Anti-Reflective Glass – The Supreme FAQ Guide

Many people yearn to utilize anti-reflective glass as a substitute for regular glass. But, is it really something you need? Or would regular glass cut it?

In this guide today, we will not only teach you about anti-reflective glass. Furthermore, we’ll also help you with a couple of tips on how to find the best anti-reflective or AR glass suppliers.

By the end of this guide, you will be an expert when it comes to anti-reflective glass to the extent that you’ll know each turn and twist about it! As a bonus, you’ll also have the knowledge of where to get the best and the highest quality AR glass in the market!

Understanding the Basics of Anti-Reflective Glass

In the simplest and the most basic definition, anti-reflective glass is one type of specialized glass.

Image of what an anti-reflective glass looks like

“Specialized” in the sense that there are a couple of procedures done that differentiates it from other types of glass.

Also known as AR glass, during production, it’s treated so that the surface reflection is decreased and reduced.

The idea behind anti-reflective glass is that they’re coated in either side – sometimes two (2) sides – so that light transmissions are increased while reflections are reduced or even better, eliminated.

Anti-Reflective Glass vs. Anti-Glare Glass vs. Regular Glass

A lot of people get confused whenever they’re asked to differentiate anti-glare (AG) glass from anti-reflective or AR glass.

A perfect example of how glass can be coated with chemicals

Putting everything into perspective, here are the different points of difference of AR glass, AG glass, and regular glass.

                         Anti-Reflective Glass vs Anti-Glare Glass

Environment Where They’re Used

While AR glass and AG glass are used side-by-side, they’re not actually “the same.”

Using AG Glass

You usually use AG or anti-glare glass in strong and harsh environments. Because of its capability of deflecting glare, you’ll find the best uses of it in situations such as:

• Outdoor Use
• Military Use
• Hospital and Medical Use
• Chemical Use

In addition to that, you can also use it in environments that require touching, such as television, touch screens, projectors, industrial LCDs, and many more.

The anti-reflective glass used for advertising display screen

Using AR Glass

On the other hand, you would usually choose to use  AR glass for applications where it requires the quality of design.

Since its main purpose is to “deflect” reflection, it also carries the mission of making sure the display or the content is shown clearly.

Some of the most typical applications you can have with anti-reflective glass include, but are not limited to:

• Digital Cameras
• Sensors and Optical Imaging
• Medical Instruments
• Computers and Technology
• Museums
• And Others!

Using Regular Glass

Since regular glass does not have any type of special coating or finishing, you can choose to use it for drinking glasses, plates, packaging, housing and buildings, and so on.

Principles

AG or anti-glare glass is created by chemically etching one (1) or both (2) sides of the glass. This rough and inconsistent treatment transforms the reflective surface into something that’s not reflective.

Anti-reflective or AR glass, on the other hand, is created via coating procedures. Unlike the roughening of the edges, the “anti-reflective” capability on glass would be invisible, so, you wouldn’t really know it unless you try and experience it.

Regular glass, on the other hand, would be subject to reflection, glare, moisture, and so on. This is the reason why you use them in applications where you wouldn’t need them to be special, such as windows, doors, drinking glasses, etc.

Those are the differences between the three, now, you’ll easily be able to distinguish which is which!

What is Non-Glare Glass?

Image of what a non-glare glass is – it has roughened coating and texture

Non-glare glass, another term for anti-glare (AG) glass, is the type of glass you want to get if you want bright light glares diffused and evenly distributed when it touches the surface of your glass.

Going back, the main purpose of AG or non-glare glass is to disperse reflected light.

What this does is it gives you the chance to focus on the display better even if the light is so bright.

How Do You Recognize Anti-Reflective Glass?

In comparison to anti-glare glass, AR glass or anti-reflective glass would be difficult, harder, and more challenging to recognize.

Image of a glass that does not have an anti-reflective glass coating

Why? – Because the glass’s anti-reflective coating will practically be invisible to the naked eye; it’s going to be transparent.

However, you can still find and figure out if a glass has an anti-reflective coating, and that’s by holding it up on bright light.

Here’s a simple step-by-step procedure on recognizing whether or not a particular glass contains AR coating:

1. Hold your glass and tilt them to where the glare is
2. If it contains anti-reflective light, you’ll see a bit of glare in the greenish-to-pinkish hue
3. On the other hand, if it doesn’t have a coating, the color of the glare would be that of the light it’s reflecting

That is the procedure on how you could recognize or distinguish if a glass has anti-reflective properties.

What is Non-Reflective Glass Used For?

You can use anti-reflective glasses in applications that involve scattered and focused light.

You can use non-reflective in a lot of industries and sectors

To give you a concrete example, imagine museums. In a museum, a sculpture would be enclosed in a glass box, but with lights all around it.

Did you ever notice how this light doesn’t reflect on the mirrors or the glasses? That’s because of anti-reflective glass.

In addition to that, here are some of the other customary applications of anti-reflective glass:

• Lighting and Architecture
• LCD Displays
• Film LCD Panels
• Display Cases
• Sight Glasses and Storefronts
• Electronic Displays
• LED Lighting Optics
• And Many More!

How Do You Make Glass Anti-Reflective?

Glass is made anti-reflective by applying optical coating, as well as other elements to one (1) or two (2) surfaces of the lenses.

This is what makes it “anti-reflective;” it reduces reflection and it improves and develops efficiency.

How Do You Clean Anti-Reflective Glass?

Cleaning and maintaining anti-reflective glass is something you need to learn.

It’s not every day that you’ll be able to see a guide like this, and therefore, learning it proactively can and will save you time, money, and efforts.

Here’s the quickest and the best way to clean an anti-reflective glass:

1. Wash your hands and make sure there’s no “oil.”
2. Use glass cleaner. You can use another type of cleaning agent that’s applicable to glass.
3. Drop a pea-sized amount on the glass – you can do it even smaller.
4. Then, clean the soap off of the surface of the glass.
5. It’s important to note that a microfiber cloth is the only type of material you can use. Using other materials such as cotton can damage the surface.
6. Finalize it by rinsing and by wiping it off completely.

What Features and Benefits Do Anti-Reflective Glasses Have in General?

There are tons of features and benefits of using anti-reflective glass.

Anti-reflective glass being prepared for usage

In fact, here are some of the most notable ones:

• UV Protection – Protection of people and items from UV light that’s harmful
• High Levels of Transmission – It’s the feature that enables you to decrease unwanted reflections and ghost images
• Contrast Enhancement – Provides clear displays and graphics
• Chemically Strengthened – It’s stronger, tougher, and more durable than regular glass

These are some of the usual features and benefits that anti-reflective glass has. Different manufacturers have different offers with their AR glasses.

Can You Color Anti-Reflective Glass?

Unfortunately, no, you wouldn’t be able to color anti-reflective glass.

This is because the coating that you’ll be using for the AR glass needs to be transparent. Even if it’s transparent, the anti-reflective coating will give off a greenish hue.

In some cases, however, the hue is yellow-green, to a bluish hue; but definitely not what the glare or the light is.

Does Anti-Reflective Glass Coating Wear Off?

Yes, non-reflective glass coatings wear off at about an average of two (2) years.

Image of anti-reflective coating peeling off

As a matter of fact, all types and kinds of surface enhancements last this long.

However, if you care for them properly and more appropriately, it can last longer than two (2) years.

You’ll see it being worn out when you notice its exterior flaking off.

What are the Safety Benefits of AR Glass?

Apart from the regular benefits that anti-reflective glass gives you, you can also find a ton of safety benefits in using it.

In summary, if you’re considering using anti-reflective glass, you should. The coating that it has does not only affect reflection, it can also help you withstand temperature.

Furthermore, you can also use it in outdoor/commercial applications such as zoos, museums, exhibits, and the like. Thanks to the high light transmission that it has in combination with decreased levels of reflection, you’ll never have issues and problems with the display and reflections!

Are There Disadvantages of Anti-Reflective Glass Coating?

If you thought that using anti-reflective glass is all rainbows and butterflies, think again!

There are a couple of cons and disadvantages in using anti-reflective glass, they include, but are not limited to:

• The protective layer or coating can get peeled off when they’re not properly cared for
• You will only be able to clean your lenses using microfiber cloths; other types of cloth can damage the surface, especially when it’s dry
• Anti-reflective glasses pick up dirt and fingerprints when they’re handled inappropriately
• AR coating isn’t recommended to be used for the production of reading glasses

These are some of the major drawbacks that anti-reflective glasses have. While they seem to be a big deal, the pros dominantly outweigh the cons – so, you don’t have to worry about it!

Common Applications of Anti-Reflective Glass

Now that we know anti-reflective coating isn’t the best when it comes to reading glasses, there are actually a few other applications wherein you can use anti-reflective glasses.

You’ll be able to use non-reflective glass in a ton of applications!

To clarify even further, these applications are:

• Display screens like monitors, projectors, display panels, LCDs, etc.
• Cases and other display enclosures
• Thin-film coatings

You can make use of the anti-reflective coating in a ton of industries such as the medical and biomedical industries, automotive and aerospace industries, military and defense industries, electronics and display, telecommunications, and many more!

Where Can You Order Anti-Reflective Glass?

The market is filled with numerous anti-reflective glass manufacturers.

In fact, doing a quick and simple Google search will open doors for you! You’ll be able to find anti-reflective glass manufacturers and suppliers in various regions of the globe – you’ll be able to see manufacturers in Asia, Europe, even North and South America!

Should you be concerned about supply shortage, do not! There will never be a shortage of supplies of anti-reflective glass in the world because the manufacturing process isn’t that difficult.

So, how are they manufactured?

How is Anti-Reflective Glass Made?

The idea of how an anti-reflective glass is made is simple.

Image of properly-installed anti-reflective glass buildings

As a matter of fact, we can condense it into a few steps, and they include:

Step 1: The Mixing and the Creation of the Glass

The very first step of the process is to create the glass. This requires sand, as well as other substances melted on a special type of furnace or a kiln.

Once they’re molten, they’re poured onto a trough that hangs the piece of molten material mid-air, and it’s cooled.

Sometimes, the material is melted and cooled down several times.

Step 2: Hardening of Glass

After the glass has been formed, it’ll then go onto the hardening process where it’s placed to a temperature of around 650 to 700 degrees Celsius.

It transforms into its molten form, then it rapidly cools down. This is the procedure that creates the effect of the glass being compressed.

Step 3: Finishing

By this stage, the glass has already been formed and hardened. Then, the last of the steps is to coat the exterior of the glass.

The coating will be the thing that’ll turn regular glass into an anti-reflective glass.

That’s just about it! That is the procedure on how you create or manufacture anti-reflective glass!

NOTE: That procedure is a general structure on how it’s made. Some manufacturers might perform it a bit different than the others, so don’t confuse yourself.

Can You Order Custom-Shaped AR Glass?

Yes, the market is filled with many different types and kinds of anti-reflective glass. If you search in the right channels, you will be able to find a lot of pre-made AR glasses, as well as manufacturers that offer anti-reflective glasses in bulk or in wholesale.

Therefore, ordering custom-shaped anti-reflective glass follows the same process as to how you would order a pre-made glass.

Where Can You Purchase Anti-Reflective Glass Wholesale?

Quite frankly, there’s no other category where you can purchase high-quality anti-reflective glass than from Chinese anti-reflective glass manufacturing companies.

For years, China has been dominating the supplies industry, from A to Z. Whether you need regular household items, to commercial and business items, Chinese manufactures will be able to provide them.

In your search of finding the best and the most effective anti-reflective glass wholesalers, going with a Chinese AR glass manufacturer will be your best bet.

Are Chinese Anti-Reflective Glass Manufacturers Trustworthy?

Contrary to popular belief, Chinese anti-reflective glass manufacturers wouldn’t actually rip you off. The myth that all products and services from China is bad is far from what the truth is – in fact, it’s the other way around!

If you take your chances of working with a Chinese anti-reflective glass manufacturer, you can expect:

High Profitability

Given the fact that almost ALL products in China is cheap, you can expect a higher profitability rate for your business.

Let us imagine this… You’re purchasing anti-reflective glass from a United States manufacturer. You check and it will cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 for a few hundred kilograms, and you think to yourself that this is already a good deal.

So, you check for the same type of product in China – and you’re surprised because the most expensive that you can get it for just sits at $900.

Take note, the quality, the amount, and the packaging are all the same.

Better Quality

Back in 2019, there are more than 2 million factories and manufacturing corporations in China. Therefore, their current economical condition is that the supply is absolutely outweighing the demand.

This means, the only way a Chinese supplier can compete is by giving the best quality they can give.

When it comes to anti-reflective glass, you’ll never have to worry or think about quality – it’ll all be given!

Better and Lower Costs

We get that products and services from China are cheap, inexpensive, and highly considerate.

This, actually, is because of quite a few reasons, and they include:

• Materials and ingredients for production are cheaper
• Chinese businesses are considered to be the most skillful, but they have a surplus in the workforce
• Chinese manufacturers have better access to logistics
• The widespread availability of utilities
• And many more!

Those are just three (3) of the many reasons why choosing a Chinese anti-reflective glass manufacturer is a smaller risk compared to choosing an American or a European supplier.

Why is SXET Glass the Best Anti-Reflective Glass Manufacturer in China?

And, out of all the anti-reflective glass manufacturing companies in China, no other supplier is trusted and is relied on but us at SXET.

We are a company that has been established back in the year 2009, and we started out in the industry as a tempered glass manufacturer.

As years went on, we decide to take our services up a notch and include a couple of other products and offers to our capability. From regular glass panels, we went on and offered Gorilla Glass, Stepped Glass, Anti-Glare Glass, Anti-Reflective Glass, and many more!

Thanks to the perseverance and the unrelenting coordination of our staff members, professionals, and our experts, we were easily crowned as the best glass manufacturer in the country!

Why Work With SXET Glass?

SXET is just one of the thousands of anti-reflective glass manufacturers in China.

Here are a few of the reasons why organizations and consumers choose to work with us:

• We can provide custom anti-reflective glass products in varying shapes, types, and dimensions
• All our processes and methodologies are advanced and accurate – we use CNC machines
• We can produce beveled edges, 2D, 3D, and other types of finishes
• If you already have the glass, you can also approach us for other services, too such as printing, drilling, edge grinding, shape and form cutting, and many more!
• Our company possesses an SGS certification, which just proves the effectiveness and the efficiency of our products and our work

Minimum Order Quantity (MoQ) of SXET Glass

Unlike other anti-reflective glass manufacturers, the minimum order quantity or the MoQ of SXET with anti-reflective glass is only at 50 pieces.

We would never force you to purchase from us, and we’ll never pin you down just to do business with us.

If you think you’ll be better off with another manufacturer, we won’t mind! Our doors are always open if you thought wrong.

So, the next time you find yourself in need of an anti-reflective glass manufacturing company, never hesitate to give us, here at SXET a call.

Being China’s number one anti-reflective glass manufacturer, you will never be disappointed by all our products and our services. Never will you be able to find another anti-reflective glass as adept and as skilled as us!

The only thing you have to do is to give us a call or an email and we will be right with you! In fact, we can even get you a free quotation or a free estimate of the products and the services you need!