5 Types of Glass Manifestation Designs

It’s time to dive deep into the world of glass manifestation. But what is it? Glass manifestation is an adhesive frosted film sticker applied to glass partitions, doors, or panels after installation. They serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, offering safety and design benefits. 

These films ensure that transparent glass surfaces are visible to prevent accidents, while also enhancing the overall look of a space. As part of our service, we specialise in professionally applying glass manifestations at the end of the fitting to make sure that you meet your safety needs and design preferences.

When are Glass Manifestation Designs Necessary?

Manifestation on glass is essential for both safety and legal compliance in many commercial and public spaces. Their primary function is to prevent people from accidentally walking into large glass panes, which can lead to serious injury. This is why they can be a legal requirement, whether you need them will depend on your glazed system and building requirements. Manifestations are generally required for the following reasons:

• Glass partitions with more than 400mm in width between frames
• Frameless glass doors
• Any commercial glass partitioning installation where the glass is not easily identifiable (a health and safety risk)

Glass manifestation regulations require stickers to be positioned between 850mm to 1000mm and 1400mm to 1600mm from the floor. They are required in non-domestic areas with high foot traffic, such as shops, showrooms, restaurants, offices, factories, and public buildings, this is to ensure visibility and prevent accidents. This applies to both internal and external walls or doors.

For more detailed information, visit our blog on when glass manifestations are needed.

Enhancing Privacy with Glass Manifestations

Beyond safety, manifestation on glass can also be used to create privacy in open-plan spaces. In offices, glass partitions help maintain an airy, light-filled environment while still providing separation between areas. However, in settings like meeting rooms or private offices, more extensive frosted manifestations can be applied in blocks to increase privacy while still allowing natural light to flow through. 

Design Opportunities with Glass Manifestations

Glass manifestations are not just functional — they can also transform a space visually. They present an excellent opportunity to incorporate branding elements like logos, company colours, or custom designs. Whether you’re looking to add a simple logo or a more creative design, manifestations can be tailored to suit your look and feel. Our team is experienced in creating bespoke designs too which can help reinforce your brand’s identity.

From enhancing safety and privacy to boosting aesthetic appeal, manifestation on glass offers versatile solutions for various spaces. Whatever your requirements, we’re here to help you create a custom manifestation that aligns with your design vision and business needs. 

Types of Glass Partition Manifestation

Glass partition manifestation comes in a variety of styles and designs, each tailored to meet specific safety, privacy, or design requirements. Below, we outline some of the most common types of glass manifestation designs:

1. DDA Dots

DDA Dots are specifically designed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), ensuring that glass partitions are easily visible to all individuals.

These pre-spaced, self-adhesive dots are 50mm in diameter and are applied within two critical height zones: between 850mm and 1000mm from the floor, and from 1400mm to 1600mm. This height placement ensures the manifestations are clearly visible to seated and standing individuals and are effective under both natural and artificial lighting conditions. DDA Dots are essential for safety in high-traffic areas with large glass panels, such as offices, shops, and public spaces, helping to prevent accidental collisions.

2. DDA Squares

Similar to DDA Dots, DDA Squares are another type of safety manifestation, but with a square format rather than circular. These self-adhesive squares are also 50mm in size and are spaced 100mm apart to provide consistent, visible markings. Like DDA Dots, DDA Squares must be applied within the same height zones to comply with safety regulations. The choice between dots or squares often comes down to personal preference or aesthetic considerations.

3. Frosted Band

A frosted band is a popular manifestation option for those seeking both safety and privacy without sacrificing natural light. This type of manifestation uses an opaque film applied in a horizontal band across the middle section of a glass partition. 

Frosted bands are typically installed in offices or meeting rooms where some visual privacy is desired. While it restricts direct vision into the space, it still allows light to pass through, maintaining the open feel of the room. Frosted bands are not only functional but can also be customised to create striking visual designs. Check out this case study for a frosted band example.

4. Full Frosting

For spaces where complete privacy is necessary full frosting is an excellent solution. This manifestation covers the entire glass pane with frosted film, blocking all visibility into the room while still allowing natural light to filter through. A frosted glass partition wall is often used in areas such as private offices, conference rooms, or even healthcare settings, where confidentiality is a priority. The elegant and subtle finish of full frosting ensures a professional look while providing a functional solution for private spaces. An example of this can be seen in this glass partitioning project.

5. Bespoke Glass Graphic

For businesses looking to incorporate branding or unique design elements into their glass manifestations, bespoke glass graphics offer the perfect solution. These custom designs can include anything from company logos and icons to phrases or intricate patterns, which all help create a more personalised space. Whether you’re looking for a sleek, professional look or a bold, eye-catching design, we can help you create a completely tailored solution. See how we achieved this in a recent bespoke glass installation for a South London office.

How to Choose the Right Type of Glass Manifestation

Choosing the right glass manifestation for your space requires careful consideration, including legal regulations, design preferences, and performance needs. Below are key points to help you determine the most suitable manifestation for your glass partition installation:

• Compliance with Safety Standards: Check if your installation falls under any legal regulations. For example, in non-domestic buildings, glass partitions and doors will need to have manifestations between 850mm to 1000mm and 1400mm to 1600mm from the floor to ensure visibility.
• DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) Compliance: If your space requires accessibility measures, opt for DDA-compliant manifestations like DDA dots or squares. These manifestations ensure that the glass is visible to all individuals.
• Critical Locations: Assess whether your glass partition is installed in high-traffic areas or spaces where people can walk into large glass panes. Manifestations are necessary for frameless glass doors and glass panels over 400mm in width between frames, especially if the glass is clear and hard to detect.
• Branding Opportunities: Consider whether you want to incorporate logos, company colours, or custom graphics into your manifestation design. Bespoke manifestations can enhance your brand’s visibility and create a unique identity for your space.
• Privacy Needs: If privacy is a concern, choose manifestations like frosted bands or full frosting to restrict visibility while maintaining natural light. This is ideal for meeting rooms, offices, or private workspaces.

Remember, during the consultation stage, our glass technicians will discuss all glass manifestation requirements for your project, including any regulations, as well as any bespoke design requests you may have.

Best Practices for Glass Manifestation Maintenance

Proper maintenance of your glass manifestation designs is essential to keep them looking professional and ensure their durability over time. When it comes to cleaners avoid using harsh, abrasive cleaners that can damage the surface of the manifestation or scratch the glass. Opt for mild, non-abrasive glass cleaners specifically formulated for use on frosted or adhesive films. Couple this with soft cloths, sponges, or microfibre towels when cleaning the glass and manifestation to avoid scratching or peeling the film. Never use scrub pads, or hard brushes.

Get In Touch

Each type of glass partition manifestation serves a unique purpose, whether you need to comply with legal regulations, enhance privacy, or showcase your brand, we are here to provide the perfect solution for your needs.

Our experienced team have plenty of knowledge so make sure you get in touch to discuss your design requirements with us!