Design & decorate: Let the light in

Transform your space with architectural glazing and glossy surfaces and go from gloomy to glowing. Here's how...

Walls, Floors and Staircases

Toughened glasses, and the silicones used to glue them together, have developed enormously over the past few years. Plus there are now many more reputable engineers who can design and make up complete structures that are fixed together almost invisibly. This means you can create walls, floors and even staircases (including the risers, treads and a screen) entirely from glass.


  • PARTITION WALLS When compared to the cost of more standard building materials, glass can seem expensive, but it makes an incredible difference to a space. Use a glass wall to section off a home office in an open-plan area, or an opaque panel to bring light into a gloomy bathroom. Interestingly, it’s also a more efficient sound barrier than a regular partition wall. Make sure, however, that you add soft fabrics and colours to offset the hard lines of the glass.
  • GLASS FLOORING This is one dramatic design idea that has trickled down from commercial buildings and architecture into the domestic arena. Using glass that’s strong enough to walk on means you can create a light channel between two levels. ‘In a recent project, we excavated a basement and installed a glass ceiling so you could look up into the dining area,’ says Tony de Witt at GlasSpace. ‘It was supported by low-iron laminated glass beams, which meant that they were clear and the view was totally unrestricted.’ This is a great way to shift light through a number of storeys and can be done on a reasonable budget. If you want to retain privacy between rooms, or if you are dubious about walking on a transparent floor, use frosted glass.
  • STAIRCASES ‘Glass is a fantastic material. Its light, ethereal quality means you can create staircases that appear to float,’ says Richard McLane, co-director of glass staircase company Bisca. ‘Always remember, though, that glass staircases are a feat of engineering. The type of glass used, the way in which it’s supported and how it's connected to other materials such as steel or wood are all factors that require highly specialist knowledge, so always consult an expert.’
  • PRIVACY If you choose to use glass, also consider that you sometimes need privacy. Fortunately, there are lots of modern ways to make glass opaque. Sand blasting, etching and films are a world away from old-fashioned patterned glass, and can be used internally or externally to create privacy.

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