Backlighting mesh-laminated glass for dramatic interior features

Looking for a dramatic interior design feature? Find out how backlit mesh-laminated glass can help you complete the look.



Interior design is all about contrast – the contrast of materials, colours and textures. So, it's no surprise that for centuries, if not longer, designers have been using glass and light to create dramatic interior features.

At the grander end of the scale is stained glass – those mighty multi-coloured tableaux that still shine in medieval cathedrals. At the subtler end is frosted glass. Often used to ensure privacy in bathrooms and other contexts, frosted glass diffuses natural and electric light through a fine gauze.

Today, the possibilities for dramatic interior features that harness glass and light are immense.

Perhaps the most talked-about product is smart glass. This type of glass can be switched from transparent to translucent to opaque and back again with a few clicks on a smartphone app.

But there's also mesh-laminated glass. This is a kind of laminated glass unit with a metallic mesh interlayer.

On its own, a mesh-laminated glass unit can create a strong impression in an interior. But when backlit with LEDs or other back lights, it can create a statement piece or conversation starter – or, at the very least, a dramatic effect.

This makes it popular in high-end settings such as hotels, boutique shops and restaurants. It shows a commitment to interior design and a sense of adventure. These are two things people look for, whether consciously or subconsciously, when checking out places at higher price points.

In this article, we look at the dramatic interior features you can create by backlighting mesh-laminated glass. We hope it inspires you in your next project.

What is mesh-laminated glass and how can it be backlit?

Mesh-laminated glass is a type of safety glass that sandwiches a woven mesh interlayer between two or more glass panes. This interlayer can be copper, bronze, aluminium or stainless steel, to take just four common options.

You can then illuminate this unit from behind or from the edges, whether using LED lights or another kind of electric light. This light can be coloured. Whatever source of light is used, the effect is the same: a glowing, textured light diffused through the mesh.

Backlit mesh-laminated glass combines the rugged look of metal with the softness of light. The backlighting (or, in some cases, LED edge lighting) adds depth and shimmer. The look could be dubbed "industrial impressionism", combining as it does the gritty and the gauzy.

Where can backlit mesh-laminated glass be used?

Backlit mesh-laminated glass can be used in a wide range of commercial and domestic settings. However, it tends to be associated with high-end hotels, premium office spaces and boutique retail locations. 

Restaurants, hotels and offices all use backlit mesh-laminated glass for interior dividers and partitions. These create privacy zones while letting the light flow through.

In similar settings, you might see backlit mesh-laminated wall cladding or feature walls. These create a luxurious shimmer that can enhance comfort. This kind of application is especially popular in waiting areas and lounges in restaurants, hotels and shops.

Backlit mesh-laminated glass is also used in restaurants and bars. You might see a feature wall behind the bar. This adds decorative flair to the space while also being easy to clean. The lack of maintenance required works wonders in a high-traffic environment where spills and stains are inevitable.

Other kinds of buildings use backlit mesh-laminated glass for balustrades on staircases and balcony railings. The laminated glass ensures high levels of safety, while the mesh and backlight provide high levels of sophistication.

Finally, backlit mesh-laminated glass is used for the interior cladding in lift cabins.

What are the benefits of backlighting mesh-laminated glass in interior design?

The biggest advantage of backlighting mesh-laminated glass in interior design is quite simply that it can look amazing.

Designers get to choose from a wide variety of weaves, colours and metals for the glass unit.

Combined with the endless possibilities of the light spectrum, this can create virtually any effect – bold or delicate, industrial or rustic, lofty or light-hearted.



This versatility is a godsend to an interior designer because it allows them to play with more variables.

From one point of view, interior design is all about juxtaposition. Mesh-laminated glass is a perfect example of how juxtaposition can create special effects and how these can interact in myriad ways with the surrounding elements in the design.

On top of this, mesh-laminated glass acts as a privacy screen. The mesh allows the backlights through while obscuring whatever's behind the glass unit. This combination of functionality and aesthetic interest opens up all sorts of possibilities.

Moreover, mesh-laminated glass harnesses all the advantages of the laminated glass it's made from.

It's up to six times stronger than standard glass and, when broken, is designed to retain its structural integrity by staying in the frame.

The mesh is sealed, meaning it doesn't gather dust, dirt or gunk. The unit can simply be wiped down with a soft detergent, water and a microfibre cloth.

And finally, laminated glass has appreciable sound-reducing properties. In a restaurant booth, say, or a hotel room, sound reduction is all part of the package. It means that you get some level of sound reduction built into a feature rather than added at additional expense.

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass is a type of safety glass used in places where extra durability is needed.

It consists of two or more sheets of standard glass with an interlayer sandwiched between. This interlayer comes into its own in the unlikely event that the super-tough outer pane is damaged.

Rather than shattering like standard glass, laminated glass is designed to stay in its frame. This protects building users from falling glass and gives fixers more time to get to work.

Are you looking for high-quality mesh-laminated glass for an interior design project – or another kind of decorative glass? At ToughGlaze, we can cut and process glass to match your exact specification. Get in touch today to discuss your needs or request a quick, competitive quote.