| There are places so hot in Texas that hell leases | | | | wall, turning the space into a magical world. |
| space. Winds can roar and dust can fly everywhere. In | | | | Many restaurants use etched glass between booths |
| Texas insulation is required for homes and offices built | | | | with a lit rail. The light spreads across the etching and |
| under the relentless sun. Looking around at the hills and | | | | creates light and privacy in an elegant manner. For |
| rocks, it becomes apparent that the winds have | | | | ground floor offices on busy streets half frosted |
| whipped up the sand and sent it into the cliffs, cutting | | | | panes can be used. These offer privacy when seated |
| away shapes in the age old process of erosion. | | | | at a desk and views of the sky or when standing up. |
| Texas sandblasting has shaped the landscape in a | | | | Etched glass can be used for bath windows, shower |
| million ways. Blasting sand on glass is a way to modify | | | | stalls and bedroom windows. |
| windows and reduce the greenhouse effect of glass. | | | | Artists have also found the medium of etching glass to |
| Etching of glass with fine sand or other particles such | | | | be a vibrant art form. With the proper tools blasting |
| as walnut shells or slag creates a smoky semi opaque | | | | glass can create intricate designs and elaborate forms. |
| quality. When light bounces off etched glass a frosty | | | | Many artists enjoy the texture and liveliness of the |
| white translucent image can be seen on the other side. | | | | images. Beautiful bodies can seem to glow and float in |
| The light coming through becomes diffused light, light | | | | the air. With colored lights the frosted etching can be |
| that spreads in many directions. This softens the light | | | | painted with colors. Flowers etched in glass have a |
| and turns stark rays of sun into gentle illumination. It | | | | special appeal when combined with well directed |
| also reflects a percentage of the sunlight to reduce | | | | colored lights that can bring the bloom to life. |
| the heat transfer bringing down energy costs. While | | | | Wind and sand have long been the nemesis of |
| this may not dramatically reduce energy cost by itself, | | | | buildings, cars, and landscapes. Erosion has shaped |
| it offers another tool with elegant and artistic | | | | canyons and cliffs in spectacular ways for all of time. |
| possibilities. | | | | Watching the light dance of the Grand Canyon, or |
| Architects use etched glass to great effect when | | | | seeing the shapes in Monument Valley is an easy way |
| creating well lit spaces that require privacy. Fully | | | | to understand the beauty that comes from erosive |
| frosted panes of glass can be used in interior spaces | | | | force of wind and sand. Turning some of the tools of |
| creating walls that offer privacy while offering a | | | | erosion, wind and sand, into tools for art has created |
| dramatic effect that can increase the feel of | | | | some spectacular works. Glass etching has been used |
| spaciousness in a room. Combing frosted panes with | | | | to create energy efficiency, privacy and art. |
| lighting effects can produce a room with a glowing | | | | |