Stained Glass Windows

Types of Stained Glass Windows (756 words)

Leaded - glass is approx. 1/8" thick; weight 2-3 lbs per sq. ft.

Faceted - glass is approx. 1" thick, glass is set in a 2 part epoxy compound; weight 12-13 lbs. per sq. ft.

Leaded Stained Glass

I. Glass types - 1/8" thick

A. Antiques/cathedrals: usually a single color, translucent and smooth on both sides. Images can be seen through this glass, but not clearly. Transmitted light is required to fully appreciate the color of this type of glass.
B. Opalescent: a white glass mixed with one or more colors, usually smooth on both sides. Images can not be seen through this glass because of its density. The colors of this glass can be appreciated with either transmitted or reflected light.
C. Wispy: a clear and cathedral glass with wisps of whitish, cloud like tails. Images can be seen through this glass but not clearly. This glass can be appreciated with either transmitted or reflected light but works best with transmitted light.

II. Came - available in >H= or >U= profile - used to hold pieces of stained glass together

A. Lead - most traditional came used
B. Brass - will oxidize with age, difficult to bend
C. Copper - will oxidize with age, difficult to bend
D. Zinc - brittle, will crack with age, difficult to bend

III. Putty - a glazing compound that is worked inside the lead channel to fill the spaces around the stained glass. This acts as a weatherproofing for primary windows and contributes to the strength of the window.

IV. Brace Bars - typically a flat bar of tinned steel; 1/8" thick and 3/8 - 2" wide. These bars are soldered to the window in a horizontal and vertical configuration to provide structural integrity to the window. The bars can be bent to follow the lead lines to minimize the interference on the esthetics of the design.

V. Frames - all stained glass windows require a back stop and a front stop to fasten the window to the frame. Frames and stops are available in three materials.

A. Wood: High maintenance; can deteriorate due to exposure.
B. Steel: Requires some maintenance to avoid rusting; screw applied stops (2 -3/4" high) work best with this system.
C. Aluminum: Virtually no maintenance. Screw applied stops (2-3/4" high) are preferred. Systems with snap in stops (especially those with vinyl glazing beads) are designed for commercial glass and don=t work as efficiently with leaded stained glass panels.

VI. Caulking - a weatherproofing sealant between the frame and the panel.

A. Latex - an adequate caulk, that is paintable, but may shrink causing air pockets. Latex will ooze when the panel is seated into the frame and requires clean up.
B. Silicone - more durable than latex, but cannot be painted and makes the removal of a stained glass panel very difficult.
C. Polyurethane - very efficient caulk, comes in colors, is paintable and makes the removal of a stained glass panel difficult.
D. Butyl glazing tape - comes in several thicknesses and widths. 1/8" thick and 3/8" width seems to be the standard in the industry. It=s easy to apply, has clean lines and there is no clean up.

VII. Overglazing - protects the stained glass from outside elements

A. Insulated glass unit - best option for thermal value and prevention of condensation. If both pieces of clear glass in the insulated unit are tempered, it will provide better protection against the elements (hail) and vandalism.
B. Tempered glass that is not insulated, will provide protection from hail and vandalism but the air space between the stained glass panel and the tempered glass will probably condensate in the winter.
C. Laminated glass - same as tempered glass.
D. Lexan - a polycarbonate that is extremely impact resistant, but scratches easily and hazes or turns cloudy with time.
E. Plexiglas - an acrylic plastic that resists scratches better than Lexan. Plexiglas hazes with time faster than Lexan.

VIII. Lighting

A. Incandescent - poor application for stained glass unless using quartz/halogen for color quality on small subject matter. May require white plexiglas diffuser behind stained glass to reduce hot spots.
B. Fluorescent - works well with light box applications using color corrected lamps and plexiglas diffuser.
C. Metal Halide Hid - great light source for outdoor and large subject matter applications. For indoor use, indirect lighting or plexiglas diffuser works best.

IX. Uses - limited only by the imagination.

A. Windows, doors
B. Cabinets
C. Domes
D. Fences
E. Lamps