Here we would like to discuss the light transmission modulation by periodic and disordered one dimensional (1D) photonic structures. In particular, we will present some theoretical and experimental findings highlighting the peculiar optical properties of: i) 1D periodic and disordered photonic structures made with two or more materials; ii) 1D photonic structures in which the homogeneity or the aggregation of the high refractive index layers is controlled. We will focus also on the fabrication aspects of these structures.