EDITOR ' S CHOICE
BATHING BEAUTY
One area where beauty is easily as important as function , is in the domestic bathroom . Whether you prefer a shower , need an extra ensuite , or want to create a soothing bathroom oasis , glass should be part of the equation , say Susan Sinden , Commercial Manager for ESG .
Glass has many applications in bathroom settings , the shower enclosure being perhaps the most familiar . Toughened glass is a must for shower enclosures as it is far safer , breaking , if damaged , into small granular fragments which cause far less harm to occupants than the large shards into which annealed glass can break .
Glass shower enclosures are very familiar ; however , modern glass processing techniques have expanded the possibilities , and they can now be enhanced with tinted glass , or other decorative touches such as back painting or etching .
The more recent revolution , however , has been in the use of toughened laminated glass , in which a PolyVinyl Butyrall ( PVB ) interlayer is laminated between two panes of glass toughened glass . This opens up a host of decorative possibilities , including the increasingly popular switchable LCD privacy glass , which uses an advanced interlayer through which a small electric current is passed . The current causes the glass to become optically clear and transparent , but once it is switched off , the glass returns to an opaque state , providing total privacy .
In domestic settings , switchable privacy glass is fast becoming a favourite with interior designers , as it allows the creation of distinct living spaces , without
using solid walls , allowing occupants to enjoy the view , or seclusion , at will .
Switchable glass can be used to great effect in bathrooms , ensuites , and bedrooms , where privacy is essential . In a large bedroom , an additional ensuite can be created , but this often entails using an outside wall with a window or cutting out natural light . An ingenious solution , therefore , is to construct the interior wall between bedroom and bathroom from glass panels , so that light can continue to spill through .
Outside windows in a bathroom or shower room can cause a dilemma , as not all window treatments are suitable for a potentially steamy environment . Many designers are now choosing to dispense with blinds or shutters , and use switchable privacy glass instead . ESG Switchable glass can be operated from an app , so it ’ s perfectly possible to switch it off for disrobing and getting into a bath by a window , then switch on to enjoy the view outside while bathing .
It ’ s the best of both worlds . www . esg . glass
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