There are a lot of choices that you will have to make.  Please take the time to read the items that apply to you.
 

• Something you saw on our page
• Glass you saw somewhere else
• Stained glass designed for you
• Selecting the glass
• Selecting the construction method
• How long will it take
• Getting it shipped
• Paying for it.
• Installing the stained glass

Most of the pictures have the approximate price shown.  The number in parentheses is the cost per square foot. The shipping cost (and sales tax if you are in Wisconsin)  is not included.  If the photo shows bevels, their cost is included.  There is also the assumption that 'normal' glass is used.  There are some specialty glasses and some colors that are more expensive, but these glasses comprise less than 10% of the available glass.

Glass you saw somewhere else

We will make something based on someone else's design, but will not violate the copyright of their design.  If you see something you like on the web, in a magazine, or elsewhere we can design something similar for you.
 

Stained glass designed for you

If you can send us images of things you like and/or a general description of the type of design desired, we will design stained glass for you.

In general we will send you four designs based on your request.  Obviously, the more information you can provide the better.  You will also need to send us the dimensions of the finished item.  For the design, these need to be accurate to about 1/4".

Unfortunately, because of past experiences, we will have to charge you $25 for this service.  This charge will be applied toward the total cost of the completed stained glass panel.

Selecting the glass

There is no way to describe the many variations, colors, and textures of glass that is available.  Glass comes in three main styles, cathedral, opalescent, and wispy.
Cathedral - colored or clear glass that can easily be seen through.
Opalescent - Solid or multi-colored, cannot be seen through.
Wispy - A blend of cathedral and opalescent glass.  Properties depend upon the relative proportions of the two glasses.

When selecting glass there are several things to consider in regard to where the panel will be placed and how it will be used.

Clarity - How well can the items behind the glass be seen.  Is the glass for the door on your fine crystal, or is it for a cabinet where you store your canned goods?  Is it a bathroom window or a front door?
cathedral glasses, especially the light colors and textures are easily seen through. Opalescent transmits only light.  Textures on the cathedrals will distort the image.  The heaviest textures turn the image from behind the glass into color blobs when viewed from more than a few inches away.

Light on the glass - If the glass is lit only from the front most of the cathedral glasses will appear black under low light levels, while opalescent glass will retain its color.

To select the actual glasses we would recommend that you visit a local retailer that sells supplies to the stained glass hobbyist.  Look in your Yellow Pages under Glass - Stained and Leaded.  Most of these stores will be helpful and the glass is often labeled with the the name of the manufacturer and the glass name or number.

Another option is the web.  Many of the glass manufactures have excellent sites with descriptions and pictures of the glass they make. Among these are the following:

• Spectrum Glass
• Kokomo Opalescent Glass
• American Bevel Co.  bevels and bevel clusters
• Wissmatch Glass
• Youghiogheny

Selecting the construction method
 

There are two methods to assemble a stained glass panel.  They are the copper foil, or Tiffany method and the metal came method.
The foil method involves wrapping each piece of glass with copper foil  and then running a bead of solder on both sides of the glass. The metal came ( lead, zinc, and brass ) is shaped like the letter 'H' and the glass is slid into the came and the joints are soldered.  The table details some of the properties of each construction method.
 
 
 

	foil	lead	zinc	brass
weight	very light	very heavy	light	light
strength	strong	weakest	strong	very strong
patinas	natural - will turn gray with time gray black copper - will darken in time dark antique brass	Natural - will turn gray black	Natural - will turn gray grayish blackish	none
type of design	any	most	curves up to 6" radius	Almost straight lines
extra cost	no	no	no	yes
comments	Ideal for complex designs. Can be reinforced invisibly.	bold lines. Maybe too heavy for most cabinet doors	Bold lines	Looks good when tarnished. VERY bold lines. color often objectionable. does not bend around curves

 

How long will it take
 

Once you have provided sufficient information for us to design your stained glass you can expect to receive the designs by e-mail in 1-2 weeks.
When you get to the top of the list it will generally take 2-4 weeks for us to build your panel.  We will provide you a delivery date when you have us start construction.

Getting it shipped
 

Small items can be shipped in a cardboard box via UPS for a reasonable fee, exactly how much depends on where you are.  Larger items will require a wood crate to be built, which adds a lot to the cost. If they are not huge they can still ship UPS.  If they are very large/heavy then it will have to be shipped by truck ( motor carrier ) which costs even more.
Examples:  small item in box to east coast $15-25(UPS).
                  40"X12" panel to east coast $100-150(UPS)
In any case we will charge for just the cost of the packing materials and shipping charges.

Paying for it
 

This is always a bit sticky.  We are still too small to get into taking credit cards,  the cost of doing this vs the number of sales just does not make sense.
The best we can come up with that looks after both yours and our interests (we are open to suggestions) is for you to pay the estimated shipping charges and one half the cost of the panel(s)  when you tell us to start construction, and the remainder either when the item(s) are ready for shipping or as COD when the delivery company delivers.  There would then be either a small payment due or refund check for the differences between the estimated and actual shipping charge.

Installing the stained glass
 

Hanging panel - What ever you do,  do not use those suction cups that go on a window.  After a time they will fail.  Put screw hooks into the frame that are rated to hold the weight of your panel.  If the item is small, fishing line can be used, otherwise use the chain we provided.

Window or door insert - The panel will be constructed 1/8"-3/16" smaller than the opening to ease the installation. There are two ways of installing the panel.
 

Inside the existing opening. Slide the panel into the opening and screw wood stops around the insert to hold it in place.  This is the easiest method but looks the poorest and reduces  the size of the opening.

The preferred way is to remove the molding and existing stop. Slide the panel into the opening. Trim the old stops to allow for the thickness of the panel. Replace the stops and molding using screws.
 

Screws are recommended rather then nails so that then panel can be removed for cleaning or if you move.
When installing use a small wood shim (1/16"-1/8") at the bottom and sides of the panel to make it tight with the frame.  Do not use shims the full length or attempt to seal (with caulk) the window into the frame, the small gaps will prevent moisture problems between the stained glass and the window.

Cabinets - The panel will be constructed several millimeters smaller than the provided dimensions to ease the installation.  Sometimes the opening in the back of the cabinet has rounded rather than square corners. If this is minimal, then you can cut/file the corners off the panel. Otherwise you will need to square out the cabinet.

There are two ways of installing the panel in the cabinet.
 

Caulk - a good silicon caulk can be used.  Lay a small bead on the panel and insert it into the cabinet door. Center the panel and then fill the space between the panel and the door.  We do not recommend this method as it makes the stained glass difficult to remove for proper cleaning, etc.

Clips - Many kinds of plastic or metal clips can be found at hardware stores or glass stores.  These are screwed into the cabinet door and press on the panel to hold it in place.  Small shims may be required on your panel, depending upon the depth of the cutout.  If we know that the panel is for a cabinet installation we will provide the clips and screws needed
 

If additional details are required or you have a special condition we will provide you additional instructions.