about stained glass

We at north florida stained glass truly enjoy the art of designing and constructing art glass projects and we want to share a little information about stained glass with you. Traditional stained glass is created from a mixture of silica, soda, and lime (minerals, not soft drinks and fruit!) which is then heated to a temperature of anywhere from 1700°F to 2700°F, depending on the type and intended color of the glass. The colors are determined by the use of metals such as copper, iron, manganese, selenium, and gold, rather than using colored pigments (no wonder reds and pinks are so expensive....they use REAL gold to make these colors!). The glass remains molten for up to two days before it moves on to its next stage. The molten mixture is poured out onto a sheet of iron/steel and then flattened with a series of rollers. A handblown glass is made differently, in that molten glass is gathered on the end of a long steel blowpipe and then air is blown into that glass creating a glass sphere. This sphere is then transferred to a long steel pontil rod where the bubble is punctured and split to create a flat glass disk. A third method involves pouring the molten glass on to an iron/steel sheet and letting it form into molten pools which are then allowed to cool. The resultant crevices, ripples, ridges and small folds give a unique character to each sheet of the glass. Once the glass is rolled, spun, or pooled, it is reheated to a pliable stage and cooled down (annealed) very slowly for several hours.

Glass types used for our construction fall into two main classifications. Glass that you can see through is referred to as cathedral glass and that which is opaque is called opalescent. The glass type and combination of these glasses is very important to the ability of your project to be not only aesthetically pleasing, but also to meeting your goals of light transmission or privacy. Proper selection will ensure that you continue to enjoy your stained glass installation for many years to come.

Now that you know a little more about glass, let's look at how your panel goes together. Each pattern piece is traced onto a sheet of glass and then scored with a carbide wheel cutter. That score makes the glass weaker along that line and it can then be broken away. Once the glass piece is the size and shape we want, we either encase it in lead came or wrap it in copper foil. The lead came method involves using a strip of alloy -enriched lead shaped like a sideways letter "H." Glass fits into each side of the lead opening and the junctions are soldered together creating a strong, cohesive panel. After soldering is completed, a glazing compound is used to fill all gaps between the glass and lead so that you have a weather-tight piece. The newer method (developed by Tiffany) involves wrapping each cut piece of glass in an adhesive backed copper foil and then we solder it along the entire length of each glass seam. Each method has its own merits and particular uses, but the key to both is good design. The combination of method and design provide strength, harmony, and the overall final effect.

Stained glass is a unique art form that derives its beauty from light, color, and design. It is with both respect for, and an understanding of these qualities, that north florida stained glass has been creating some of the finest art glass since 1981.

We enjoy our work and hope you do as well, and please contact us with any inquiries, questions, and quote requests you might have.