Etched glass is clear or tinted glass with a frosted pattern on the surface. The pattern can be a fine line drawing or a large bold shape, and the contrast between frosted and clear areas is what makes the design show. Etched glass is among the most popular decorative glasses for homes because it gives privacy without losing light, and because it suits old and new houses alike.
Two ways to etch glass
“Etched glass” covers two different processes, and it helps to know which one is meant.
- Sandblasting. A stream of fine abrasive is blown at the glass through a stencil. It can frost the surface lightly or cut deeper into it, and it can be carved in several depths to create shading and relief.
- Acid etching. The glass is treated with acid to give a smooth, even, satin frost. It is the finish seen in many Victorian doors and panels.
Both leave areas of clear glass beside the frosted ones. Sandblasting allows more depth and detail; acid etching gives a very smooth, uniform finish.
Where etched glass works well
- Front and internal doors. Light passes through, and the view in is hidden.
- Sidelights and fanlights. A pattern repeated across a door and its surrounding glass looks coordinated.
- Bathrooms and shower screens. Privacy with daylight.
- Kitchens. Cupboard doors, room dividers and pass-through windows.
- Stair and landing windows. Pattern without obstructing light.
- Mirrors and glass partitions. Etched details can add interest to plain glass.
Choosing a design
- Check the pattern is in proportion to the glass. Large, simple shapes work best on narrow panels, and finer detail suits bigger ones.
- Think about how much privacy is needed. A design with a lot of clear glass gives less privacy than a mostly frosted one.
- Look at a sample in the position where it will be used, because the light changes the effect.
- Consider combining etching with bevelled edges or leaded lines for a richer look.
Looking after etched glass
Etched glass has two faces that need different treatment. The plain, smooth face can be cleaned like any other glass. The etched face is a roughened surface, and it needs more care, because the same texture that gives the frosted look also holds dirt, grease and fingermarks. How much care depends on the type of etching.
Which side is which
Run a fingertip over each face. The etched side feels slightly rough or velvety and looks matt, while the other side is smooth and shiny. A drop of water on the etched face makes it look clear for a moment, which is a quick way to confirm it. In a sealed double-glazed unit the etching is often placed on an inside face, where it never needs cleaning at all, and this is worth asking about when a panel is ordered.
For every type of etched glass
- Clean the whole panel, not just the mark. Spot-cleaning an etched face can leave a patch that looks different from the rest.
- Use plenty of clean warm water with a few drops of mild, pH-neutral washing-up liquid and a soft, clean, lint-free cloth or a microfibre cloth.
- Rinse with clean water and dry with a second lint-free cloth, stopping while the surface is still slightly damp to reduce streaks.
- Avoid scouring powders, scouring pads, razor blades, steel wool and metal tools, which scratch the surface, and the scratches cannot be repaired.
- Avoid ammonia, vinegar and other acids, bleach, strong alkalis, solvents and anything marked as water-repellent or containing polish or wax, which can leave a film in the texture.
- Keep silicone sealant, adhesive tape and hand cream away from the etched face. Silicone in particular can leave a stain that is very hard to remove.
- Do not clean glass that is hot or in direct sun, and do not pour hot water on cold glass.
- Try any new cleaning product on a small corner first.
Acid etched glass
Acid etching gives a fine, even, satin finish. It is usually the easiest type to look after, but fingermarks show clearly on it, so it is best used where the etched face will not be touched. Wipe it over with a damp soft cloth and mild cleaner as above. A greasy mark usually comes off with warm soapy water applied across the whole panel and then rinsed.
Sandblasted glass
Sandblasting leaves a coarser, deeper texture than acid etching, which would normally pick up fingermarks and grease very easily. For that reason sandblasted glass is usually treated during manufacture with a clear protective coating, which is applied to the etched face only and buffed to a clear finish. Its job is to protect the sandblasted areas from marks and fingerprints, and the plain face is left as ordinary glass. Coatings of this kind are described as resisting fingermarks and staining and making the glass easier to clean, and some also leave the surface looking smoother and more satin, closer to acid etched glass.
The coating is thin and is what protects the surface, so the aim is to cover it as little as possible and not wear it away. Use soft cloths and mild soapy water, and avoid abrasives, solvents, polishes and harsh chemicals, which can damage or strip it. Some coatings are not suited to use outdoors or inside shower enclosures, so ask the maker where a treated panel can be used. Some can be reapplied if the surface wears, and the coating makers supply their own care products. On a panel that has not been treated, or where the coating has worn, a soft brush with soapy water works better than rubbing with a cloth, which can leave fibres behind. Rinse well and pat dry. Ask the maker whether a coating has been used and what they recommend for it.
Deep carved glass
Deep carving has real relief, with recesses that collect dust and are hard to reach with a cloth. Use a soft brush with soapy water, and a cotton bud for the finer detail, then rinse and dry. Avoid polishes and sprays that dry in the recesses and leave a white residue.
If in doubt
The general rules for all decorative glass are on the page How to clean decorative glass safely. Methods and finishes vary between makers, and some panels are combined with leaded lights, bevels or painted detail. Ask the maker for care instructions when a panel is ordered, and keep them. On panels with lead or putty, avoid soaking the joints.