Glass Types

Perhaps the most noticeable and yet misunderstood feature of a historic building is that of its glass and the way that glass influences both the atmosphere and ambience of the building. The influence of glass can be seen both internally and externally, working in a reflective and refractive capacity.

The most common glass in production today is float glass. This can be supplied in tempered / toughened and laminated versions. However, we have a wide variety of historic glass types manufactured for us that can be used as the outer pane in our units. Whether it’s machine or hand-drawn glass, cylinder glass or obscured glass.

Because of this we have all of the old glazing types made specially for us in Germany, according to the old recipes and production techniques. We don’t offer imitations. The ream and seed in old glass types has a certain density, frequency and pattern and cannot be imitated. There is no substitute!

Float

Float Glass

Late 1950s onwards.

This type of glass is most commonly seen in buildings constructed from the 1960s onwards. It can also be supplied in a tempered / toughened version or laminated safety glass.

MD

Machine Drawn Glass

Approx. 1915-1960.

Our Machine Drawn Glass is made according the Fourcault principle.

GD

Hand Drawn Glass

Approx. 1860-1920.

It has fewer imperfections than the preceding hand-drawn cylinder glass, but the upward draw gives it a wavy character. Most Victorian properties would have a version of this GD glass.

Cylinder

Cylinder Glass

Approx. 1700-1860.

This glass has a fair amount of imperfections and the ream and seed give it its distinctive characteristics. It is still produced in the traditional way by skilled craftsmen.

Obscured

Obscured Glass

Obscured glass is also known as textured, diffused or privacy glass. We have an extensive range of obscure glass, available in a vast array of colours, patterns and textures.