Stained Glass in Home Windows

by Tim Carter
(USA)

Finalizing a Stained Glass Project

HOME WINDOWS AND STAINED GLASS

I ran into an article that I thought you would find fun and very interesting. This is concerning the windows in your home.

You have either just purchased a home or you have lived in your home for a time and you want to make a change that will add appeal, privacy or décor to your home.

What a better way to do this than with stained glass.

The article discussed 2 small windows that the owner wanted to add a stained glass design. What is the best way to accomplish this?

They got 2 contractors opinions. One contractor said that if the owners purchased the glass for stained glass or made it themselves then he would install the stained glass between the 2 pieces of the window’s insulated glass.

The 2nd contractor said that that was a mistake and that the lead in the stained glass would affect the insulated glass seal – which would cause a window failure.

What is the best answer to this question to accomplish what the owners wanted?

The 1st contractor that talked about putting the glass between the insulated glass could be correct.

It is not hard to install the custom stained glass, but there are some issues that need to be addressed.

1. The size of the stained glass needs to be exact- meaning the size needs to fit precisely to the inner dimensions of the insulated glass.

If the stained glass panel was to large it could cause many problems and yet if it were too small, the opening or gap between the stained glass design and the insulated glass seal would not look correct.

It would not look like it had been there for years but jerry rigged in the window.

2. You also need to watch the thickness . If the stained glass design were not the same thickness as the space between the windows, the glass may shake, rattle or just plan like funny.

If the glass is too thick –this would put stress on the insulated and neither would seal properly in the window space.

The 2nd contractor stated that the 1st contractor’s suggestion was not the best. So the best way to install a stained glass design to a window is to install on top of the existing insulated glass on the inside of the home.

This technique is very simple and only takes minutes. Plus if you want to ever remove the stained glass it would be a much easier process.

To begin- make your stained glass design either after the insulated windows are install or just leave your windows alone with the glass in the window frame.

Take the measurements of the window in several locations. I don’t know of one home that is completely level. Measure the top left and right, the middle left and right, and the bottom left and right. Also measure in 3-4 spots depending the size of the window top to bottom.

You don’t want to make the stained glass and it not fit in the window- so better to take too many measurements than not enough.

Make your stained glass panel ¼” less in both width and height than the true size of your window. (The distance between the edges of the window sash and clear glass begins.)

This space will allow the stained glass panel to have an 1/8” space between the leaded stained glass and the edge of the window sash.

Be sure to clean both the stained glass panel and the inside of the clear glass- make sure it is clean and dry.

To install – tilt the stained glass design up into the inside of the window glass – use small brad nails in about 4 locations -1-top left, 1- bottom left, 1-top right, 1- bottom right. Pinch the brad nail against the window.

Option: If you are able to have the full window, such as in a door, on a flat horizontal surface, you could use push points (like what is on the back of picture frames).

I would recommend applying more than just 4- You want to make sure your window is secure. If your window is in a vertical position, you may need another set of hands to hold the window in place while you install the push points.

Back to the brad nails: Put these in at a low angle into the edge of the window sash, about 1/8”. Make sure you don’t hit the stained glass.

You sure don’t want to break the stained glass before it’s installed. The straight edge of the nail should be touching the edge of the stained glass leaded section. Also make sure the distance is equal on all sides of the stained glass to the window sash.

If the window is already painted, you would use paintable acrylic caulk to fill the gap between the stained glass and the window sash- thus covering the brad nails.

If the window sash is stained or is vinyl then you would use silicone caulk. Once the caulk has dried then you can use needle nose pliers to remove the brad nails.

Now your stained glass is securely in place. Remember caulk is like a form of adhesive and will secure your stained glass in place.

The stained glass design will be in full view inside your home for you to enjoy. There will not be any form of glare from any other piece of clear glass.

Remember that above it was mentioned that you could remove the stained glass at any time?

Well the process is simple with the use of a razor knife to cut thru the caulk. Put the blade of the razor along the edge of the stained glass panel. You will need to use a little effort to cut thru the caulk, but don’t press too hard so that the razor doesn’t scratch the window.

After you have removed the caulk and the stained glass window then just use the razor to remove the remaining caulk from the window glass.

I found this article very much fun and something most people could accomplish on their own.

Just think what the look a stained glass window would provide. It will also give you privacy rather than closing drapes or shades. It will have a year round beauty.

Article Source: Tim Carter; http://www.askthebuilder.com/567_Stained_Glass.shtml

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