You may be thinking all glass shower doors are the same. Sure, glass can come in different shapes, shades, and sizes, but the overall composition is the same, right? The short answer is no; there are a variety of different glass types. When it comes to your frameless shower installation, there are two common kinds of glass: low-iron and clear. Their properties differ because the elements that create them aren’t the same. One may be better suited than the other for specific design projects. Let’s break down the difference and benefits of a low iron glass design!
Regular Clear Glass
While “clear” is in the name, clear glass is not the clearest type of glass you can get. Although regular clear glass does not have a high iron content, it is still higher than low iron glass. It is this iron content that can cause clear glass to have a greenish tinge. The green tint color is especially noticeable around the edges of the glass. While Standard clear glass is not the clearest type of glass it is still beautiful.
When To Use
Regular Clear Glass is best suited for those on a budget. It can also be a great fit for those who have a low light or dim bathroom where the greenish hue of the glass won’t be as noticeable. If you have a love of dark tile or earth tones then standard clear glass could be a perfect match. The darker the bathroom combined with a dark tones color scheme the more clear standard glass will be better suited for you.
Low Iron Glass
Low iron glass has a few different names such as extra-clear glass, ultra-clear, starphire, or optically clear. It’s created by reducing the amount of iron in the molten glass formula to deliver the highest level of clarity. The low iron composition removes the green tint seen in regular clear glass. It elevates light transition giving you the most transparent glass possible. In fact, modifying the iron content can increase light transmittance by 91%. Manufactured using quality materials and low iron content, low iron glass is noticeably clearer and is color-neutral, unlike standard clear glass. The level of clarity will help to open up your bathroom space and showcase your new beautiful bathroom and tile. You’ll notice the difference!
When To Use
Best suited for bathrooms that are very bright and full of natural light. We would not recommend standard clear glass for a bright bathroom where the greenish hue is bound to be more noticeable. The brightness of the bathroom will help to make the clarity of the low iron glass sparkle and stand out. A bathroom that has light colored tile or a grey and white color scheme then low iron glass is a perfect fit.
Benefits of a Low Iron Glass Design
Low iron glass is a popular choice from both homeowners and business owners alike. Some of the key advantages of installing low iron glass include:
- Exceptional Clarity: We’ve said it several times, but clarity matters. Low iron glass offers a level of brilliant clarity that regular clear glass just can not match.
- Colorless Appearance: Low iron glass is colorless. The green tinge that is inherent to other clear glass types is not present in low iron glass. The lack of color makes it perfect for transparency and showcasing your tile.
- Higher Light Transmissions: If you are looking to add natural light while simultaneously opening your space, low iron glass offers the most transparency. Low iron glass has a 91% light transmittance. With transparency that high, you’ll notice the difference! Low iron glass provides sparkling clarity and undistorted transmission of color.
Still on the fence? It is best to work with a glass expert that understands your goals and design needs. Contact Premier Glass, with over a decade of experience; we are qualified to help you with your bathroom glass and frameless shower needs!
