Frosted glass panel for an interior door

[nw60312]

Hello,

Need to build a bath room door with a glass door panel, it will be a sliding door. Looking for a 'frosted' panel that will let light in but provide a decent amount of privacy.

Any recommendations on materials for this, glass vs plastic, types of plastics etc?

Suggestions for online suppliers would also be appreciated.

Thanks!!!
-Nate

 

[Cheese]

I just purchased an entire full view bathroom door from Menards. It was less expensive than me cobbling up something from bits & pieces. I installed it about 5 years ago and it works well. It looks better from both inside the bathroom and outside the bathroom. I think it was $200-$250. Just paint and install your pocket door hardware. The glass panel has just the right amount of privacy and it has a slight greenish cast to it.

I priced a full view frosted & tempered glass panel from Brin Northwestern, a local glass shop, and the glass alone was over $300.

[attachimg=1]

 

[nw60312]

Unfortunately the local building inspector is very particular. In this case an off the shelf door slab won't work, it needs to be a wonky size. I priced out custom sizes a while ago and they got crazy expensive...

 

[Michael Kellough]

Could you add-on and or cut down a stock door?

 

[Cheese]

That particular door can be ordered in 24", 28", 30", 32" & 36" widths. Certainly one of those could be cut down to a wonky size. The door can also be ordered with no lockset bore and with a multitude of other options such as jamb size, door construction, door frame material, hardware finish.
https://midwest.menards.com/YDYWInternetDesktop/estimate.do;jsessionid=6F85A424DBF6BE93E9CD38365DEEAB19.tndm-mw-app-db?execution=e1s1#

 

[nclemmons]

Have you considered reeded glass? 

One example here but there are many more.

https://www.build.com/trimlite-2268138-8401gl/s1651896?uid=3912169&source=gg-gba-pla_3912169!c6541546319!a82276015127!dc!ng!adpos&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1rLTi4PS6AIVBI3ICh1C9AtiEAQYBSABEgJ3kPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[gunnyr]

Unfortunately the local building inspector is very particular. In this case an off the shelf door slab won't work, it needs to be a wonky size. I priced out custom sizes a while ago and they got crazy expensive...

I'm curious about the need for a wonky size?  I'd be very interested in the inspectors concerns.

I installed two such frosted glass pocket doors just two years ago, I don't think the Inspector made a comment on them at all. 
[attachimg=1]

 

[Koamolly]

You might check with local tinting shops to see what graphics they offer.  Can be just frosted tint.  You could probably drop off the glass or the door to their shop.

This is just to give you an idea.  They do good work though.
https://www.tnttinting.com/glass-graphics

 

[tjbnwi]

A couple of things----the glass needs to be tempered for 2 reasons---one it is a door, two it is a bathroom. I believe this is the inspectors concern.

I did these in 2005. Desinged the graphics, had a vinyl printer print/cut them. Only the outside has the graphic, the inside is a full frost. The powder room door is the room blasted in the glass. Open the door, look at the door, look at the room they're mirror reverse images of each other.

I used fine glass for the blasting media if I recall correctly.

Tom

 

[tjbnwi]

Forgot to mention try Onedayglass.

They have a satin etch for tempered, you may need to get a sample to make sure it is what you want.
https://www.onedayglass.com

Tom

 

[Cheese]

I'm confused with the apprehensions of the building inspector. His only concern should be if the door has this ANSI Z97.1 certification or something similar etched in the lower corner of the glass.

[attachimg=1]

Another alternative is the use of privacy films on the tempered glass panel. I've purchased from these folks before and I've been quite satisfied with the products they sell. They also provide free samples of the films they carry. The films arrive rolled up in a mailing tube and are in perfect condition.
https://www.decorativefilm.com/prod...MIo87F8e7T6AIVBavsCh0fSA5XEAAYAiAAEgIrrfD_BwE

 

[Lincoln]

Maybe the inspector is concerned about the integrity of the door, seeing as it's holding a glass panel, if it's cut down?

 

[nw60312]

Thanks for the suggestions! The inspector in the case is my spouse, she is often much tougher than the actual building inspector. Given the existing space we are going to do a modern barn door (I don't want to open up the load bearing wall to try to do a pocket door). The problem is by the time I try to buy something to cut and extend, the rail and style proportions end up not flowing well with the other doors.

We have been building the other doors as we go and been very happy with the result so far. I just haven't done any with light panels yet, so that is the new part. I think I have a pretty good idea on the changes from how I have done the other doors for a light panel, just questions on the material pros and cons.

Thanks!

 

[SilviaS7]

If you can't get the frosted glass in the look you want, you can always get clear glass and use a spray on frosting (which can be scraped off later if you change your mind) that comes in a spray can like spray paint, or get a vinyl frosted glass look and apply it to the glass.  This too can also be peeled off later.  There are a ton of designs in the vinyl so perhaps the wife can pick out something she likes?  Just some ideas.

 

[kevinculle]

When I did my kitchen cabinet build about 8 years ago I had a bank of wall cabinets that I wanted to do in a frosted glass.  After looking around I found Bendheim Cabinet Glass (bendheimcabinetglass.com) and was very satisfied with their product and service.  They have a wide range of options and will send you samples for a reasonable charge so you can see exactly what it looks like. 

 

[sancho57]

Personally if it was me (and it will be soon as I got one on my honny do list) I wouldnt worry about getting it inspected unless its a new build house or additionor being built for a client.

If yer building it for your own house Id make the door frame , take it to the local glass shop, tell them what you want what its going to be used for let them handle it.

 

[Lincoln]

Personally if it was me (and it will be soon as I got one on my honny do list) I wouldnt worry about getting it inspected unless its a new build house or additionor being built for a client.

If yer building it for your own house Id make the door frame , take it to the local glass shop, tell them what you want what its going to be used for let them handle it.

He was joking about the 'inspector', he was referring to his wife. Should have been made clearer, most replied thinking it was an actual inspection.

 

[tjbnwi]

No matter the "inspector", make sure you use tempered glass. As I mentioned above being a door, and bathroom both make tempered a code requirement. 

Tom

 

[Lincoln]

Tom, would laminated glass be up to code, in your area, or only tempered?

 

[tjbnwi]

Tom, would laminated glass be up to code, in your area, or only tempered?

Tempered only in the 2 states I currently work and the 4 other states I used to work in.

Two counties I’m aware of in Colorado (one of the 2 states I currently work in) requires tempered glass in any window/glass area within 3 feet of a door also. 

All of the above require a monogram/bug on any tempered glass. Without the bug, they’ll fail the glass.

Tom