendar or playing music.

Windows, but not as we know it

Glass windows aren’t supposed to do anything complicated. For most homeowners, letting in light whilst keeping out noise and foul weather is all that’s needed. Researchers, however, have spotted a potential new benefit for glass windows: helping to saving the planet. Solar panel collecting windows use the sun’s energy to charge nearby devices, such as smart speakers and TVs.

By 2040, most homes will have obscure glass that deflects up to 98% of outside light. A great substitute for blinds, obscure glass also removes the need for expensive air-conditioning costs. Homeowners will have smart-home systems installed to adjust their window’s light-to-dark settings, whether at home or out and about. Smart glass apps will soon be commonplace, just as modern gadgets like Hive and Ring let us remotely change our home settings.

A frosty reception

Frosted glass is an always-popular choice, especially in the bathroom. However, users are currently restricted to a binary choice: frosted or clear? This is all set to change with smart glass. With the flick of a switch, you’ll be able to enter “privacy mode” by changing your clear glass shower screen to frosted – and back again. Shower areas will also boast waterproof touch screens to adjust the controls, from water flow and timings to temperature.

Unfortunately, at least some of these exciting glass innovations are still very much in the future. In the meantime, abc Glass offers a market-leading range of services to create inspirational glass doors, splashbacks, mirrors, and much more. Get in touch to discuss your requirements with our team, who are working remotely until the Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed.

Are you looking to make a real statement with your next interior design project? A glass interior door could be just the ticket. There are many different styles of glass interior doors, from crystal-clear panels to frosted and patterned glass. But choosing the right door to suit your surroundings can be tricky. In this article, we take you through the basics of interior glass doors, helping you to pick the most suitable style for any interior.

Why choose glass interior doors?

The popularity of glass interior doors has soared in recent years. Designers are becoming more aware of the benefits of letting light flow through the space. Glass doors – especially when combined with glass partition walls – result in a brighter and more “open” feel. Furthermore, advances in glass cutting technology make producing glass doors easier (and cheaper) than ever. This all fits in with a general trend towards frameless glass, as typified by the rise in frameless shower enclosures.

Glass interior doors are ideal for open-plan spaces. In the home, these may include “window walls” used to partition an ensuite bathroom from the bedroom. Or they could form part of a glass partition for the living room, kitchen, or dining room. We’re seeing a resurgence in grid or Crittall style glass partitions with a matching glass interior door. For commercial spaces, glass interior doors truly come into their own, letting light flood into communal areas.

What styles of glass interior doors are available?

There are two basic types of glass interior doors: hinged and sliding. However, the customisation options for each style give you plenty of scope to be creative. These include:

Clear or ultra-clear – The natural choice for most interior spaces. What better look to tempt people further than a crystal-clear glass door? Jaw-dropping examples include glass doors flanked by glass wall partitions.
Frosted glass – Great for privacy, frosted glass interior doors are extremely popular for bathrooms. You can even include a frosted pattern into the design for a personal touch.
Digitally printed – Why not print an image or pattern onto your glass interior door? You can pick any RAL colour and all kinds of photo-realistic printed patterns.
Fabric interlayer – Decorative laminated glass is another stylish option. The look is achieved by bonding a mesh or fabric interlayer between two sheets of glass.

There’s no hard and fast rule as to the best style of interior glass door. But a good designer will know which style goes best with the space, be it domestic or commercial.

How are glass interior doors made?

Glass interior doors are made from a single sheet of toughened safety glass. At abc Glass, all glass doors are produced using state-of-the-art CNC cutting machines in our Portsmouth warehouse. We simply input the dimensions of the glass door, as well as cut-outs and holes for hinges and a door handle. The machine handles the rest!

Glass interior doors are a stylish and understated way to enliven an interior design project. If you are interested in abc Glass’s bespoke frameless glass doors service, feel free to get in touch with our team. We will take the time to listen to your requirements and suggest how to get the very most from your glass interior doors on a budget.

The popularity of glass has never been higher in the interior design world. From sleek glass stairways to jaw-dropping glass partitions, we’re seeing more homeowners and designers embracing glass’s versatile and stylish properties. But what are the hottest new glass design trends for 2020? Let’s explore some of the best on-trend uses for glass in the home and the garden.

Glass for Walk-In Shower Areas

According to Houzz, walk-in showers and wetrooms were among the most popular trends of last year. Naturally, glass is an essential part of any stylish and practical walk-in shower area. Frameless shower screens, for instance, are very much in demand. As we explored last month, these made-to-measure screens bring a genuine “wow-factor” to any bathroom. It’s no wonder our toughened glass shower panels are in high demand, with so many homeowners wanting big showers that offer easy access.

Energy Efficient Windows & Doors

Climate change has taken centre stage in the news this year. As such, there’s more pressure than ever for home renovation projects to strive to be as energy-efficient as possible. Designers can prevent heat from escaping more easily by installing windows and doors with wooden, uPVC or aluminium frames.

Fluted & Frosted Glass

Fluted designs have been around since the ancient Greeks. It’s a classic style that transcends eras and tastes, so no wonder fluted glass is considered a major feather in our glass processing cap. 2020 is tipped to see kitchen designers embrace fluted glass cabinets, combined with other effects such as frosting. The 3D quality of fluted glass adds character to any interior as well as bouncing light across the room.

As for frosting, more homeowners are using it for more privacy, especially in the bathroom. With an increasing trend of open-plan and glass partition bathrooms, having a fully frosted bespoke shower screen guarantees privacy whilst being far more sleek than a semi-dividing wall. At abc Glass, our sandblasting technology will help you achieve that perfect frosted look for your next shower screen, as well as cabinets, worktops, and even glass shelves.

Glass With Fewer Sightlines

The beauty of glass is its lack of obstruction. There’s no better way to let natural light permeate through the home and garden than with an abundance of glass. The best way to maximise light through doors and windows is to make the frames as small as possible. As such, we’ve noticed a resurgence in floor-to-ceiling windows and glass sliding doors – and this trend is set to continue into 2020. Why not make the most of our frameless glass doors service and customise your glass door with clear, ultra-clear, frosted or patterned glass.

The best glass design Trends for 2020

We hope you’ve been inspired by our round-up of the best 2020 glass design trends. If you have a bold glass vision for your next home or commercial space, give us a call or email. In the meantime, you can explore our many glass processing services to see how modern glass technology can bright light and style to your interior.

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.

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.