There’s a moment—usually in a lobby or a boutique fitting room—when diffused daylight feels soft and intentional. Nine times out of ten, you’re looking at acid etched glass. I’ve toured a few plants where it’s made; the texture is subtle, the consistency is the star.
What’s driving demand right now
Open-plan offices still crave privacy. Hotels want soft light without glare. And residential designers are—surprisingly—specifying acid etched glass for pantry doors and shower enclosures to hide smudges. Many customers say it’s “cleaner-looking” than sandblasted glass and less prone to fingerprints.
Process, materials, and standards (quick but real)
Base substrate is soda‑lime float glass (clear or low‑iron). The surface is uniformly etched using a controlled HF‑based chemistry, then neutralized, thoroughly washed, and dried. Panels can be tempered (post‑etch) or laminated. Testing commonly references ASTM C1036 (flat glass), ASTM C1048 (heat‑treated), EN 572 (basic glass), ISO 9050 (optical values), and ASTM D1003 (haze). Service life? Indoors ≈15–25 years; exterior glazing ≈10–20 years depending on exposure and cleaning regimen—real‑world use may vary.
Product snapshot
| Product | Acid Etched Glass (origin: Yushui Economic Development Zone, Shahe City, Hebei, China) |
| Thickness | 3–12 mm |
| Standard sizes | 2140×3660, 2140×3300, 2440×3660, 2440×3300, 2440×3660, 1830×2440 mm; custom cuts available |
| Visible light transmittance (VLT) | ≈70–88% (6 mm, substrate dependent, ISO 9050) |
| Haze (privacy) | ≈85–95% (ASTM D1003) |
| Surface roughness | Micro‑etched satin finish; uniform, fingerprint‑resistant vs sandblasting |
| Post‑processing | Tempering, heat‑soak, lamination (PVB/EVA), edge polishing, drilling |
| Certs (typical) | Meets ASTM C1036; when tempered, meets ASTM C1048 / EN 12150; optical per ISO 9050 |
Where it actually shines
- Office partitions and doors: soft privacy without killing daylight.
- Hospitality: elevator lobbies, feature walls, bar backdrops—low glare, premium feel.
- Residential: shower screens, pantry doors, cabinet fronts; hides smudges better.
- Retail + signage: brand patterns etched for subtle wayfinding.
- Façade fins and balustrades (tempered/laminated): diffuse sparkle outdoors.
Vendor landscape (field notes)
I’ve seen three common routes: make‑to‑order factories, regional processors, and trading houses. Here’s a condensed, no‑nonsense view.
| Vendor | Lead time | MOQ | Certs | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory (Wangmei Glass) | ≈10–20 days | ≈200–300 m² | ASTM/EN reports on request | Sizes, patterns, low‑iron, tempering/lamination |
| Regional Processor A | ≈2–4 weeks | ≈50–150 m² | Local compliance + test data | Cut‑to‑size, tempering; limited color options |
| Trade‑House B | ≈3–6 weeks | Flexible | Varies by supplier | Spec‑based sourcing; variable batch consistency |
Customization notes
Choose clear vs low‑iron (for a clean, neutral white). Add patterns or logos with masked etch. Temper if doors/rails; laminate for safety or acoustic damping (PVB/EVA). Edges polished for touch points. And yes, acid etched glass pairs nicely with bronze or gray interlayers if you want tonal privacy.
Performance and feedback
- Uniformity: tighter than sandblasting, especially on large lites (2440×3660 mm).
- Privacy: haze ≈90% feels right for offices and showers.
- Cleaning: customers report fewer visible fingerprints and easy wipe‑downs.
Mini case notes
Corporate HQ, APAC: 1,100 m² of acid etched glass partitions, 10 mm tempered. Measured VLT ≈76%; staff liked the “calmer” light—less monitor glare.
Urban hotel: 420 m² laminated acid etched glass for guest baths. Housekeeping feedback: smudges mask well; turnover times improved a bit (anecdotal but consistent).
Spec tips (to save your inbox)
- Call out substrate (clear vs low‑iron) and thickness.
- Specify haze and VLT targets (e.g., haze ≥90%, VLT ≥75%).
- State safety needs: tempered to EN 12150 / ASTM C1048; laminated where required.
- Include cleaning guidance—non‑abrasive, pH‑neutral detergents.
References:
- ASTM C1036 – Standard Specification for Flat Glass.
- ASTM C1048 – Heat‑Treated Flat Glass—Kind HS, Kind FT.
- EN 12150 – Thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass.
- ISO 9050 – Glass in building—Solar and light transmittance methods.
- ASTM D1003 – Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics (used for haze methodology on glass surfaces).
Wangmei Group Founded in 2000, the Wangmei Group has grown over the past two decades into a large modern enterprise group, coated glass suppliers specializing in the R&D and manufacture of high-quality float glass, processing glass, and high-end doors and windows.float glass manufacturers Wangmei Group has consistently adhered to the policies and regulations of the Pary and the state, actively responding to government initiatives, and fulfiling the reguirements of the “carbon dioxide emission and carbon neutrality” policies, mirror glass company The Group is commited to adopting an innovation-driven,green development model, tempered glass china fuly supporting the country’s social and economic development.toughened laminated glass suppliers