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The Art of Privacy: A Complete Guide to Obscure & Textured Glass

Q: Can people see in at night when the lights are on inside?

Privacy levels work both ways, but the effect changes at night. If it is dark outside and you have bright lights on inside, your silhouette will be visible against the glass if you are standing close to it, especially with lower privacy levels (1-3). Level 4 and 5 glass will still obscure details significantly, showing only vague shapes.

Q: Which obscure glass is best for a front door?

For front doors, we usually recommend Satin (Level 5) for a modern look, or Stippolyte (Level 4). Both offer excellent privacy from street traffic while letting light flood your hallway. Satin is particularly popular for composite door fanlights.

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The Art of Privacy: A Complete Guide to Obscure & Textured Glass

The Complete Guide to Obscure & Textured Glass (Privacy Levels Explained) | KJM Group

We all love natural light filling our homes; it makes spaces feel bigger, brighter, and more welcoming. However, we also value our privacy. This creates a common dilemma: how do you stop prying eyes from looking into your bathroom, front door, or overlooked bedroom without blocking out the sun?

📌 Key Takeaways

🛡️ Privacy Without Darkness: Obscure glass distorts views to provide privacy while still allowing up to 85% of natural light to enter.
📊 The 1-5 Scale: Privacy levels are graded from 1 (low obscuration, decorative) to 5 (high obscuration, for bathrooms).
✨ Texture vs. Satin: Choose patterns for a decorative look, or satin (acid-etched) for a modern matte finish.
🏡 Local Choice: High-privacy levels (4-5) are standard for overlooked homes in Andover and Winchester.

The solution is obscure glass. Often referred to as textured, patterned, or privacy glass, this is a staple of modern glazing designed to balance light transmission with visual distortion.

1. What is Obscure Glass?

Obscure glass is glazing that has been treated with a texture or acid-etching to distort the view through it.

Standard clear glass is flat and smooth, allowing light rays to pass straight through. Obscure glass, however, is passed through rollers to imprint a pattern or sandblasted to create a frosted surface. When light hits this uneven surface, it refracts (bends) in multiple directions.

$Diagram showing how textured glass refracts light to create privacy$

Textured glass scatters light rays, blurring the image while maintaining brightness.

2. Understanding the 5-Point Privacy Scale

Not all obscure glass offers the same level of privacy. To help homeowners choose, the industry uses a standard Privacy Level scale ranging from 1 to 5.

Level	Description & Best Use	Pilkington Examples
Level 1 (Low)	Minimal obscuration. Shapes/colours clearly visible. Best for: Decorative internal doors.	Warwick™
Level 2 (Low-Mid)	Slight distortion. Figures are blurred but recognizable. Best for: Hallways not directly overlooked.	Minster™
Level 3 (Medium)	Good balance. Shapes visible, details are not. Best for: Living/dining areas.	Cotswold™, Sycamore™
Level 4 (High)	High obscuration. Difficult to see details. Best for: Bathrooms, en-suites.	Stippolyte™, Contora™, Oak™
Level 5 (Max)	Maximum privacy. Only vague shadows visible. Best for: Ground floor bathrooms.	Satin (Sandblasted), Pelerine™

3. Popular Pattern Gallery

Below is a selection of popular patterns from the Pilkington range available through KJM Group.

Warwick™ (L1)

Minster™ (L2)

Cotswold™ (L3)

Stippolyte™ (L4)

Contora™ (L4)

Oak™ (L4)

Charcoal Sticks™ (L4)

Pelerine™ (L5)

Everglade™ (L5)

Want to see these patterns in real life?

Glass always looks different in person. Come to our showroom to see the obscure glass wall.

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📥 Download the Brochure

View complete technical specifications and additional privacy patterns.

Download Pilkington Texture Glass Brochure (PDF)

4. Types of Finish: Patterned vs. Satin

1. Textured/Patterned Glass

Produced using rollers, these feature distinct designs like floral motifs or geometric shapes. They add character and catch the light in unique ways.

2. Satin (Sandblasted/Acid-Etched) Glass

For a contemporary look, Satin glass is the preferred choice. It offers a uniform, flat, matte finish across the entire pane (similar to “frosted” glass). It diffuses light evenly, creating a soft glow without distracting patterns. It is our #1 request for modern bathrooms.

5. Comparison: Light & Cost

A common myth is that privacy glass makes a room dark. This is rarely true.

Glass Type	Light Transmission	Relative Cost
Standard Clear Glass	~90%	Base Price
Textured (e.g., Stippolyte)	~85-88%	Small Surcharge (+)
Satin (Acid Etched)	~84%	Higher Surcharge (++)

6. Local Advice: What Works in Hampshire?

🏡 Local Insight: Andover & Winchester Homes

In our experience serving Hampshire, privacy is a top priority for terraced properties or homes with side-return windows.

Dense Residential (Townhouses): We almost always recommend Level 5 privacy (Satin or Pelerine). Proximity to neighbours means Level 3 often isn’t enough.
Rural Cottages: Traditional patterns like Autumn™ or Minster™ (Level 2-3) remain popular as they mimic heritage glazing aesthetics.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Does obscure glass block out light?

No. While it diffuses light, the actual reduction in light transmission is minimal compared to clear glass. Even a Level 5 Satin glass allows roughly 84% of natural light to pass through.

Can people see in at night when the lights are on inside?

Privacy works both ways, but the effect changes at night. If it is dark outside and you have bright lights inside, your silhouette will be visible against the glass if you are standing close to it, especially with lower privacy levels (1-3).

Which obscure glass is best for a front door?

We recommend Satin (Level 5) for a modern look, or Stippolyte (Level 4). Both offer excellent privacy from street traffic while letting light flood your hallway.

Is textured glass harder to clean?

In a double-glazed unit, the textured surface is usually placed facing into the cavity. This means both the internal and external surfaces of your window are smooth flat glass, making them just as easy to clean as standard windows.

📚 Explore Our Glass Knowledge Hub

Your complete guide to modern glazing technology.

🛡️ Safety: Toughened Glass 🔒 Security: Laminated Glass ☀️ Efficiency: Low-E Glass ✨ Clean: Self-Cleaning Glass 💎 Clarity: Low-Iron Glass 📞 Contact Us: Free Survey

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Mark Pearce

With over four decades in the glazing industry, Mark Pearce has been at the heart of KJM Windows & Conservatories since 1983. Starting as a building labourer, he quickly rose through the ranks, working as a window and door installer from 1984, a factory operator manufacturing windows later that year, factory manager in 1992, and joining the sales team in 1994. Becoming a Director in 2002, and finally, the sole owner in 2010, Mark Pearce is truly a double glazing expert and has led KJM to become a leading supplier of high-quality windows, doors, and conservatories across Andover and the South of England.

Mark Pearce is a highly experienced specialist in the double glazing industry, having built his knowledge from the ground up through hands-on experience in installation, manufacturing, sales, and business management. Beyond his role at KJM, Mark is a keen blogger, writer, and traveller, often sharing insights on the latest innovations in the home improvement industry.

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Timber - PVC - Aluminium - Windows, Doors & Conservatories in Hampshire

The Art of Privacy: A Complete Guide to Obscure & Textured Glass

The Art of Privacy: A Complete Guide to Obscure & Textured Glass

1. What is Obscure Glass?

2. Understanding the 5-Point Privacy Scale