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Interior glass options continue to grow

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Interior glass options continue to grow

Interior glass options continue to grow

Glass is both an interior and an exterior design material. It’s been manufactured for more than two thousand years, so it definitely has enduring qualities. It’s both decorative and practical, and recently, it’s been rediscovered as an interior surface. Interior glass is being developed and improved all the time.

Interior glass for multiple applications

Low-iron glass. Low-iron glass, also known as toughened T-glass or laminated glass, is an ideal option for interior decorating. The lack of tint means that the glass itself won’t interfere with color applications. Because it has a low iron content, it does not have the green cast that regular sheet glass does. Low-iron glass isn’t new, but it has a clear, bright white appearance, which makes it ideal for decorating large installations. Large installations could include wall coverings, glass backsplashes, doors, countertops and windows. Several manufacturers make low-iron glass, but it is marketed under brand names including Diamant, Eurowhite, Krystal Klear, Optiwhite, Starlite and Starphire, among others.

Low-e glass. Low-emissivity glass is used in applications where UV and infrared light isn’t desirable, but the visible spectrum is. In applications where low-e performance is desirable, Glassprimer™ glass paint provides an affordable option. Glassprimer™ glass paint is highly reflective and UV resistant, making it an ideal coating to achieve low-emissivity objectives using ordinary glass.

Tinted glass. Tinted glass is an attractive option for interior and exterior design. Tinting creates privacy, offers a uniform appearance and reduces glare. When tinted glass isn’t an option, Glassprimer™ glass paint can offer the same option. Glassprimer™ glass paint is available in virtually any color and bonds permanently with the surface of the glass. It resists fading and delamination, and performs well in both humid and dry environments.

If you’d like more information about decorating with glass, or modifying interior glass with Glassprimer™ glass paint, please check out the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Klaus Stenzel , via FreeImages.com

Low-iron glass and glass paint projects

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Low-iron glass and glass paint projects

Low-iron glass and glass paint projects

If you have ever seen a sheet of glass from the side, you probably noticed that it had a green tint. What is this green tint, where does it come from and how can it affect your glass paint project? “Clear” glass is so obviously green that it’s hard to believe it’s not deliberately tinted. (It’s not!) Understanding where the tint comes from helps to know how it can affect your glass paint project.

Low iron glass eliminates green tint

Ordinary clear glass is made primarily from sand (silica), soda ash and limestone. Some formulations use other “ingredients” to create glasses with different qualities. The silica, soda ash and limestone are heated to temperatures of more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit! At this temperature, the ingredients liquefy, and glass can be shaped or molded. As it cools to room temperature, the mixture hardens into what we think of as a solid, even though it retains its liquid characteristics.

The high temperatures at which glass is made burn off most impurities, so the mixture seems transparent when it cools. One of the impurities that doesn’t burn off is iron. Iron is often found with limestone – a key component of glass. Iron also readily binds with silica – the other key component of glass. It is this iron that gives glass its green tint. The greater the iron content in the glass, the greener the glass will be.

You may notice the obvious green tint on clear glass when you look at a thick piece of glass. The green tint becomes more noticeable on thicker sheets of glass. You may wonder how this green cast could affect your glass paint project. The truth is that the green tint can be noticeable, even after you’ve applied paint and mounted your backpainted glass.

Low-iron glass is made from low-iron silica and limestone. By eliminating the iron (or at least most of it), glass manufacturers can create a glass that doesn’t have this green tint. Low-iron glass, also known as Starphire™ glass or Ultra-White™ glass. It comes in thicknesses ranging from 1/8″ to 1/2″, and can be used in a variety of applications. If you think the “natural” tint of glass may interfere with your glass paint project, consider using “low-iron” glass instead.

For more information about painting glass with Glassprimer™ glass paint, please check out the rest of the site. To purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store.

Photo Credit: Kerem Yucel, via FreeImages.com