Glass
Splashbacks
and
Shower
screens
Last updated
SPLASHBACKS
Splashbacks, (sometimes called Colour Back
Glass) in their most common form are simply processed glass panels with paint
applied to one side.
To create the right effect or match the existing
colours of a kitchen, the process usually starts with a quote.
Generally this is done from information you
supply, without the need for an initial site visit. (This is a benefit for you
in the time saved in making an appointment and ensuring someone is there to
show the sales rep the area.)
Most splashbacks are around 600 mm high and
many have holes required for power points.
Where the range hood or top cupboards intrude
into the splashback space, this can be handled by cutting the glass to the
shape or cut into 3 pieces to achieve the same goal.
The only difference is the cost of the more
difficult task of cutting the glass to shape.
Splashback before exhaust hood fitted.
The
cost of cutting and processing a shape this one is about double the cost of doing
it in 3 three pieces.
Virtually
all glass for splashbacks is toughened 6mm clear or 6mm ultra clear glass. The principle
is to paint the back of the glass which has been treated to accept a 2-pack
automotive or other specialty paint.
To
begin, we cut our splashbacks from the super clear glass to obtain a near
perfect colour match. Sometimes we use normal glass where the effect required
is white with a green tinge.
After
cutting, the glass has all its edges polished and then washed. From the washer
it goes to the processing area for shaping and cutouts for power points. It
then goes back through the washer and into the furnace for tempering.
The
glass will now be heated to 650 degrees Celsius and rapidly cooled to produce
the hardening effect.
After
checking for imperfections, it is transported to the painters for surface
treatment, sprayed, sealed with a blackout coat and baked in the painting oven.
It is
then given a final check before being transporting to site for fitting.
When the glass for splash backs is hardened, it
becomes a Grade A Safety glass.
It is then sometimes used as the wall sheeting for a shower
screen and this photo shows a matching glass splashback behind the vanity.
This outstanding bathroom by Kim Larsen (Interior
Decorator) features black glass background and dark grey transparent screens.
SHOWER SCREENS
Movable
shower screens come in three versions; the oldest is the fully framed sliding
screen with the newer versions being the semi frameless pivot door screens and
the fully frameless stand-alone glass screens.
The
most popular shower screen today is the semi frameless. This is because the cost is only slightly more
than the fully framed version but with the look of the more luxurious, totally
frameless.
The
main difference between the frameless and the semi frameless, is the glass
thickness, the glass machining costs and the stainless hardware required for
moving the panels. Semi frameless screens use 6mm clear toughened safety glass.
As the frameless glass is essentially self supporting, 10mm or thicker is used
with heavy duty hinges.
This
is what you will see in the home beautiful magazines and cost is about double that
of a semi frameless screen to cover the same area.
These two photos of frameless glass cover a single wall
with divisions to separate the shower from the dressing and vanity area.
Located in one of the penthouses in the Sebel Harbour
Lights Hotel overlooking The Pier in Cairns
While this has the look of the frameless glass in the
Penthouse above, it is actually a semi-frameless screen with hardened 6mm clear
glass. Very strong but light enough for normal pivot mechanical fixings. You
can see the thin outer frame at the top of the screen which provides support for
the glass.
The semi frameless shower screen is far more common
and most new residential apartment buildings feature mostly semi frameless with
a couple of frameless screens in the penthouses.
We are always happy to talk to you and
provide advice.
Thanks
for paying us a visit.
Dan Austin Glass
More
details and photos to come.
In the
interim, if you want more, call us on 4725 4444 or email dan@austinglass.com.au