Glass Types &
Specifications

Clear Tempered Glass

The foundation of every frameless shower and glass railing we build. Clear tempered glass delivers the highest impact resistance in its class, mandatory by Ontario Building Code for all frameless shower enclosures and guardrail panels above a certain height.

Available Thicknesses

8mm, 10mm, 12mm

Visible Light Transmission

~89–90%

Edge Colour (face)

Slight green tint (iron content ~0.09%)

Surface Treatment

Heat-tempered (EN 12150 / ASTM C1048)

OBC Compliance

Meets Part 9 guardrail requirements at 12mm

Typical Application

Frameless showers, interior railings, mirrors

Minimum Order Thickness (shower)

10mm (BBG standard); 8mm for mirrors only

Shower Start Price

From $850 installed

Starfire Ultra-Clear
Low-Iron Glass

Starfire is Guardian Industries' low-iron float glass, produced by reducing the iron oxide content in the batch mix to less than 0.01% by weight. The result is a glass that reads optically neutral — no green edge, no tint — across all thicknesses.

Iron Content

<0.01% Fe₂O₃ by weight

Visible Light Transmission

91.5%+ (vs. ~89% standard clear)

Edge Colour

Water-white — no green tint

Reflectance (exterior)

~8% (vs. ~10% standard clear)

Available Thicknesses

10mm, 12mm

Surface Treatment

Heat-tempered post-fabrication

Best Pairing

White marble, Calacatta tile, pale stone

Price Premium

+15–20% over standard clear tempered

Architectural Tints

Tinted tempered glass introduces colour at the float glass stage, where metal oxides are added to the batch to produce consistent colour throughout the thickness of the panel. Built By Glass supplies three tempered tint options: Smoked Grey, Bronze, and Blue-Green.

Swatch colours are representational only. Request a physical sample during your free measure appointment.

Specialty Textures

Textured glass ranges from machine-pressed patterns — applied at the float stage — to hand-finished sandblasted surfaces. Each achieves visual privacy while maintaining the structural integrity of heat-tempered glass.

Fluted / Reeded

Vertical parallel channels pressed into one face of the glass during forming. The ribbed profile refracts light, producing shifting caustic patterns that animate throughout the day. Fluted glass obscures direct line-of-sight while transmitting significant light — VLT 70–80% depending on pitch. It is heat-tempered after patterning and available in 10mm only through BBG's standard supply chain.

Etched

Acid-etched glass is finished after tempering by exposing one surface to hydrofluoric acid vapour, producing a uniform satin matte texture. The surface is smooth to the touch and highly resistant to water spotting in humid environments. VLT ~85%. Custom etch patterns (logos, bands, geometric motifs) are available by special order.

Sandblasted

Sandblasting propels abrasive media at high velocity across the glass surface, creating a fine-grained matte texture with a softer, more diffused appearance than acid etching. Sandblasted panels are produced on tempered glass and cannot be re-tempered. See the care guide below for maintenance requirements specific to sandblasted surfaces.

Fluted — Thickness

10mm standard

Fluted — VLT

70–80%

Fluted — Privacy

High (obscures direct sightlines)

Etched — Thickness

8mm, 10mm, 12mm

Etched — VLT

~85%

Etched — Texture

Satin matte, smooth to touch

Sandblasted — Thickness

10mm, 12mm

Sandblasted — VLT

60–75% (depth-dependent)

Sandblasted — Texture

Fine-grained matte; slightly porous

Custom Patterns

Available by special order — allow 3–4 weeks additional lead time

Clear & Tinted Glass
Care Guide

Standard clear, Starfire low-iron, and tinted tempered panels share the same non-porous surface chemistry. Routine maintenance is straightforward.

• Daily rinse: After each shower, run cold water across all glass surfaces for 30 seconds to dilute soap and mineral deposits before they set.
• Weekly clean: Use a squeegee after rinsing, then wipe with a clean microfibre cloth. A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water removes hard-water film without residue.
• Approved cleaners: Any pH-neutral, ammonia-free glass cleaner. Windex (original blue) is acceptable in moderation.
• Avoid: Steel wool, abrasive pads, or powdered cleaners — these permanently scratch the surface.
• ClearShield coating (if applied): Wash with the supplied pH-neutral maintenance cleaner only. Do not use vinegar or acidic cleaners on coated panels — they degrade the oleophobic layer.
• Annual treatment: Apply a hydrophobic water-repellent glass treatment (Rain-X, Aquapel, or equivalent) to all exposed faces to maintain water-sheet behaviour and reduce spotting.
• Hardware: Wipe chrome and brushed finishes with a damp cloth only. Avoid chlorine-based cleaners on all hardware finishes.

Sandblasted Glass
Care Protocol

Sandblasted surfaces are porous at a microscopic level. This makes them susceptible to staining from oils, soaps, and hard-water minerals that would simply run off a polished surface. The following protocol is mandatory to maintain appearance and avoid irreversible staining.

• No abrasive cleaners: Never use scouring powders, steel wool, abrasive sponges, or cream cleansers. The blast texture is delicate and will be permanently damaged by abrasion.
• No ammonia-based cleaners: Products containing ammonia (including many multi-surface sprays and standard glass cleaners) strip the protective oil layer from the surface and accelerate staining. Use only ammonia-free formulas.
• Approved daily cleaner: A few drops of mild dish soap (Dawn, Seventh Generation, or equivalent) in warm water applied with a soft microfibre cloth. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow to air dry.
• Hard water deposits: Apply a paste of baking soda and water with a soft cloth, working gently in circular motions. Rinse immediately and thoroughly. Do not leave baking soda paste to dry on the surface.
• No pressure washing: The force of a pressure washer will dislodge the surface particles of a sandblasted texture, permanently altering its appearance.
• Sealing (strongly recommended): Apply a penetrating stone and glass sealer (Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold or equivalent) to sandblasted surfaces immediately after installation and repeat annually. The sealer fills micro-pores and dramatically reduces stain absorption.
• Annual water-repellent treatment: After sealing, apply a hydrophobic water-repellent treatment to the blasted face. This is in addition to — not a substitute for — the penetrating sealer.
• Organic stains (soap scum, body oils): Address immediately with mild dish soap and warm water. Stains that are allowed to set in the porous surface may require professional re-blasting to remove completely.