Frosted Films and Etched Glass

Frosted films and etched glass window films serve many purposes for office, retail and residential environments. Window films are divided into two categories; Etched films and Clear films. Both materials offer privacy, light-filtering, and decorative opportunities for interior or exterior glass.

Etched glass films

You can use etched films (sometimes called frosted films) to transform plain glass into textured glass. These films give a sandblasted finish and maintain the architectural look of frosted glass. The privacy window film is translucent, but not transparent, and still allows light to pass through. Film designs are often cut out of the etched film and combined with other cut vinyl graphics to create a wide variety of possibilities.

You can choose from many styles and tints of frosting. With several custom decorative treatments available as well, we can help find the right solution for your home or office. We provide materials that will hold up in all environments. All of our films can be removed, although some easier than others. There are ‘removable’ privacy films on the market which are a viable alternative. However, these consumer products lack some performance characteristics. They can be easily damaged from physical contact and bubbles can develop over time.

Privacy Films for Offices

In offices with large glass windows and glass walls, you can use etched window films to modify site lines and give privacy. One can install privacy window films to block out entire glass walls, or in bands or patterns to add texture and contrast and to control the amount of visibility between interior spaces. Custom designs using company logos and branding can unify the office space and help to convey company information. Use these films both indoors and out. Our standard film has a 7-year outdoor rating.

Turning ordinary glass walls into Dry-Erase presentation walls are another interesting use for etched films in the office environment. Applying privacy window vinyl to the “back” of a glass surface turns the glass into a writing surface enhancing the visibility of the Dry-Erase markers.

We also use etched glass films in window signage applications. They can provide a subtle effect to lettering and are neutral enough to complement and not compete with other elements in your graphic layout. We use translucent film on the inside of the glass as a backdrop in some cases to enhance the visibility of darker letters and elements which also creates a subtle shadow effect with vinyl letters. Reverse cut designs are also a common way to compose messaging for window applications.

Residential Window Frosting

In residential environments, you can use etched films for similar purposes. Common uses for window privacy films include bathroom windows or reducing visual clutter behind glass banisters, walls, or doors. Another place where additional privacy can be useful is for entry doors with glass windows and glass sidelight panels. In these places, we often add address numbers that complement the style of the building, both traditional and contemporary. For example, windows that are above, beside, or in the door can be filled with a frosted film, with the building or unit numbers cut out of it.

You can use frosted privacy window films in your home as an alternative to traditional window coverings like blinds, curtains, shutters, and drapes. While they can’t compete with the warmth of these elements in traditional interiors, they can be used in addition. For windows that face busy streets or neighbours, window films provide an alternative solution to continually opening and closing blinds. With modern interiors, window films can complement and not detract from the architectural design of windows.

Clear glass films

Often known as window tinting, there are many shades, colours, and thicknesses of clear window films available. Clear films can be used as a retrofit upgrade for existing glass. Use these films to address a range of light control problems inherent to large glass windows. Some of these challenges include UV filtration, glare, light diffusion, heat reduction, and privacy.

Window films are an extremely cost-effective method to reduce heating and cooling costs in existing buildings by reducing the amount of heat transfer through glazing. Another application is to protect valuable merchandise from the deteriorating effects of the sun in retail storefront windows. These films will block 99% of UV radiation in tints ranging from completely clear to very dark.

Let us know how we can help. Get in touch so we can create a custom a solution for you!