Choosing the right glass isn’t just about thickness it’s about clarity, safety, solar control, and the look you’re after. Below is a quick, plain-English guide to the most common options you’ll see on quotes and drawings, followed by copy-and-paste blocks you can drop into your product pages.
Obscure / Patterned Glass
Obscure (also called patterned or textured) glass lets light in while softening visibility. It’s popular for bathrooms, WC windows, front-door sidelights, stairwells and cabinet doors where you want daylight without clear views.
In New Zealand homes, it’s often chosen for street-facing windows to improve privacy without resorting to blinds. Obscure patterns range from soft frosting effects to bold textures; most can be toughened or laminated if a safety rating is required for the location.
Typical uses: bathroom windows, internal doors, kitchen cabinets, entry sidelights.
Applications/ Image Samples
Acid-Etched / Frosted Glass
Acid-etched glass has a smooth, satin finish that looks like frosting. Unlike stick-on films, the surface treatment is in the glass itself, so it’s durable and consistent. It’s ideal when you want modern, even privacy especially for bathrooms, office partitions and balcony balustrades that face neighbours.
In coastal NZ environments, acid-etched panels pair well with stainless or powder-coated hardware for a clean, contemporary look. Panels can be toughened or laminated to meet safety requirements for doors, showers and balustrades.
Typical uses: shower screens, bathroom windows, office partitions, privacy balustrades.
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Mirrors (Standard)
Standard mirrors are made by applying a reflective coating to flat glass. For homes and light commercial use, common thicknesses are 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm and 6 mm. Thinner mirrors suit wardrobe doors and small vanities; thicker mirrors are better for large spans where you want a flatter, sturdier look.
Good practice in NZ bathrooms and laundries is to seal edges and use appropriate fixings, especially in damp spaces. For gyms, studios and commercial installs, step up to a safety/backed option (below).
Applications/ Image Samples
Safety / Backed Mirrors
Safety-backed mirrors have a film applied to the rear. If the glass breaks, the film helps hold shards together rather than letting them fall away in fragments. This makes them suitable for high-traffic or high-impact areas.
Use safety/backed mirrors for gyms, dance studios, school facilities, busy hallways and large bathroom mirrors. Where regulations require safety glazing, safety-backed or laminated mirror options help you comply your glazier can confirm what’s needed for your specific installation.
Key benefit: safer breakage behaviour for people-first spaces.
Applications/ Image Samples
What Is a Double-Glazed Unit (DGU)?
A DGU also called an insulated glass unit (IGU) is two panes of glass separated by a sealed spacer, creating an air or argon-filled cavity. That sealed gap slows heat transfer and can reduce noise, which matters in NZ’s varied climate and for homes on busy streets.
Upgrades like Low-E coatings and argon fill further improve performance. In New Zealand, DGUs are commonly used in exterior windows and doors to improve winter warmth and reduce condensation on cold mornings.
Illustration
Custom Shapes & Cut-outs
We can fabricate glass to suit the job rounds, ovals, clipped corners, notches and more. If you’re planning a unique piece, see our guide to typical shapes and what to consider before templating.
Explore options: [Shapes of Glass]
Which option is right for you?
Want privacy with light? Choose obscure/patterned or acid-etched.
Large mirrors or busy areas? Use safety/backed mirrors.
Warmer, quieter windows? Talk to us about DGUs with Low-E options.
Have a plan or a photo? Send it through and we’ll recommend the glass type and thickness for your space.
