Photography by Jim Tschetter
Stained glass windows represent the ultimate choice of windows one can have in their home. At one time in the not-so-distant past, these windows were reserved for nearly exclusive use in churches and castles. However, in our modern world, entrepreneurs have elucidated ways to make the manufacturing process more efficient and even more customizable in terms of color and design. Stained glass windows are more available than ever before, and they offer the chance to add a splash of color and elegance to your home that at one time was simply not available to the public. Here at Divine Home Remodeling, we specialize in window replacement and installation. If you are thinking about stepping things up a notch with the windows in your home, please get in contact with us ASAP and we will give you a free estimate for the installation costs. In the meantime, read on to learn about how stained glass is made, and where it can best be utilized in your home.
Manufacturing Process:
Over the course of history, the processes by which glass has been manufactured have been revolutionized time and time again. In more historical times, glass that would ultimately become stained for use in churches and in castles had to be crafted by hand almost exclusively. Today, modern producers of stained glass still utilize many of the processes developed long ago. However, modern production methods have incorporated new technological systems to recreate the styles of glass traditionally used for stained glass in more efficient ways to increase production. Some high-quality glass companies still actually produce hand-blown glass, whereas most high-production companies make a type of glass known as rolled glass. Rolled glass is produced by machines that lay out molten glass on a table, typically made of metal or granite. These machines then roll out the glass with a large metal cylinder until it is evenly flat. This process allows companies to have a much larger output of glass than the hand-blown method does.
It turns out that the different colors of glass in stained glass window are produced by utilizing various kinds of metals. Various types of metals can produce different kinds of colors, and varying the concentrations of one kind of metal can produce various shades and hues of the same color. For example, silver nitrate can produce variations of yellow/orange, depending on the concentration. A low concentration of silver nitrate produces a light yellow color, whereas a high concentration of silver nitrate produces a dark orange color. There are countless different combinations of metals that can produce different combinations of color in glass. Some colors can be produced by mixing the metals into the glass as it cools, however this process doesn’t work for all of the colors, as some metals affect the cooling process of the glass. This sometimes leads to glass that doesn’t form properly, and in this instance, these colors are achieved by painting the metals onto the glass after it has cooled.
Stained glass windows actually are made up of several pieces of glass made up of different colors that are fused together. When a stained glass window depicts a picture, window makers must cut out each different colored piece of glass individually. The mosaics created by window makers are typically sketched out on paper first, and then pieces of glass are cut out from a sheet of glass for each geometrically unique piece of the picture. These pieces are then fused together with soldering and a weather-proof type of cement.
Where Should Stained Glass Windows Go?
Photography by Jim Tschetter
Stained glass windows are such an exquisitely beautiful thing, and the importance of where they should be placed should be carefully considered. You don’t want every window in your house to be made of stained glass, because this will take away from the special effect they are able to produce. Too many windows utilizing stained glass is not only extremely expensive, but it also runs the risk of making your house look more like a cathedral than a home. Therefore, stained glass windows should be used sparingly, to make one or two rooms in your home stand out from all the rest.
One place you can’t go wrong is having stained glass windows installed in the entryway to your home. With this type of placement, guests are treated to a truly spectacular entrance into your home. People with transparent windows in their entryway also sometimes have unwanted guests peeking through the windows into their home, which is never a pleasant experience. Having stained glass windows in the entryway removes the possibility for this problem to occur.
Photography by Jim Tschetter
Another wonderful place for stained glass windows would be in the bathroom, optimally in the form of a skylight window. This kind of placement of stained glass windows makes for an incredible shower experience, and gives the bathroom a colorful glow that it just otherwise wouldn’t have.
A final place of consideration for stained glass windows is the master bedroom, ideally behind the master bed. The master bedroom should be the pièce de résistance of the household, as this is typically where you as the homeowner will be spending most of your time. The master bedroom is arguably meant to be the most special room in the house, and therefore it warrants windows that are special as well, making it the perfect place for stained glass windows.
Photography by Jim Tschetter
Conclusion:
From their manufacturing, to their placement in a building, the entire process of stained glass window installation is a work of art that promises to add a layer of beauty and class to any home. If you are someone who has always wanted to have this look in your own home, please look to our team here at Divine Home Remodeling for your installation needs. We can offer you an estimate of the installation cost totally free of charge. We look forward to doing business with you!
Via contemporist