Rolled plate glass was first produced by James Hartley (UK) in 1847, and later by the Chance Brothers (UK) who manufactured "cathedral" and figured rolled between twin rollers in 1870.

Manufacturing Surface Patterned Glass

Patterned glass is manufactured by squeezing semi-molten glass between two rollers, one of which has a surface pattern and creates a continuous, permanent impression onto the "soft" glass ribbon. The pattern is imprinted onto one surface only, while the other side remains relatively smooth. The glass then travels through the annealing lehr where it is cooled before being cut to the stock sheet size for warehousing and distribution. The processes after the pattern is imprinted are the same as used for the manufacturing of Float Glass

Patterned glass usually transmits only slightly less light than clear glass. The more diffusing the glass, the more the directional properties of light transmitted by the glass will be diminished, and the more likely it might become a glare source, when its whole surface may appear bright.

Surface Treatments

Sand blasting and acid etching are examples of surface treatments. They produce uniform, relatively matt appearances and surface reflection properties that approach those of a perfect diffuser. The appearance of a surface treated glass is influenced by the relative level of illuminance on either side of the glass. Whilst this appearance is mainly for decoration, such materials can also be graded for their obscuration

Patterned glass usually transmits only slightly less light than clear glass. The more diffusing the glass, the more the directional properties of light transmitted by the glass will be diminished, and the more likely it might become a glare source, when its whole surface may appear bright.

Surface Printing

Surface printing can be typically by screen printed dots, lines or meshes. These can contain fine detail which, when viewed from a distance, produces a light veiling effect, like a net curtain. This veiling effect still allows the view to be perceived.