Jim Lowther, sales director at Xtralite, discusses design and performance considerations for specifying fritted glass

In association with

Buildings.

Fritted glass is a term that is used across the construction industry, yet its full potential is sometimes left open to interpretation. It is commonly applied when specifying walk-on glazing, as the fritting process provides a non-slip surface that is ideal for walkways, roofs that require regular access, and areas where the glass has been incorporated into a striking architectural design. What is less understood is that fritted glass can be made to exact specifications incorporating brand identity and specific patterns.

Fritted glass and walk-on glazing
At Xtralite we manufacture and supply fritted glass for walk-on glazing applications. It makes what would have been an incredibly slippery surface into one that is safe to walk on, easy to clean and looks good. The key element to fritted glass is the frit: the opaque substance that makes walk-on glazing safe. Fritting can also be used to create lines and complex patterns depending on the use of the glass, its location within the design, and whether it is to be used internally or externally.

By specifying fritted glass in any context, some loss of clarity is of course experienced, but where glass floors or walkways are present it’s the ideal solution for providing to the most robust anti-slip surface. In other contexts, the loss of clarity is the sole purpose for specifying fritted glass, as it provides energy-saving benefits.

So why fritted glass?
Glass fritting for anti-slip purposes is achieved by the adhesion of a ceramic component (frit) to the glass to create the required pattern. It provides a solution to very real health and safety risks, and while there are no formal legal requirements, safety is clearly paramount when specifying glazing in a project that will have foot traffic.

The anti-slip values of glass are categorised by the HSE, and fritted glass generally achieves a good PTV (Pendulum Test Value) of 60. 0–24 PTV is high slip risk, 25-35 is moderate slip risk, and 36+ is low slip risk. The tests to ascertain PTVs are carried out in wet and dry conditions with the lowest figure recorded in the wet.

For any architect that is looking for detailed design and safety in both corporate and domestic situations, fritted glass has the ability to create a juxtaposition of style and substance. The key to successful specification and the ongoing use of fritted glass is to understand the requirements and demands from the start. It is at this stage that the pattern can be agreed to ensure the maximum PTV figure is achieved.

Fritted glass and the wow factor
This type of glazing can also create an architectural wow factor. As the boundaries of building design continue to be challenged there is an ever-increasing number of ways that fitted glass can be utilised. Glass continues to be a highly sought after material for twenty-first century architects, and the process of fritting is not only visually pleasing, it also provides practical solutions, such as heat control and slip-resistance. Fritted glass – when employed in buildings where glass is the dominant construction material – can also provide greater privacy. It can even be used to protect birds from flying into glass-sided buildings. Fritting highlights the diversity and complexities that glass can achieve, and we are proud to work in such a fast-paced, creative industry.

Contact Details
To find out more about how fritted glass can benefit your next project aesthetically and practically, contact our experts here.