These days, people in glass houses can expect privacy, security and practicality, as Susan Sinden, Commercial Manager for ESG Group Ltd, explains.

The traditional view of a glass house was that of fragility and exposure, but advances in glass processing have brought about huge changes, making significant expanses of glass a practical option in domestic homes, as well as commercial buildings.

Toughened laminated glass, created by laminating together two or more panes of toughened glass with advanced PVB interlayers, has given us a modern building material which is unsurpassed in its versatility and range of applications.

We once kept glazing to a minimum for fear of breakages, but toughened laminated glass has allowed us to construct entire walls and uninterrupted glass vistas which also deliver on durability, safety and security.

Specialist interlayers, bonded to glass panels in the lamination process, have helped to make glass panels larger, lighter and stronger for their relative sizes, and can also be used to introduce sound attenuation, colour and privacy.

One of the great advantages of glass is that you don’t have to redecorate it after a few years as its highly resilient surface means that it will stay pristine for many decades. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t add colour – there are several ways to do this. Glass can be back-painted in a solid colour to add a hygienically sealed splash of colour, particularly popular in kitchen splashbacks, as glass is perhaps the best of all wipe-clean surfaces.

We can now add a magnetic coating to the reverse of a pane of glass, so you can also enjoy a perfectly colour-matched magnetic glass wipe board in the kitchen, office or playroom too. We can also add colour using Vanceva coloured interlayers, which allow light to flood through, adding colour from sunlight on neutral interiors. Glass can also be digitally printed with your own preferred colours and designs.

LCD privacy glass is increasingly in demand, especially for creating ensuite bath or shower rooms in tight spaces. This privacy glass is literally switched on and off as required. It relies on a sophisticated LCD interlayer, which becomes transparent when the current is switched on, but reverts to opaque when switched off. Glass such as ESG Switchable™ can also be used to replace curtains or other window treatments, allowing you to enjoy the view when switched on, but giving you complete seclusion when switched off.

For adding practical features such as high security, colour, privacy and even sound attenuation, ironically, people in glass houses now get all the best choices.

www.esg.glass.