Acid etching glass and sandblasting glass are both frosted glass. Frosted glass is a popular design element in architecture, and not without reason. Frosting ensures that the play of light will be interesting, and it heightens the materiality of the glass. Please find the difference between acid etching glass and sandblasting glass as follows.
Acid Etching Glass
Acid etching glass is frosted with hydrofluoric acid. The surface of the glass is damaged only slightly in the process, and hence the strength of the pane is largely preserved. The concentration of acid used today is very low, but this is compensated for by allowing it to work on the surface of the glass for a long time. The duration of application determines the amount of frosting.
As the roughness of the surface increases, the transparency of the glass is reduced, since a rough surface will increase the scattering of the light that enters. Stencils can be used to etch individual designs, logos, or patterns. In consultation with the manufacturer, etched glass can be tempered or even bent.
Sandblasting Glass
With sandblasting glass, the surfaced is roughened by sandblasting. Since the surface is damaged by the roughening, the strength of a pane is diminished.
Over the course of time, changes in color can result from the roughness of the surface, for example, from grease residue after cleaning. The visual effect is similar to that of etched panes. Images or patterns can also be applied.
Silk Screen Printing Glass
Frosting by screen printing is a way to treat the surface without roughening it. A translucent enamel paint is applied and burned in to make it permanent.
