what is warm glass?

understanding the art of stained or architectural glass

The following is a very brief, simplified, overview of the art of creating a stained or architectural glass piece.  This addresses "Cold" Glass (not Warm or Hot or Mosaics or any other area I cannot think of at this point).  As with any art, there is a lot more detail that could be added but the intent of this page is to explain the time, energy, effort and years of experience required to create and complete a project.

Please click on a bullet to expand or collapse a topic... 

• methods of creating stained glass

  • There are two main methods for creating, either using Copper Foil (where each piece of glass is individually wrapped in a thin piece of foil tape and then soldered) or Lead Came (where each piece of glass is encased in a piece of lead shaped like a "U" or an "H").  Although some may argue differently, both methods work and have their benefits based on the application.
     

  • I prefer the Foil method for smaller panels, scenes, lamps, sun catchers, etc., where the pieces of glass are smaller and the foil width is altered to accommodate the glass.  Often foiled projects are more detailed. 
     

  • Leaded projects offer smooth lines and appear more "manufactured" as only the joints (where 2 or more pieces of lead came come together) are soldered.  You will find lead being used for front doors, tub windows or other large glass applications. 
     

• glass

  • There are many categories of glass -- machine rolled, hand-blown, etc.  For simplicity, I have broken this section down into two main types -- Stained and Architectural.
     

  •  Stained Glass is "Colored" glass.  It is manufactured with the color in it & I purchase it in large sheets.  Depending upon the glass and the manufacturer, the color may be "one of a kind" and hard to replicate a color match years or even months down the road.  Once you figure out color, you then have to decide on Opacity, Texture and other variables which won't be addressed here...
     

  • Architectural Glass is best described as "Clear" glass, often with a texture or pattern.  A very common application for Architectural glass is for windows & doors.  Often, architectural glass is complimented with bevels.
     

• other glass options

  • The art of creating glass is not limited to the options I mention here but only to the limits of the artist's creativity.  Just know that common additions to a glass project are Bevels, Jewels, Copper Foil Overlay, Fancy Soldering, and even Paint, to name a few.  Personally, I feel bevels make a window shimmer but they do come add to the price tag -- complicating the design process and construction but still well worth it!
     

• the process (way, way simplified)

  • Consultation & Design - this may be the most time consuming aspect of the process -- taking ideas & applying them to paper.  I do use a sophisticated glass design package called GlassEye which helps in this process but good communication is essential.
     

  • Glass Selection - a part of design and  a difficult process all the same.
     

  • Pattern Printing - does the pattern fit the area.  This is critical if the window is to be installed into a specific area.
     

  • Cutting each piece of glass, grinding where necessary & fitting each piece into the pattern -- this is very much like doing a jigsaw puzzle.
     

  • Foiling (wrapping each piece of glass in a thin piece of copper tape & then burnishing it) or wrapping Leadi around each piece of glass
     

  • Soldering seams or joints
     

  • Reinforcement - Added externally if needed
     

  • Cleaning, Puttying or Applying Patina & Cleaning & Polishing Again - producing a product that shines.
     

• the price - Please visit "Designing Your Window"...

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  what is warm glass?