Dillmeier Glass News & Trends

Is “Clear” Glass the Clearest Glass You Can Get?

Written by Dillmeier Glass | Jan 30, 2017 2:30:32 PM

When architects, contractors and interior designs are looking to fill an interior space with glass elements, they usually want to use the clearest glass possible. They want transparent glass that lets people see right through it without any hindrances.

There are a range of applications for the most transparent glass, including:

Although many people may believe that all glass is clear, actually there are different levels of clarity that you can choose from. Surprisingly enough, regular clear glass isn’t the clearest glass available. In fact, it can be one of the least transparent kinds of glass because it has a greenish tint. Why? Because Iron oxide is a necessary ingredient in glass, but unfortunately it also causes slight discoloration. 

The top choice for those interested in using high-transparency glass is low-iron glass. During its production, iron oxide is carefully removed by the glass manufacturer before the material is transformed into the desired application. As a result, the greenish tone is absent, which makes the glass basically colorless.

Why does glass clarity matter?  

Not every application requires extremely clear glass, but the material’s transparency is an important factor because it can make or break the space’s overall look.

With its high translucency, low-iron glass walls can help brighten up an office interior. Using low iron glass is also necessary if your project includes back-painted glass. Otherwise you'll wonder why the color looks green or muddy. And who wants to look through an aquarium and be unable to clearly see the fascinating creatures swimming behind the glass?

Whatever space you’re interested in creating or enhancing, be sure to consider which kind of glass would be best suited for it. A reputable glass fabricator will help you make the right choice.