Choosing the right white back-painted or enamelled glass
White back-painted or enamelled glass comes in several RAL shades
White is synonymous with light and brightness. Stylish and timeless, it suits every interior: it makes small spaces feel bigger and highlights large volumes. Depending on the materials and colours around it, it can look classic or resolutely modern.
But there is no such thing as a single white: brilliant white, off-white, cream white or grey white, each shade in the RAL chart gives a different result. And on glass, the result also depends on the base glass, clear or low-iron. This guide will help you choose the right shade for your white back-painted glass splashback, wall cladding or furniture.
Cool whites and warm whites
Whites fall into two families. Cool whites, with a slight blue tinge, give a crisp, bright, very contemporary look: they go by names such as crystal white, pure white or ice white. Warm whites, slightly yellow or pink, are softer and go well with wood, stone and natural settings.
- For a cool white, choose RAL 9003 (signal white) on low-iron glass: it is the most popular white for splashbacks, particularly in 6 mm. RAL 9016 (traffic white) is also a cool white, slightly less common.
- For a warmer white, RAL 9010, sold as "pure white", is in fact a slightly creamy white.
- For a white that is no longer quite white: RAL 9001 (cream) and RAL 9002 (grey white).
White is part of the Plakglass selection, the most popular colours offered at a more attractive price.
RAL whites available on glass
| RAL shade | Appearance and recommended use |
|---|---|
| RAL 9003 – signal white | Cool, very bright – the most popular, on low-iron glass |
| RAL 9016 – traffic white | Cool, crisp – gloss white unit fronts, contemporary style |
| RAL 9010 – pure white | Slightly warm – wooden kitchens, soft atmosphere |
| RAL 9001 – cream | Warm, ivory – cream unit fronts, stone, country style |
| RAL 9002 – grey white | Greyish neutral – concrete, light grey, mineral style |
Clear or low-iron glass: the choice that changes everything
The paint or enamel is seen through the glass. Standard clear glass contains a little iron oxide which gives it a pale green tint, all the more noticeable the thicker the glass. Behind it, white loses its brilliance: RAL 9003 on clear glass looks pale green.
Low-iron glass, almost colourless, shows the colour exactly as it appears on the chart. It is the recommended choice for all whites, as well as for all light colours. The configurator shows how each RAL looks on both types of glass; on-screen colours are for guidance only, as every screen displays them differently.
White back-painted or enamelled glass: which should I choose?
White back-painted glass has paint applied to the back of the toughened glass, in our workshop. It offers the widest choice of shades and a deep finish; it is intended for the dry rooms of the home: kitchen splashbacks, wall cladding, wardrobe doors, furniture tops. See our back-painted glass configurator.
White enamelled glass receives an enamel fired during toughening, which fuses with the glass. More resistant, it is recommended for a worktop or a table top, for bathrooms and for outdoor use. See made-to-measure enamelled glass.
Both are available with a smooth (gloss) or satin (frosted) surface, on clear or low-iron glass.
Frequently asked questions about white back-painted or enamelled glass
What is the whitest white for back-painted glass?
RAL 9003 (signal white) and RAL 9016 (traffic white) are the coolest and brightest whites. On low-iron glass, they give a pure white with no green tinge. RAL 9010, despite being called "pure white", is slightly warmer.
Why does my white glass look green?
Because it is made on standard clear glass: the iron oxide in the glass gives it a pale green tint, visible on the edge and through the front face, and stronger when the glass is thick. For a true white, choose low-iron glass.
Gloss white or satin white: what is the difference?
Gloss white, on smooth glass, reflects light and gives a deep lacquered effect. Satin white, on frosted glass, offers a soft, matt finish without reflections that shows fingerprints less.
White back-painted or white enamelled glass for a worktop?
For a worktop or table top, enamelled glass is recommended: the enamel, fired into the glass during toughening, stands up better to use. White back-painted glass is intended for wall surfaces and furniture in dry rooms.
Which standards does white back-painted or enamelled glass meet?
Both are safety glass toughened to European standard EN 12150, around five times stronger than ordinary glass. Back-painted glass belongs to the family of painted glass for indoor use (standard EN 16477) and has a safety film on the back.
How do I choose the right white for my unit fronts?
Compare with a physical colour chart, in the light of the room: a cool white (RAL 9003, 9016) goes with gloss white unit fronts, a warm white (RAL 9010, 9001) with cream or wooden fronts. Avoid judging on screen alone, as colours there are only approximate.