Block Transparency Guide
Wave Design
The Wave design provides our most popular pattern. With subtle waves on both faces of glass, giving slight distortion of view through. Perfect for an internal or external feature wanting to boast maximum light passage without being able to see directly through. The Light Transmission of a Clear Wave Design is 80%, whereas a coloured Wave Design would range between 55% – 75%.
View Design
The View Design provides more of a 'double glazed window feels with no pattern at all. The View Design would be suitable for both internal and external applications where privacy is not a requirement. The Light Transmission of a Clear View Design is 80%, whereas a coloured View Design would range between 55% – 75%.
Arctic
The Arctic Design provides a level of obscurity which would be suitable as use in a shower screen in the home or on an external office block in the City. The Arctic Pattern is almost like a frosting but patterned in the glass as opposed to being applied externally to the glass face. This keeps a smooth face on the glass for easy cleaning as the pattern in on the inside. The Light Transmission of an Arctic Design is 80%.
Wave & View Satin 1 Side
The Wave + View Satin Finish 1 Side Design provides full obscurity. This externally applied blasting fully coats the face of the glass block, giving only brief outlines of what's behind. The Wave + View Satin Finish 1 Side would be ideal for a bathroom application either internally or externally. The Light Transmission of a Wave + View Satin Finish 1 Side Design is 70%, a reduction of 10% from a Clear glass block.
Wave & View with Satin 2 Sides
The Wave + View Satin Finish 2 Side Design provides full obscurity too. This externally applied blasting fully coats both faces of the glass block. The Wave + View Satin Finish 1 Side is perfect for both an internal or external project where obscurity is more important that the light passage. The Light Transmission of a Wave + View Satin Finish 2 Side Design is 61%, a reduction of 9% from a Wave + View Satin Finish 1 Side, and a 19% reduction from a Clear glass block.
Cross Ribbed
The Cross Ribbed Design provides a distortion of light through almost creating lots of small windows through the glass, multiplying the image behind it – being so small, its difficult to see what the other side is. The Cross Ribbed pattern, much like the Wave pattern, produces a level of light distortion with more of a distinctive, linear design on the faces whilst also maintaining a good level of light transmittance. The Light Transmission of the Cross Ribbed Design is 80%, the same as most other clear glass designs.
Doric
The Doric Design is really something special. Boasting the first ever 3D pattern on a glass block, this gives an aesthetically pleasing vision from every angle. The Doric Range comes in different sizes and different finishes dependant on the preference. The Doric Metallised would provide an uplift in light passage due to the mirrored paint applied internally to the block. The Satin 1 Side would provide a full level of obscurity, the same as the Wave/View Satin 1 Side as above, this would of course reduce the passing light.
Other Designs
We also have a wide range of other designs available each providing its own unique obscurity and transparency through its design.