Toned Glass
What is Toned Glass?
Toned glass, also referred to as tinted glass, is created by adding colouring additives to clear glass during the manufacturing process. This produces glass with a variety of tones, each designed to reduce glare and solar heat gain.
Unlike tinted films applied after installation, toned glass has a uniform colour that is built into the glass itself, ensuring lasting performance and durability.
The benefits of choosing toned glass
Reduction in heat and glare: Toned glass absorbs solar heat, reducing the sun’s impact on your home and making it more comfortable year-round.
Protects furniture: By blocking harmful UV rays, toned glass helps reduce fading of furniture, flooring, and interior finishes.
Lower cooling costs: Its ability to reduce solar heat gain means your air conditioning system won’t have to work as hard, lowering energy costs.
Daytime privacy: Toned glass increases privacy by limiting visibility into your home during the day, without the need for blinds or curtains.
Minimal exterior reflection: Toned glass has reduced reflectivity compared to other glass types, creating a seamless and subtle finish that complements modern designs.
Toned glass options
At WA Custom Glass, we offer a range of toned glass options designed to reduce heat, glare, and UV exposure while improving the appearance of your windows and doors.
The following performance values are provided as a guide only, as factors such as glass thickness and type can influence light, solar, and UV levels. Our experts can help you select the right tone to meet your specific needs.
Clear Tone
Clear glass is the standard option for windows and doors, offering high visibility and maximum light transmission.
- Light reduction: 10%
- Solar transmission: 10%
- UV transmission: 35%
Neutral Tone
Neutral toned glass has a soft tint that reduces glare while maintaining a natural, bright light effect. This tone is only available in Low-E glass and is perfect for projects prioritising energy efficiency and comfort.
- Light reduction: 35%
- Solar transmission: 55%
- UV transmission: 60%
Grey Tone
Grey toned glass is ideal for achieving a darker, modern aesthetic while significantly reducing glare and UV light. This tone is a popular choice for homes in warmer climates, as it provides excellent solar heat control and enhances privacy during the day.
- Light reduction: 50%
- Solar transmission: 50%
- UV transmission: 75%
Green Tone
Green toned glass offers a softer, more natural light effect while reducing solar heat gain. It’s perfect for spaces where a balance of glare reduction and natural aesthetics is desired.
- Light reduction: 20%
- Solar transmission: 50%
- UV transmission: 65%
When selecting toned glass, it’s important to consider how tone selection may impact light levels, privacy, and the overall feel of your space.
At WA Custom Glass, we help you navigate these factors to ensure your glass choice perfectly balances style, comfort, and functionality.
Obscure options
For even greater privacy, toned glass can be paired with obscure finishes. These combinations allow you to achieve full privacy while still enjoying the benefits of solar heat reduction and glare control. Obscure toned glass is a popular choice for bathrooms, bedrooms, and front doors where both privacy and light control are important.
While toned glass increases privacy during the day, it does not offer the same level of privacy at night when interior lights are on. For spaces requiring privacy at all times, pairing toned glass with translucent or obscure glass can help create the ideal solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about toned glass to help you understand its benefits and applications.
Toned glass is ideal for reducing heat, glare, and UV exposure, making it perfect for windows and doors in warmer climates or unshaded areas. It’s also a popular choice for modern designs where privacy and a sleek aesthetic are desired.
The colour additives in toned glass absorb a greater proportion of solar heat and glare compared to clear glass. This helps maintain a cooler indoor temperature and reduces the strain on air conditioning systems.
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how much solar radiation is transmitted through glass. Toned glass reduces SHGC by absorbing solar energy, meaning less heat enters your home. A lower SHGC value is especially beneficial in warmer climates where keeping your home cool is a priority. If energy efficiency is a concern, pairing toned glass with Low-E coatings or double glazing can further improve performance.
Yes, toned glass reduces light transmission, but the level depends on the tone selected. Grey and darker tones block more light, while green or neutral tones maintain softer, more natural light. If natural light is a priority, our experts can recommend the best tone for your space.
Toned glass improves privacy during the day by limiting visibility from the outside. However, it does not provide privacy at night when interior lights are on. For full privacy, consider pairing toned glass with an obscure finish.
Yes, toned glass can be paired with other performance glass types, such as Low-E or laminated glass, to enhance energy efficiency, UV protection, and even noise reduction.
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