Stained Glass for Your Windows

Stained glass windows are beautiful fixtures to any style of house whether Victorian or ultra modern. They add a certain charm and style that turns an ordinary dwelling into a unique one. What's the best part of having stained glass windows? They can fit right in with your regular ones and have the same attributes as standard double hung ones.

Stained glass windows aren't new by any means. The ancient Romans installed them in their seaside villas around Pompeii. Medieval Europe saw the rise of multi-colored windows in baronial homes. The height of the passion came a century ago during the Art Nouveau, English and American Arts and Crafts Movements. Talented artists such as William Morris and Louis Comfort Tiffany (of Tiffany lamp fame) melded colored glass together to form extraordinary art creations. The art was revived in the late Sixties and early Seventies when hippies created funky styles with glass shards and lead. Now stained glass windows are coming back with a whole new appreciation. People today realize how elegant stained glass looks gracing their front door's sidelights or adding dash to their sunrooms. Thanks to modern techniques homeowners can have these timeless additions installed in any room, from den to stairway to even bathroom.

There are a few issues to consider if you're thinking of putting in a stained glass window. The top one is non permanent or permanent. If you're on a budget you can buy window clings They are films that cling to the pane but can be peeled off and used again. Like real stained glass they come in a variety of colors, designs and styles. You can buy them for any size window or door. Most elaborate ones are priced from $25.00 for an Art Nouveau door design to $5.00 for a holiday themed side light sized one. They're easy to apply and can be put on windows within an hour.

If you're a purist then install the real deal. Stained glass is a great way of beautifying even the most ugly of houses. Most homeowners install panels consisting of beveled and frosted glass. These are usually seen flanking a front door or hiding a large bathroom. These are throwbacks to the Art Nouveau or Beaux Art period where frosted and beveled creations graced Paris townhouses . Beveled glass can also be used in French doors. Most Mc Mansions sport this opulent look as the doors grace a large patio or pool area. If you have a more traditional home like a true Victorian or an Arts and Craft style, then consider opaque glass ( a creamy milky look) with a fleur de lis in the center. People with Gaelic ancestry take this a step further and substitute the flower with an intricate Celtic knot. Modern houses, such as those square cement and plate glass boxes can have whole walls of multicolored panes. These can rock 21st Century designs such as blocks and oblongs,

Stained glass manufacturers can also cater to your tastes and passions. Music enthusiasts can enjoy windows dedicated to Elvis, John Lennon, Bob Marley and Keith Moon. Movie lovers can have stars like Al Pacino or Robert DiNiro as an integral part of their creations. Window designs can also reflect the homeowner's love of nature or of the sea. Country homes have had stained glass montages featuring deer and trees installed while ocean side villas sports designs featuring the beach, the ocean and every sea creature under the sun. Cheerful scenes such as sunrises and birds are popular. Also a company can work for you if you have a particular design in mind. Any stained glass window or panel is going to be expensive , running from $350 for a small beveled one to $800 for an elaborate Celtic knot panel (pricing varies depending upon the company). Keep in mind though that any stained glass window adds to the resale value of a home.

Another choice to make is about camming. Camming are the lines or channels that hold the panes together (as in your church's or synagogue's stained glass creations). You can opt for the traditional lead that Louis Comfort Tiffany used. These thin lines, even referred to as Tiffany camming, allows for more of the design to show through. You can choose lead which creates a thick heavy look, usually associated with Gothic or Medieval cathedrals. Lead camming works with family crests or bigger windows. The last option is brass; the heaviest and the most expensive of all three. It's a bit shinier and looks best with beveled glass.

Your last decision is framing. Since these are regular windows you can have the frames match your existing ones. You can get vinyl, wood or aluminum and all will have the same insulation factor. The panes are the same as your regular ones too. This means that they are energy efficient and will not cause any drafts or warm spots to occur in a room or hallway.

Even though it pays to have a professional create and install a stained glass window you can do it yourself. There are extensive kits or you can just gather up regular and gray caulking, clear silicone, a pattern and glass pieces. Kits range from $95 to $250 depending on the window design.This is an art and it does require patience and some skill. If you can do it, fine, if not leave it to the pros.

Stained glass windows are a unique addition. They can add charm, beauty and even sparkle to a home's interior and exterior. Consider installing one when you want your house to stand out.