Etched Glass vs Plastic Film: What’s the Better Choice?

At Knowsley Art Glass, our etched glass is created by permanently abrading the design directly into the surface of the glass.
This traditional method allows the glass to transmit light beautifully, brightening even the darkest rooms while remaining completely UV stable.

In contrast, imitation plastic film can dull the light, is prone to air bubbles and dirt during application, and is not UV stable, meaning it can discolour, peel and degrade within a few years.

Our etched glass panels regularly last 20–30 years, far outperforming the typical 5–6 year lifespan of plastic film.

Along with being more durable and visually superior, real etched glass can add value to your property, while plastic film may do the opposite.

For over four decades we have studied original Victorian artwork and techniques to reproduce authentic designs using skills passed down through generations.
These traditional methods, combined with our own exclusive processes, ensure the etched glass we manufacture is unmatched in clarity, quality and longevity.

A close-up video of our P22 design on 4mm glass can be in the video.