Looking for a material that can deliver on aesthetics and functionality without trade-offs in practicality? Acid-etched glass might just fit the bill – it adds a layer of customization to the design, while still being economical.

In the November issue of US Glass, Metal and Glazing Magazine, Clark shared his insights on the versatile material’s myriad applications for the article, “Surface Attraction: Aesthetics and Performance of Acid-Etched Glass.”

Acid-etched glass transforms a space as its softly textured surface interacts with natural light, diffusing to a soft glow. Unlike traditional sandblasting, acid-etching yields precise, eye-pleasing patterns for impressive backdrops, opacifying the glass while keeping it smooth.

“Acid-etched glass is ideal for exteriors and interiors, including privacy applications, office fronts, partitions, lobbies, elevator lobbies, and even stairs, railings and floors,” says John Clark, Regional Sales Manager for McGrory Glass.

For adding decorating aesthetics to a space, acid-etched glass can be extra economical compared to laminated glass or printed interlayers.

“Case in point: if you want to add a privacy gradient for office or conference room glass panels that’s opaque at the bottom and clear at the top, you can get an etched gradient at about half the cost of custom laminated glass,” notes Clark. “While it does limit the ability to customize the glass, I often find that monolithic, acid etched glass can make a great VE option for budget conscience clients and projects.”

Plus, acid-etched glass provides anti-glare and anti-fingerprint properties, and can even be writable and projectable for designing multi-functional, inspiration-infused working spaces. McGrory’s acid-etch glass is also easy to clean – something that’s essential for material used in high-touch, high-traffic areas and collaborative (ie: finger-print filled) environments.

Along with adding decorative and functional qualities to indoor spaces, acid-etched glass helps create light-filled environments that promote a feeling of well-being.

Acid-etched glass with a unique organic pattern allows the play of natural light in Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, FL. Architect: Array Architects.

“Acid-etched glass doesn’t restrict the flow of natural or artificial light through a space,” Clark points out. “This adds positive value to the overall indoor environmental quality, and provides occupants with one of the most sought-after inside resources: natural light. Madras®’ line has an especially wide variety of unique opacities and patterns, for different translucency, light transmission and tactile preferences that fit just about any design.”

Architects and designers can even pair acid-etched glass with graphics for additional layers of customization, dimensionality, patterns, texture, and diffusion of light.

“Acid-etched glass can transform artwork so it doesn’t just look like a flat graphic on the wall,” Clark says.

The lobby of Slayton Search Partners in Chicago, IL. Architect: East Lake Studios.

A stunning example of this is the new focal point of Slayton Search Partners’ Chicago office redesign by Eastlake Studio: the centerpiece elevator lobby created with McGrory’s laminated decorative glass. The custom cladding includes an awe-inspiring digital print of Slayton’s colorful logo layered beneath a Madras® acid-etched front for a one-of-a-kind outcome with remarkable depth and immediate impact.

“The addition of a customized, etched, patterned face provides depth, and allows light to play with the glass in a way that standard low-iron surfaces just can’t,” Clark explains. “Additionally, the horizontal, organic, etched pattern on the glass surface creates synergy with the organic, horizontal flow of the Slayton graphic. The graphic and the etch come together to create a visual that is greater than the sum of the individual elements.”

CLICK HERE to read the entire article, “Surface Attraction: Aesthetics and Performance of Acid-Etched Glass.”

RELATED CONTENT: Click here to read Outside Context and Inside Art, an interview with artist Jack Larimore. The article explores the unique potential of glass as a material in interior design:

“Glass can offer a theatrical sensibility to an interior for all of these reasons, but also for the different ways that it responds to light,” says Jack. “An etched mirror has a diffused surface, so it’s not really a mirror – but it loves light. It’s also activated by movement. You don’t see yourself clearly, but if you move past it there’s just enough reflection to create activity in the glass. It’s one of the few materials out there that can offer that dynamic.”