Etched Glass Window for Privacy & Decorative Effect

When most people think of the term “etched glass window” they likely picture in their mind a white, frosted glass effect on the glass, which of course is completely accurate. There are, however, different forms of and techniques for achieving etched glass. At Sans Soucie Art Glass, we use a number of various related terms that help us to be more specific with our clients, about the different effects we apply to the glass and various techniques we use. For example, etched glass can be SOLID, and/or it can have SHADING. In this article, we’re going to show examples of both.

Frosted Glass Doors: Bringing Light In, Keeping Eyes Out

Frosted glass doors give homeowners the best of both worlds—generous daylight and real privacy—without relying on blinds or curtains. By applying the same solid-etch or shading techniques shown above, we can tailor each door panel to the room’s needs:

Entry & side-lite privacy. A solid etch over the lower half of an exterior door keeps prying eyes out while letting sunshine pour through the top.
Pantry or laundry doors. Lightly shaded patterns—think vines, waves, or geometric grids—hide the clutter behind the door yet still brighten a dark hallway.
Interior dividers. In home offices or spa-style bathrooms, frosted glass doors soften sound and glare, creating a calm, diffuse glow that feels larger than the square footage.

Whether you choose a full solid frost or a design with subtle shading, each door is sandblasted by hand, so the level of obscurity, pattern placement, and even the edge finish are yours to decide. Click over to our Doors Gallery for ideas on how a single door can transform the look and feel of any space.

A very accurate example of a true "etched glass window", this window features a border of roses, that have been ETCHED AND SHADED, with the background solid etched glass. These privacy windows do not diminish the amount of light coming into the room, but they do beautifully reduce GLARE. — A very accurate example of a true “etched glass window”, this window features a border of roses, that have been ETCHED AND SHADED, with the background solid etched glass. These privacy windows do not diminish the amount of light coming into the room, but they do beautifully reduce GLARE.

SOLID ETCHED GLASS can be achieved through both acid etching, as well as etching the glass by sandblasting. At Sans Soucie Art Glass, our primary method of etching the glass is by sandblasting. The simplest form of what we do, would be a simple, solid etching of the glass, over the entire surface. We do this on a regular basis for door or window glass, where all that’s needed is a nice, frosted white privacy glass for a window or door.

Etched Glass Bathroom Privacy Windows, featuring a Diamond Grid Pattern. The etching comes up just far enough on the window to glass to provide the privacy level needed. The top portion is left clear, allowing for visibility which creates a really nice, open feel in the room, while still having the privacy needed in the tub and shower area.

A text, or a company logo) that’s left CLEAR on the glass. (As seen on the glass panel partitions at the Long Beach Renaissance Hotel, “Renaissance Waves”, below. The background has been solid frosted and the waves are left in clear glass. This would be referred to as a “solid etched glass design”).

Etched Glass Door Inserts, SOLID ETCHED rectangles provide a nice degree of obscurity with contemporary feel.

Etched Glass Panels, restaurant dividers that have been solid (reverse) etched, with an irregular chiseled top edge. This glass is installed inside the Long Beach Renaissance Hotel, in Long Beach, California.

I went through our Windows Gallery this morning, and searched out some of the best examples I could find of a simple, true, “etched glass window” and have posted them in this blog. I’m also demonstrating by placing photos next to one another, of what a SOLID etched glass looks like, verses an etched glass design that also features SHADING. Take a look at the photos of the etched glass mountains: The first photo shows a SOLID ETCHED GLASS technique, the second shows mountains that have been ETCHED AND SHADED. The solid etched, will provide a bit more privacy than the mountains with the shading. “Shading” the glass, is where the sandblast artist leaves a degree of clear glass, lightly fading out the white frosted glass at the edges of design elements. This really creates a beautiful, two dimensional look, EVEN tho this glass is not CARVED. Carving (as seen in the photo of the ROSE) is where the glass is actually sculpted with a design. The artist sandblasts longer and creates a 3 dimensionally, sculpted “relief” texture into the glass.

Etched Glass Window SOLID ETCHED, negative or reverse etching method. This is a shower window, etched for privacy in a Mountain Landscape design.

Etched Glass Window SHADED .. glass is surface etched with shading to create a two dimensional effect.

This photo really represents well, what an "etched and SHADED" design element will look like. These Iris Flowers and Leaves or Reeds are etched and shaded, while the background is solid etched, or frosted. Just a small degree of privacy was needed, in the lower portion of these multi-lite windows. — This photo really represents well, what an “etched and SHADED” design element will look like. These Iris Flowers and Leaves or Reeds are etched and shaded, while the background is solid etched, or frosted. Just a small degree of privacy was needed, in the lower portion of these multi-lite windows.

An Etched Glass Window, with an Acorn Border design in clear glass. A classic example of a "reverse or negative sandblast". — An Etched Glass Window, with an Acorn Border design in clear glass. A classic example of a “reverse or negative sandblast”.

At first glance, these sidelites may appear to have Monsterra leaves that are solid etched only, but if you look closely, you'll see that there's some light shading between the leaves. — At first glance, these sidelites may appear to have Monsterra leaves that are solid etched only, but if you look closely, you’ll see that there’s some light shading between the leaves.

An Etched Glass Window with a clear ironwork motif. This window will provide some privacy when viewed from a distance, but of course when the glass is closely approached, visibility will be possible through the wide clear bands.

Carved Glass Window: My final example, this window is made up of a heavy glass pane, suitable for carvng. The flowers have been beautifully SOLID CARVED. There is no shading, but the glass is not merely "etched", but three-dimensionally sculpture carved. The details in this glass, are absolutely stunning. Click on the photo for additional images of this (as well as all the windows featured in this blog!) — Carved Glass Window: My final example, this window is made up of a heavy glass pane, suitable for carvng. The flowers have been beautifully SOLID CARVED. There is no shading, but the glass is not merely “etched”, but three-dimensionally sculpture carved. The details in this glass, are absolutely stunning.

Click on the links below to see a collections of etched glass windows, using the various techniques:

SOLID ETCHED GLASS WINDOWS

ETCHED & SHADED GLASS WINDOWS

CARVED GLASS WINDOWS

Thank you so much for visiting our blog, and be sure to Contact us for a lot more great information and hundreds of examples of our work!

CHECK OUT OUR VERY POPULAR YouTube VIDEO OF ETCHED GLASS WINDOWS!!

Sans Soucie Art Glass: A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Innovation

Family-owned and operated since 1976, Sans Soucie Art Glass leads the industry in the art of sandblast frosted glass, carved glass, and hand painted glass, transforming ordinary glass into “Works of Art Captured in Glass” that have gained national and global recognition.

Innovative Door Designer Tool

In 2010, we invented and launched our Pantry Door Designer. This fun, easy to use tool, made it possible for anyone to design and customize not only pantry doors, but a whole host of frosted glass doors.

A Wide Range of Frosted Glass Doors

Our product line for glass doors includes options such as an interior door with glass, interior doors with frosted glass panels, front doors with glass, all glass front doors, glass front doors, interior glass doors, glass barn doors.

Doors are no doubt our most popular product. However, following closely behind is a wide range of glass products that are perfect for our beautiful frosted glass designs, for glass throughout your home! These include entry and bathroom windows, shower doors, shower partitions and enclosure showers, glass dining tables, glass coffee tables, glass shelves, decorative mirrors, glass signs, cabinet door glass inserts, and glass wall art.

With FREE SHIPPING on most orders and worldwide shipping from our Studio in Palm Desert, California, our orders are expertly packed in-house by our experienced glaziers. Over the years, we designed and developed our own custom packing materials and methods. These specialized methods protect the glass, resulting in the safe and secure arrival of all our products, from small to large, allowing us to boast a less than 1% damage rate!

Explore our full range of products and discover how Sans Soucie Art Glass can add a unique, custom element that transforms the look and feel of your decor.

Sans Soucie Art Glass: Handcrafted Frosted Glass Doors, Windows, Showers & More Since 1976

Family-owned and operated since 1976, Sans Soucie Art Glass leads the industry in the art of sandblast frosted glass, carved glass, and hand painted glass, transforming ordinary glass into Works of Art Captured in Glass recognized worldwide.

Innovative Frosted Glass Door Designer Tool

In 2010, we invented and launched our Frosted Glass Pantry Door Designer – a fun, easy-to-use tool that makes it simple for anyone to design and customize not only pantry doors, but a wide range of frosted glass doors for every room.

Explore our Frosted Glass Doors Collection

Our custom frosted glass doors include a beautiful variety for every style and space:

If you already have a door, and only need the glass insert, we also offer:

Elegant Frosted Glass Throughout Your Home

While our frosted glass doors are a top choice, we also create stunning glass products for every area of your home, including:

Free Shipping. Expert Packing, Peace of Mind

With FREE SHIPPING on most orders and worldwide delivery from our studio in Palm Desert, California, every order is packed in-house by our expert glaziers using custom materials and proven methods — ensuring safe arrival with a damage rate of less than 1%!

Explore our complete frosted glass doors collection and find the perfect frosted glass door for your space. Have questions? Contact us today!