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Glass & Glazing

Specialist glass and glazing systems engineered for performance — warmer rooms, quieter homes, safer openings and lower bills, year after year.

The Glass

Obscure / Frosted Glass

Obscure (or frosted) glass uses a textured or etched surface to scatter light and blur visibility from outside, giving total privacy while still letting daylight flood the room. It's the go-to specification for bathrooms, en-suites, WC windows, frosted door panels and any street-facing window where you want light without being on display.

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Obscure / Frosted Glass
Privacy Without Sacrificing Daylight
Why It Matters

Privacy Without Sacrificing Daylight

Privacy levels are rated from 1 (lightly textured) to 5 (almost fully obscured), and we can supply a wide range of decorative patterns — from subtle satin finishes to bold contemporary designs. Frosted glass works as part of a standard double or triple-glazed sealed unit, so you get full thermal performance alongside the privacy.

  • Privacy ratings from level 1 to level 5
  • Wide range of textures & decorative patterns
  • Full daylight transmission
  • Works in any double or triple-glazed unit
  • Same thermal performance as clear glass
  • Ideal for bathrooms, WCs & street-facing rooms
Energy efficiency rating
Energy Rating

Same Performance, More Privacy

Obscure and frosted patterns are etched into one surface of the glass and don't affect cavity construction, gas fill or Low-E coatings. A frosted sealed unit performs identically to a clear one — typically 1.1–1.4 W/m²K for double glazing, A or A+ BFRC rated.

How To Verify

Look for the U-value of the complete sealed unit and the standard BFRC rating. A or A+ ratings are entirely achievable with frosted glass — the frosting doesn't penalise thermal performance.

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Tell us a little about your project and our experts will put together a tailored quote — usually within one working day.

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  • FENSA-registered installers
  • 10-year insurance-backed guarantee
  • Over 30 years of expertise
  • Free, no-obligation site survey
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Obscure / Frosted Glass — common questions

The terms are used interchangeably, but technically 'obscure' covers all glass that blurs visibility (including textured, fluted and patterned), while 'frosted' specifically refers to glass with a matt, satin-like etched surface. Both achieve privacy in the same way.
For bathrooms and WCs, we typically recommend level 4 or 5 (heavily obscured). For front doors with decorative side panels, levels 2 or 3 strike a balance between privacy and a softer, lighter look. We'll show samples at survey to help you decide.
No — light transmission is virtually identical to clear glass; only the visibility is affected. Rooms with frosted glass feel just as bright as those with clear, while keeping the inside completely private.
No — the frosting is on one surface of the inner pane in a sealed unit, so it doesn't affect the cavity, the gas fill, the Low-E coating or the U-value. A frosted unit performs identically to a clear unit in BFRC ratings.
Yes — alongside standard textures like Stippolyte, Satin, Cotswold and Reeded, we can supply custom etched designs, partial frosting (e.g. frosted bottom half) and bespoke patterns. We'll show pattern books at survey.
Modern frosting is etched into the glass surface rather than applied as a coating, so it doesn't wear off, peel or fade. It's as durable as clear glass and cleans the same way.

More in Glass & glazing

Smart Glass

Smart Glass

Switchable smart glass that goes from clear to opaque at the touch of a button — privacy on demand, with no blinds or curtains.

Laminated Glass

Laminated Glass

Laminated safety glass — bonded with a tough interlayer that holds the pane together when broken, for security, safety and sound control.

Double Glazing

Double Glazing

A-rated double glazing fitted in uPVC, aluminium and timber frames — the modern UK standard for warmer rooms and lower bills.

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From residential homes to commercial buildings, we deliver high-quality glazing solutions with expert craftsmanship. Every project is carried out with precision, durability, and meticulous attention to detail.

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