Take Your Pick - Types of Glass for Stained Glass Projects

When we first started making stained glass we didn't realize the many types of glass for stained glass art.

Remember this is a creative artform with many types of projects to choose from. You can do really simple designs or get very complex as your skill level increases.

Below, Randy has listed a few types of the glass you can use when making your pieces.

The main types of glass you'll find are:

Cathedral: - Typically a single color and appears transparent. Came from the early days of glass art in Europe.

Opalescent: - Has a milky appearance, usually a combination of colors with swirls and streaks. Doesn't give off as much light, but still offers great finished designs.

You can also find the terms translucent, streaky, wispy, and textured glass. There are pros and cons to each as it will depend on the projects you create.

Glass is sold either by square foot or by the pound. It is best to purchase at least 25% more glass than your project calls for.

You want to make sure you have enough glass to cover the design and provide room for error - yes it does happen.

If you run out, the glass company may not have the same style and color. It has happened to us and really put a wrench in our project.

Another tip is to keep your "throw-away" glass/scraps in a box/trash can designated for your stained glass art. That way you may be able to utlize pieces down the road, with caution of course.

Types of Glass & Textures You Can Choose From

Plain:
You can get this in a variety of colors, clear. No texture.

Bevel glass:
A piece of glass that the edge is ground to a slant and polished. This type of glass can be used in a variety of ways- whether a border or part of the pattern.

Glue Chip:
This is a colorless, textured glass. You personally can't see thru this glass type, but the light will be able to get thru. Many times this is used with Bevel.

Waterglass:
This glass has a wavy effect like rippling water on a pond or a lake. It comes in a variety of colors. It is also tough to see thru, which offers some privacy to a homeowner or business. Very popular surface for your glass art.

Flemish:
Flemish glass is typically used for borders around your design and offers a textured look.

Baroque:
A highly textured glass with lots of swirls. If you are looking for a special effect, consider using Baroque.

Antique:
This glass has simple lines and offers a neat design. Pick it up either clear or in color.

Jewel:
Looks like a piece of jewelry (hence the name). Will come raised and beveled on many angles. Comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. By using jewel glass, you'll add depth to a pattern in small quanities.

Insulated lead glass:
This can be achieved by adding 1/8" tempered glass to both sides of the leaded glass. By insulating a glass design-it becomes energy efficient, and easier to clean. Plus it adds securtiy.

Other glass for stained glass types and textures include: smooth, seedy, granite, hammered, ripple, vertigo, and more...

We'll get into detail on each type of glass for stained glass, style, and texture as we go. Each project calls for creativity and differenty types of glass, so we'll go with the flow. This section is designed so you understand and hear each term.

This provides a basic start of the types of glass for stained glass you'll run into as your designing and creating your projects. There are others that you will hear about, but these are the types we use on the majority of our projects.

Return home if you've found your glass for stained glass projects