Collection: Internal Doors With Frosted Glass

Yes, a frosted glass door is designed to give you more privacy than you get with a clear glass door.

However, the exact amount of opacity — or light that’s allowed in — varies between different types of obscure glass internal doors. On some doors, the frosted glass is lightly etched and shapes and movement are faintly visible. On others, the glass is heavily frosted and almost fully opaque. For a bathroom or toilet, we recommend a heavier frost level for added privacy.

You’ll most commonly find frosted glass in bedrooms, bathrooms, en-suites, and downstairs toilets, where privacy is essential but it’s still nice to have some influx of light. 

They also work for spaces such as landings and hallways as they brighten dim, enclosed spaces without sacrificing the sense of spatial separation.

Frosted glass doors let in slightly less light than clear glass doors, but the difference is smaller than you may think, despite the contrast in opacity. The light flow also depends on the type of glass, with lightly etched frosted glass letting in noticeably more natural light than fully frosted glass.

Overall, a frosted glass door will still make your space much brighter, even though it’s designed to obscure people and objects on the other side.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing frosted or clear glass for your internal door. It really comes down to how much light you want to flow into your room and how important seclusion is to you.

Frosted glass, also referred to as obscure glass, is translucent rather than transparent. Soft light can still pass through it, but the view inside is blurred or distorted. This means you can't properly make out the people or objects on the other side of the door, which is ideal if you prefer a little privacy. 

Clear glass doors, on the other hand, let in the maximum amount of natural light and provide a clear, unobstructed view from one space to another. This type of glass door is better suited to hallways connecting living spaces, kitchens, dining rooms, and conservatories, where an open-plan feel is important and privacy isn’t as much of a requirement.

The frosted effect is created by one of two manufacturing methods — sandblasting and acid etching.

Sandblasting involves blasting a pane of glass with fine particles of sand under high pressure. This creates a roughened, textured surface and gives an obscure glass door its hazy appearance. Acid etching, on the other hand, uses a chemical treatment to give the glass a soft, cloudy finish.

The biggest benefit of frosted glass is privacy. Natural light still flows into your interior, but people aren’t able to make out the people or objects on the other side of the door. Frosted glass also hides fingerprints and smudges better than clear glass, meaning you don’t have to clean it as often or as rigorously.

Yes, internal doors with frosted glass can provide good thermal separation between rooms, which is especially beneficial during the cold British winter. However, this is more of a bonus than a defining feature.

If you have any questions about our obscure glass internal doors, feel free to contact us.

Marks tend to be less visible on a frosted glass door than on a clear glass door, but you should still give your frosted glass door a regular clean. This will prevent the build-up of oily smudges, greasy fingerprints, dust, or debris, and keep your door looking fresh all-year-round. 

Here’s what to do:

• Use a standard glass cleaner or mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. 
• Spray directly onto the glass and wipe it gently in circular motions using a soft cloth. Dry the glass with a lint-free cloth to avoid the appearance of wet streaks. 
• For the door frame and timber surfaces, wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid letting cleaning solution run from the glass onto the frame, as residue can be visible on darker finishes.

Don't use abrasive sponges or scourers on frosted glass, as they can scratch the frosted surface. Avoid using paper towels, too, as they will tear against the textured etching, leaving behind a layer of frustrating white lint. 

If you purchase a hinged obscure glass door, check its hinges every six months to see if any screws have come loose. Tighten any loose screws at the earliest opportunity; otherwise, your door could start sagging, causing it to drag along the floor and scrape against and damage the frame.

If you purchase a sliding obscure glass door, check the track fixings and any screws every six months or so, as they can loosen over time due to repeated sliding back and forth. If any have come loose, tend to them with a screwdriver.

For more tips, check out our Step-by-Step Guide on How To Clean Glass Doors.

Here’s why you should buy your obscure glass internal doors from Leader Online:

• Sustainability: We are FSC® & PEFC Certified and can deliver to your door using the most eco-friendly route, with our drivers using set routes and postcodes to minimise carbon emissions.
• In-Home Delivery: We’re the only door retailer that offers in-home delivery, and your doors can be carried into a ground-floor room of your choice.
• Fast Shipping: Your doors will be delivered in as little as 48 hours, on a weekday of your choice when placing your order and selecting Express Delivery at the checkout.
• Price Match: We won’t be beaten on price. If you find like-for-like doors for cheaper elsewhere online, we promise to match it or beat the price.
• Trusted Reputation: We have over 20,000 verified five-star Trustpilot reviews and decades of experience in delivering exceptional customer service.

At Leader Online, we help you create spaces you love without compromising on quality or value. If you have any questions or want to find out more about our internal doors with glass, call our customer service team on 01429 241 270.