Frequently Asked Questions
Tel: (619)651-2323
E-Mail: [email protected]
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from California, USA
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FAQs. General Information
Can you make a stained glass window according to my specific needs?
Yes, we can make you a completely original window according to your needs, or we can alter one of the patterns displayed on our website to meet your specific size and color needs. YOUR IMAGINATION IS THE LIMIT!
Where do you ship your Stained Glass Windows?
We offer FREE shipping on stock items (not custom ordered items) to all states except Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico (additional charges will apply).
How much do you charge per square foot, on average?
We generally charge from $145 to $200 for each square foot of stained glass within your window. Windows that are less than 4 square feet will cost slightly more. Also, very intricate patterns and windows with a lot of beveled glass will cost more and will be quoted on a job-by-job basis.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept most major debit/credit cards, including VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Paypal payments and money orders (Please email payments to [email protected])
What are some different applications for your stained glass art?
Our stained glass panels are incredibly versatile and can be applied to the interior or exterior of your home in a variety of places. We make stained glass creations for all types of applications, including windows, doors, and cabinet inserts, sidelites, transoms, lightboxes, LED Backlit wall units, partitions and more!
Stained Glass Window Applications
Can you make a stained glass window according to my specific needs, such as size, color, or pattern?
Yes, we can make you a completely original window according to your needs, or we can alter one of the patterns displayed on our website to meet your specific size and color needs. YOUR IMAGINATION IS THE LIMIT!
What does vinyl lettering look like within a stained glass window? (Ideal when applying text to smaller areas)
Below are a few examples of vinyl lettering. There are hundreds of fonts available
What are the difference between opaque (non-transparent) glass and transparent Waterglass?
Opaque colored and clear textured glasses is the type of glass that will give you privacy
If you note in the picture above that the opaque colored glasses illuminate really nicely and evenly but will not allow actually sunrays to come within your home. You will also not be able to see out of the window with the naked eye. In most cases, both opaque and water glasses will be used within most designs unless there are privacy issues.
Waterglass is the most popular transparent glass used in stained glass today
Please note the Waterglass above which represents the ocean water used within this piece. Waterglass has ripples/waves which mimic water and will provide a fair amount of privacy. The closer you are to this glass the better chance you will be able to make out what is on the other side.
Once you are more than 5 feet back from the glass the view will distort enough to where you cannot make out details. Waterglass will omit color from the sun rays in your home and opaque glass will not. The water glass will also give you some really interesting color hues and will interact with the sun and even the street & car lights at night.
How are stained glass windows actually made?
AutoCAD Stained glass software design.
Once the pattern is approved we plot out your full pattern.
One of our employees cutting out the plotted pattern so that each piece may be used as a stencil
Each piece of paper is placed onto the glass and traced.
The edge of each piece of cut stained glass is wrapped in an adhesive-backed copper-foil.
This is what enables the solder to stick together and create the channeling that will hold your window together.
Each copper-foiled piece is now assembled like a puzzle on a duplicate copy of the original pattern.
Once the glass pieces are placed on the duplicate copy, we then start the soldering process which will hold your window together.
One completed the window is cleaned, waxed and shipped to another happy customer.
What is tempered glass?
Tempered glass is the most popular safety glass used that meets Uniform Building Code standards. The heating and cooling process involved in making tempered glass produces a product four to five times ber than standard annealed glass. ACI Distribution’s tempered safety glass is recommended for use as safety glazing for potentially hazardous locations including entrance doors, patio doors, sidelites, and shower doors. If damaged, tempered glass will shatter into small, blunt glass fragments rather than sharper, more dangerous pieces. Tempered glass is the most economical means of meeting safety glazing requirements.
How thick is the stained glass window?
The stained glass we use is 1/8″ thick. After we install the metal brace bar around the perimeter of the window, the total width is 3/4″ thick. The oak wood frame and tempered glass option will also equal 3/4″ in width. If this poses a problem, narrower widths can be created, depending on the size of the window. Please e-mail us for details.
Check the images below for a better understanding of window widths.
What is the metal brace bar on the back of the window?
The metal brace bar on the perimeter of the window gives the window a backbone or frame for stability and durability. It also acts as an easy lip for installation. Without this brace bar the window would flex & bow and would most likely crack when handled or during shipping. The brace bar will make the edge of your window 1/2″ to 3/4″ wide.
(Above window looking straight down)
(Larger windows require additional brace bar)
For larger windows, a second brace bar will be added through the center of the window. This additional brace bar will be adapted to blend into the design along the lead lines so it will not take away from the window’s beauty. If you do not want any brace bar the only to get around it is to have it sealed within two pieces of clear tempered glass.
(Picture of brace bar on a window looking straight forward)
(A closer side angle picture of the window above with brace bar running along the lead lines)
What are my camming options & cost for my window?
What is Camming?
Camming is the lines/channels that hold your window together.
Camming options below:
*Black foil
This is also called the “Tiffany” construction method & is our most popular choice. This option allows for sleeker lead lines and enables us to design patterns with more detail without the wider lead line dominating the design.
* Lead came ($10 additional a square foot.)
* Brass came ($20 additional per square foot)
This is identical to lead came except this is brass. It has a shiny bright brass finish which is really nice if this is what you are looking for. Whether you go with foil or came it is just a matter of preference
Does StainedGlassWindows.com stain it's own glass?
Contrary to what many people think, there is not a stained glass studio that actually stains its own glass. Rather, the stained glass sheets are made in a larger factory and then sold to stained glass artists to be used within their projects. There are over 1,000 different stained and clear textured glasses available on the market today and more being made every day.
An example of iridescent glass?
Iridescent coated glass is a permanent factory-applied coating that is only on one side of the glass. It is more apparent from some angles than others and is a clever and elegant way to give your windows a touch of subtle color.
Where do you ship your Stained Glass Windows?
We ship orders to all U.S. States and *Canada.
Shipping included to the USA on stock items to all states except Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico (additional charges will apply), for custom projects the cost will depend on the size and cost of the stained glass window.
*CANADA can be expected to have shipping delays as we cannot estimate the time it takes for a delivery to pass through customs. It is the buyer’s responsibility for any custom duty fees that may be charged upon delivery. * CANADA can be expected to have shipping delays (we cannot estimate the time it takes for a delivery to pass through customs). It is the buyer’s responsibility for any custom duty fees that may be charged upon delivery.
Do you ship your international?
Yes, we ship worldwide using FedEx and RL Carriers.
What if my shipment arrives damaged?
In the rare event that a shipment has arrived damaged, the damage must be reported to StainedGlassWindows.com within 72 hours of the shipments delivery date. Any damage reported within 72 hours of delivery will be taken care of by way of shipment pick-up, repair and return to the original shipping address.
Can you custom make a stained glass window according to my specific needs?
Yes, we can make you a custom window pattern from a picture or idea you might have. We also can alter one of our existing patterns to meet your specific size and color needs. YOUR IMAGINATION IS THE LIMIT!
How long do custom orders usually take to create and ship?
Most jobs are completed within 3-6 weeks. Large windows or orders for multiple windows may take slightly longer.
Where can I see a palette of colors from which to choose?
View our Full Color Palette
Do you sell your patterns for personal projects?
We only model our windows after these patterns and do not sell them. You may print or draw the patterns, or trace and resize them, but we simply do not have the manpower to fulfill requests for the patterns.
Can you insulate, triple glaze, or seal the stained glass window within two pieces of tempered glass for extra insulation, protection, acoustical reduction and to meet city codes?
Yes, we offer this service for any window we build. This usually runs an additional $22 per square foot of glass. This includes the cost for the front and back glass, Super spacer TM weather stripping (rubber gasket for between the windows), and labor.
The window will come ready to easily install within your new construction or upgrade of an existing window. The picture below shows a window edge that is 3/4″ thick (can be made slightly smaller on request) after it has been sandwiched between two pieces of clear tempered glass and is ready for easy installation. High wind and storm glass is also available.
Different views on an insulated window unit:
Super Spacer® – TrueWARM® Edge Technology
Clearly, the Super Spacer product line stands alone. We call it TrueWARM because Super Spacer is the world’s only 100% polymer foam, NO-Metal Warm Edge spacing system. Its arrival on the scene in 1989 revolutionized the insulating glass industry, and today, this TSS technology is still breaking new ground in providing the warmest, longest-lasting windows anywhere in the world.
The NO-Metal Advantage
Thermal efficiency through no presence of conductive metals” is Super Spacer’s hallmark. The edge of the insulating glass unit is indeed the most vulnerable to heat and cooling loss, condensation and frosting. Super Spacer’s NO-Metal formula blocks the heat escape path and provides one of the best thermal performances in the industry. That means it keeps the heat in during the winter months and keeps the cool in during the summer months. Super Spacer assures comfortable winter humidity
Can you make stained glass windows with a wood frame?
Yes, we can supply you with a stained glass unit pre-installed within a frame for new construction. Our company will make the glass portion of your order and we will order your frame from one of our trusted and well know US manufactures.
We then glaze in our glass unit into the frame at our location and then ship the whole window unit to you for easy installation .
Our frame manufactures offer the traditional framing choices such as all wood, wood-clad, vinyl, aluminum, synthetic wood etc.
We also can make you a glass unit for your existing frame.
White Fixed Vinyl Frame
Almond Colored Fixed Vinyl Frame
Example #2 of a white vinyl awning (crank-out) frame.
Example #3 of a Wood-Clad window from Superior Frame Company.
(It has a white aluminum exterior surface with the warmth of natural wood on the interior)
Exterior of the frame
Example #4 of an all Wood window from TM Cobb Milllworks.
(Exterior grade frame complete with Jamb & sill)
Example #5 – Pine wood sash frame from TM Cobb Millworks.
(Does not have the Jamb & sill. This is suitable for interior installation)
Example #6- Stock decorative wood frame made of hard oak:
(suitable for hanging your window)
Example #7 – This is an over-sized window which had to have a divider bar so we could make the window in two panes:
Can you make windows with odd shapes, such as octagons, arches, trapezoids, or ovals?
Yes, we can make almost any size or shape of window. In most cases all we would need is a paper template made out of cardboard or newspaper. This will be sufficient for us to create your window in an accurate manner.
View these samples for a better look.
How do I measure my existing window, door, cabinet, etc. for the stained glass window or insert I will be purchasing?
When measuring a traditional square or rectangular window, please keep in mind that not all window frames are perfectly straight even when they appear be. It is necessary to measure the window frame from at least two different places from the horizontal & vertical positions, to check for variations in the measurements.
Odd-shaped windows (trapezoids, octagons, arched, etc.):
To make a custom-sized stained glass window we will need a paper template to ensure that the window will fit correctly when you receive it. To make a template, use a piece of cardboard, or even newspaper to get the accurate measurement for your odd-shaped window. Once again, please be sure to leave a 1/4″ gap on all each side of your opening.
Refer to the images below on how to measure:
How can a stained glass window adapt within my existing window sill?
Minimal Install Options:
Many people simply press the stained glass panel against their existing window and hold it in place by nailing quarter-round or molding around the perimeter of the stained glass window. In the series of grape window pictures below, the wood trim was painted white as a preference.
The wood trim will hold the stained glass in place, which in turn will give the appearance of a “full install”. Also, you can opt to simply use mirror clips to hold your window safely in place. By using either of these options, you will have the benefit of being able to take your stained glass out for reasons such as cleaning or relocating.
Hanging Stained Glass:
One of the most popular ways to display stained glass is to use it as a window hanging. All of our windows and sun-catcher come with hooks and can be hung easily. To hang the window or sun-catcher, simply secure the chains to the wall above the window of your choice.
Then suspend your stained glass art at the desired level in the window for a beautiful look that will bring a beautiful look to any room. You can add a further touch of elegance by having us add a decorative wood frame for a slight additional cost.
How much do you charge per square foot, on average?
We generally charge from $90 to $130 for each square foot of stained glass within your window. Windows that are less than 4 square feet will cost slightly more. Also, very intricate patterns and window with a lot of beveled glass will cost more and will be quoted on a job-by-job basis.
How do I receive a FAST QUOTE for my particular project?
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex, checks, and money orders. (Please email payments to [email protected])
Ask a Question
Feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll help answer any questions you may have