Glass used to be used in homes and businesses simply for functional needs, like windows and doors, and it wasn’t until about ten years ago that it began to be used as a feature, something to add interest and make a statement rather than purely for functionality.

Today, a variety of different glasses are used, each having different functions and uses, which can vary from home to commercial use. The main vessels used include:

• Textured glass

This glass can be used as a visual element, as well as a functional and structural building material, and is a very popular choice among many architects. A variety of patterns can be used to create the customer’s requested textured look, including bubbles, cracked effect, ice, studs, and many more. Many companies also offer the added advantage of being able to tint the glass in a color of their choice, which means that it can be matched to the customer’s chosen color scheme. Textured glass is probably the most versatile of the architectural glass ranges and can be used for balustrades, partition walls, sliding doors, reception desks, siding, accent walls, wet rooms, frameless doors, and many other applications.

• Painted glass

Painted glass is often used now where mosaic was the only option in the past. It provides a smooth, contemporary look and can help bring the feeling of light and space to an interior. One of the main attractions of painted glass is the fact that it can be combined with more or less any color of paint, which makes it extremely versatile. As with all types of glass, painted glass will toughen to meet British and European safety standards, which is extremely important considering that this glass is often used in kitchens so it can be subject to high temperatures. Painted glass can be used for kitchen backsplashes, countertops, bar fronts, office whiteboards, and many other applications.

• Golden glass

Gold glass is often used to bring light and reflections into a room and one of the many benefits of this type of glass is the fact that it can usually be made to your own needs. Gilding can be applied to glass in many different ways, including branches, mosaic squares, waves, and vintage look, as well as a variety of colors such as gold, bronze, and silver. Gold glass can be used for walls, backsplashes, mirrors, artwork, door panels, table tops, and many other applications.