mineral / Glass / Processed Glass
Frosted glass (Acid-etched/Sandblasted) (4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm)
Privacy glass with frosted finish achieved through acid etching or sandblasting, offering light diffusion whilst maintaining structural integrity of float glass
Atlas code
MIN-GLA-PRO-010
At-a-glance signals
Privacy glass with frosted finish achieved through acid etching or sandblasting, offering light diffusion whilst maintaining structural integrity of float glass
Overview
Executive summary
Frosted glass is a processed glass product created by treating one surface of clear float glass with either acid etching (using hydrofluoric acid) or mechanical sandblasting. This treatment creates a translucent surface that diffuses light and provides privacy whilst maintaining approximately 50-70% light transmission. Available in standard thicknesses from 4mm to 12mm, suitable for interior and exterior applications.
Best when…
- Provides privacy whilst allowing natural light transmission
- Permanent finish that won't wear or peel
- Can be toughened or laminated for safety compliance
- Acid-etched version resists fingerprints better than sandblasted
- Available in various opacity levels and patterns
- Suitable for all Australian climate zones
- Non-combustible material (BAL-FZ compliant when required thickness)
- 100% recyclable at end of life
Top advantages
- 01 Provides privacy whilst allowing natural light transmission
- 02 Permanent finish that won't wear or peel
- 03 Can be toughened or laminated for safety compliance
- 04 Acid-etched version resists fingerprints better than sandblasted
- 05 Available in various opacity levels and patterns
Top limitations
- 01 Cannot be cut or modified after tempering
- 02 Sandblasted finish shows fingerprints and requires more maintenance
- 03 Higher cost than clear glass
- 04 Reduced light transmission compared to clear glass
- 05 Acid etching process involves hazardous chemicals
Technical
Physical ·9
- Density
- 2500 kg/m³
- Specific gravity
- 2.5
- Porosity
- 0 %
- Water absorption
- 0 %
- Hardness
- 5.5
- UV resistance
- Excellent // Blocks 25-30% UV
- Chemical resistance
- Excellent // Except hydrofluoric acid
- pH tolerance
- 3-11
- Surface roughness
- 0.8 µm
Mechanical ·7
- Tensile strength
- 40 MPa
- Compressive strength
- 1000 MPa
- Flexural strength
- 45 MPa
- Shear strength
- 25 MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.22
- Impact resistance
- Low // Annealed; High for toughened
- Creep resistance
- Excellent // No creep at room temperature
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·6
- Embodied carbon
- 15
- Carbon footprint
- 1.1
- Embodied energy
- 200 MJ/kg
- Recycled content
- 20 %
- Renewable content
- 0 %
- Circular score
- 7
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·5
- Combustibility class
- Non-combustible
- Fire resistance level
- Non-combustible // AS 1530.1
- Flame spread index
- 0
- Smoke dev. index
- 0
- Heat release rate
- 0
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
- Material cost (range)
- $45-85/m² // Standard thickness
- Material cost (per unit)
- $65/m² // 6mm typical
- Lead time
- 1-2 weeks // Standard products
- Lifecycle cost
- $250-400/m² // 30-year lifecycle
- Annual maintenance
- $20-50/m² // Cleaning only
- Market availability
- High // Readily available
Service life & durability ·3
- Expected lifespan
- 50+ years
- Maintenance interval
- Annual cleaning
- Warranty period
- 5-10 years // Manufacturer dependent
Layer D
Where it's used
Shower screens and bathroom partitions
Office partitions and conference rooms
Residential windows and doors
Glass balustrades and pool fencing
Kitchen splashbacks
Decorative architectural features
Privacy screens in healthcare facilities
Shopfront displays