DIY stained glass window

Patterns of multi-colored glass, gaping in the sun or mysteriously flickering at night - the sight is very beautiful. Stained-glass windows are decorated not only with windows, but also with screens, ceilings, and doors. This decor transforms the home, and also gives it a unique atmosphere.

How can I create a stained glass window on my own

The most commonly used technologies are:

  1. Fusing. It is made by fusing small colored pieces of glass in furnaces. Before fusion, all parts are ground, then laid on a glass base with the formation of a pattern. Processing in the furnace is the final stage of stained glass manufacturing, after which the multi-colored elements are combined into one.
  2. Faceted stained glass window. It implies the manufacture of stained glass according to the principle of classical technology. The difference is that certain elements are faceted. This is done to improve aesthetic properties thanks to a better play of light.
  3. Tiffany The manufacturing technique involves the bonding of glass particles with a metal strip or solder. Due to this, the main elements are intricate patterns, original shapes and bright colors.
  4. Painted stained glass window. A technology that involves applying a pattern to a glass base with further processing in an oven.

Preparatory work

Before you make a stained-glass window, you need to develop a sketch. In this case, a number of conditions must be observed:

  1. To increase the resistance of the stained-glass window to mechanical actions, the sketch must have many cross-shaped joints.
  2. If wide joints for joining are used in the design of the sketch, long and narrow pieces of glass must be abandoned, this will avoid the formation of cracks during heating.
  3. After choosing a pattern, you need to make a list of the required elements and number them, taking into account the color. Print the developed project, not forgetting to leave a small distance (1.28-1.29 mm) for the seams, which is required for tin groove.
  4. Place the printed drawing on the mounting table, fixing it with a glazing bead along the contour.
  5. Then pick up the glass to assemble the stained glass window. Today there is a large assortment of different types of glass and related materials for the manufacture of stained glass. To choose the right glass elements, you need a color sketch. If there are no differences in the glass, you can choose the same glass in thickness and color.
  6. Then glass is cut, for this a sketch is applied to it and a line is drawn with a pencil on the contour of all the elements. Do not forget that all details are numbered, and only those that correspond to the desired color should be outlined.

Stained glass window: step by step

Then, when the cutting is completed, with the help of a grinder, all chips at the ends of the elements are removed. After doing this, all the details around the edges are wrapped with folia. This is an adhesive tape sticky on the principle of adhesive tape:

  1. Next, put all the particles on the tracing paper in the order that corresponds to the sketch, observing a distance of at least 1 mm, so tin will better fasten all the elements together.
  2. Using a brush, process the joints with a solder flux, this will allow tin to reliably connect individual pieces together.
  3. Then perform the soldering. The tin wire is melted with a stained-glass soldering iron. Solder is held along the seam, not lingering for a long time in one place, so the glass will not glow strongly.
  4. Now, using flat soldering, you need to process the perimeter of the created pattern with a brass frame. After thoroughly rinse the finished product with water and proceed with the patina treatment, which is done with a brush. This will create a decorative effect of gilding or bronze coating. Let the stained glass window dry and polish it.

This stained-glass window will fit into any kind of interior decoration. Adds brightness to the plain surface of the home. With turns, you can decorate windows or flat shades, the facade of transparent furniture and hide the contents of the wardrobe.

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