Stained glass is the most eye-catching and mesmerizing material you can view. It’s used in many high-profile buildings and religious structures. Some homeowners use it to spruce up their homes as well. Have you ever asked, "How does stained glass get its colors?" If so, these are a couple of answers to common questions about stained glass and how it gets its unique appeal.
How are different colors of stained glass made?
Colored stained glass is created using a mixing process. Specialists add variations of metal oxides and powders to get the desired effect. The end result is fabulously colored glass.
To create specific colors, they use elements that will produce different hues when they react. Cobalt blue glass is created by adding cobalt to the molten glass. A color like yellow requires sulfur or cadmium, and chrome creates emerald green hues.
Red is one of the rarest stained glass colors, and it used to require gold for production. Technological innovations have allowed other materials to produce red stained glass. However, it’s still produced in lower numbers than most of the other colors.
How are the stained pieces joined for a project?
A joining process is used to create certain intricate stained glass projects. Manufacturers typically use lead or copper foil, and the various glass pieces are placed into shape-conforming channels at the edges. Copper foil is the most vastly used product because of its ease of use and low cost. Lead is much more costly and highly complex to use. Thus, hobbyists and small glass companies prefer to use the foil option.
Is creating stained glass hard?
With the use of computerized technology, stained glass creation can be less time-consuming. It’s typically a several-step process that begins with pattern designing. Many artists use computer programs to create their designs, but some choose to stick to pen-and-paper methods of drawing their visual creations.
The artist prints the pattern once he or she completes it, and then the glass gets cut to fit the pattern. Next, each piece is placed into a lead channel and soldered to it. The completed window goes through the cleaning process at the end, which can take days to complete. The result is an attractive window for businesses and homeowners to display with pride.
How can I get stained glass for my home or office?
You’ll need to contact a reputable glass artist if you’d like to have such products for your home or building. When considering glass providers, remember to ask for pictures of their creations and read some reviews to learn what their former and current clients have to say about their performance. Custom projects can be expensive, so you’ll need to ensure that you hire a trustworthy provider for your project.
Now that you know how stained glass is created, you’re probably ecstatic about owning a few pieces for yourself. You can begin your journey by visiting Smith’s Stained Glass to help you create a monumental scene at your site in the future.