Made in China and India
Like many imported products, Chinese & Indian manufactured stained glass windows may appear to be just as good as American-made glass, and will often be less expensive.
But, is seeing believing?
Take a closer look. Quality is Value
Every intricate piece of glass that goes into the design of one of our beautiful stained glass windows, must be cut from a larger sheet of stained glass. Every sheet we use is crafted by artisan's right here in the United States. The rigors of this demanding, personal work insure the quality of every piece that goes into one of our creations.
The industrial stained glass that is mass produced in China is commonly riddled with defects including: air bubbles, debris, heat peel, and heat cracks which compromise the beauty, value, and durability of the stained glass.
Foiled Again
Copper - or "black" - foil is one of the main materials in a stained glass window's leading. This is the material that literally holds the window together, and insures it's durability - and lasting value - over time.
Generic, Chinese "copper foil" lacks the adhesive properties and overall quality of American made foils. We use only Venture Tape foil. Venture Tape is the most popular foil used by stained glass artisans in the United States, and was recently acquired by one of the biggest adhesives manufacturers in the world: 3M Corporation.
Cut to the Chase
When constructing stained glass windows using the Tiffany style, or copper foil method, precision cutting is the key to quality. If the glass is not cut precisely, it will create abnormally large and inconsistent lead lines thought out the panel. These inconsistencies are a tell-tale sign of low quality craftsmanship.
Lead, not Red
Lead quality is a crucial component of your stained glass product's durability and value. In addition to the glass itself, the lead solder will be visible for years to come. Most Chinese & Indian made stained glass panels are made with a metal, tin and lead mixture which will make your solder lines susceptible to rust over time.
We only use a high-quality, 50% lead/50%, tin/lead mixture for our soldering lines. This mixture is guaranteed to never rust, and it creates a high quality lead line that is visually pleasing and indicative of superb craftsmanship.
Brace Yourself
Our stained glass windows are thoroughly braced to create a secure and strong product that will not flex or bow. Flexing and bowing may cause the stained glass to crack and the camming (channel) to break down prematurely. |
