Stained-glass windows are fashionable again. This remarkable accent will give to any interior unique highlight. Professional stained-glass windows will cost pretty penny, but there is row the technician which allow to make stained-glass window in house conditions with own hands. Alas, beginners should be content only with imitations of stained glass, but it does not mean that you will not be able to create the unique work of art.
Three "whales" allowing to make good stained-glass window: eye estimation, accuracy, confidence. If one mistake or error is noticed not by everyone, then two-three will already give to product untidy look, and even will spoil all work. For this reason it is worth being trained on small compositions and only then to undertake implementation of large-scale projects.
Sketch + scissors
Production of any stained-glass window begins not even not with selection of materials, ideal for work, and with creation of the step-by-step sketch in duplicate. For acceleration and simplification of work, the sketch can be created on the computer, and then to unpack. But, alas, the big panel will demand creation of the sketch in the manual mode. To receive two identical copies, it is necessary to use the blueprint machine. No, it not the difficult device which it is necessary to lease, and rather simple adaptation. It can be built in two ways. To attach the first copy of the sketch to glass during daylight hours, to attach the second sheet, to record it and by means of pencil to transfer the image to white paper. If the area of window does not allow, then the sheet of glass is put on normal kitchen stools, on floor the desk lamp is put, and its light goes up, that is to glass. The sketch, from above blank sheet is put on glass and the drawing is translated.
General councils
- It is important to remember that assembly of stained-glass window always has to become according to the first sketch, and its second copy is used as template for production of elements. It becomes for minimizing of risk of disagreements and adjustment of fragments.
- If you strongly intend to make stained glass masterpiece, then in advance buy sample scissors with three edges (the first two cut the sketch, and the third cuts off strip slightly less than two centimeters wide).
- Before starting cutting of the sketch, it is better to paste it on thin dense cardboard that further it was easier to circle contour according to soft paper.
- When you begin to glue, do not forget that paper, sodden from glue, will last a little.
- Do not forget to verify template according to the main (first) sketch.
- To facilitate a little work, especially if the stained-glass window assumes large number of small parts, it is better to number all fragments of cloth on both sketches to cutting stage.
Glass stained-glass window
Glass stained-glass window – the classics recognized and checked for centuries. It consists of dozens of multi-colored glasses which can be transparent, dairy and opaque. Dairy fragments of glass are opaque, and are simply painted in any color. Opaque artificially "shershavit" on the one hand. Each part of stained-glass window – smalt – is framed with lead, brass, tin or copper profile in the form of letter P. At production of glass stained-glass window each smalt accurately gives all the best on primary sketch, and then soldering of seams is made. The cloth looks as cover of fragments. For increase in durability it is made out brass corners, creating frame, and solder on contour. The full-fledged picture which is inserted into aperture turns out and establish behind illumination. The second not less widespread option – installation of such stained-glass window in window frame. Shortcomings of classical stained-glass windows are the labor input of production and fragility.
Film stained-glass window
The film stained-glass window is imitation of classical stained-glass window. From transparent, opal or milk glass apply the drawing between which fragments do borders on basis. Instead of smalts use self-adhesive film. It can make such stained-glass window even to the beginner, only a little accuracy and assiduity is necessary. Success secret – pretreatment has flown down alcohol for degreasing of surface. It is possible to use 1 teaspoon of means for washing of ware divorced in glass of water instead of alcohol. After such processing surely glass should be washed with the distilled water.
If at production of film stained-glass window it was not succeeded to get rid completely of air bubbles, then they can be punctured with needle and to iron accurately. Already in a day - two you also will not find where there were bubbles earlier.
Modern self-adhesive films are beautiful, durable. From far away the stained-glass window looks effectively, but close at once it is visible that it is only imitation. Besides, such stained-glass window is beautiful only on the one hand. Because of it film stained-glass windows most often make out ceiling windows. Still quite recently stained-glass windows on ceilings risked to do the few. The broken glass can do harm to life and human health, accidentally appeared in the room. However, for ceiling stained-glass windows the acrylic basis is actively used recently. Acrylic plastic has thickness only 1 mm, it easy and extremely strong, over the years practically does not sag and if suddenly falls out of frame, will quietly fall to floor in the room, without having damaged anything. The film is perfectly linked to acrylic, strongly keeps. Lack of material – its cost. It much more expensive normal glass.
Jellied stained-glass window
From face side it is difficult to distinguish jellied stained-glass window from classical, but the reverse at once reveals any and all secrets. Such compositions look very effectively, but their production will demand wide experience and patience. That it has turned out really beautifully, it is necessary to provide the smooth or impressive reflecting surface under the glass basis, then light beams will pass through cloth twice. For this reason the jellied stained-glass windows often carry out on mirror. Correctly filled in paint forms meniscus, and rays of light pass directly and are reflected from mirror film. Their different curvature because of such refraction gives variety of length of light beams, and therefore the stained-glass window literally plays all colors of the rainbow. Borders in jellied stained-glass windows usually do dark color, but with effect metallic. Similar stained-glass windows where basis are acrylic mirrors with additional tantalniobiyevy substrate are considered as the most expensive.
Tiffany stained-glass window
It is already full-fledged stained-glass window collected from dozens of glass smalts. It differs from classical glass stained-glass window only in the fact that the cover is created by foliya – the metal soldered foil, but not cast or shod fillets. In peak of blossoming of stained glass art, that is in the Middle Ages, foliya Tiffany stained-glass windows was not able to be done yet. Rather strong, if necessary them decorate even oar or French windows and also doors. One more advantage of such compositions is opportunity to fill curvilinear and volume designs.
Facet stained-glass window
Such stained-glass windows are especially popular now with wealthy people who do not hide the prosperity. The facet is the polished facet on 6-millimeter glass plate. The facet is usually rather wide, and the corner of facet depends on optical properties of glass. Exact mathematical calculation of the master will allow to create so-called diamond edge, guaranteeing the maximum light refraction. Facet stained-glass windows can be:
- painted;
- colourless;
- transparent;
- potash (from light glass with small index of refraction);
- lead (from heavy glass with high rate of refraction).
Kroflintovy facets – combination potash and lead are the most expensive.
Facet smalts gather separately as have big weight. Individual aluminum shapes are for this purpose used. Unfortunately, production of facet stained-glass window perhaps only in industrial conditions.
Fyyuzingovy stained-glass window
Such stained-glass window is made of smalts which warm previously up to 300-1200 degrees (softening temperature depends on glass type) and spread according to the sketch on heat-resistant surface, then rolled. The Fyyuzingovy stained-glass window is soft junction of flowers which is unattainable in other technicians. Fusion stained-glass windows of the big size cost very much.
2 ways of creation of stained-glass window the hands
The majority of stained-glass windows which you can make houses are imitation, but they are original, unique, and their creation – the most fascinating occupation. To create good both film, and colourful stained-glass window, it is necessary to know about subtleties of imitation of cover border.
Borders it is possible to produce by three methods:
- lead adhesive tape;
- soft wire;
- planimetric paste.
The lead adhesive tape represents the film 1/8 inch wide made of lead foil, the gluing layer and protective film. The roll is accurately unwound, spread according to borders of fragments on the sketch, cut off. Then it is necessary to remove protective film, to impose on cloth and to press down. During creation of film stained-glass window work with lead adhesive tape – one of completion phases, during creation of aspics – one of initial.
The soft wire is curved on contour and pasted by crockery PVA (there has to be the corresponding marking on the label). Such borders in jellied stained-glass windows become before work with paint, in film – upon completion of the calculation of the drawing. The wire can be used specialized copper, but also the normal enameled wire which is easy for finding in shops of radio components can be suitable for work. For creation of special effect the wire can be processed slightly abrasive paper.
Planimetric paste is special mix of the PVA crockery glue (50 ml), black ink (25 ml) and silver steel (35 ml). At first it is necessary to mix glue and ink, and then gradually to add silver steel (aluminum powder), mix, on consistence will not turn out similar to sour cream yet. If necessary silver steel can be replaced with bronze powder. Planimetric paste is applied right after preparation with thin brush, trying to obtain that she has laid down uniform border on all contours. It is better for beginners to use the small confectionery syringe.
1 way of creation of simple stained-glass window
Imitation of jellied stained-glass window assumes consecutive performance of number of operations.
- Work site arrangement. Fit equal board white soft fabric (coarse calico, flannel, baize, felt), put on it primary numbered cliche.
- Degrease glass on which it is going to make stained-glass window, put it on the sketch.
- Issue contour any in the way, convenient for you. It is more convenient to work from the upper left edge of cloth. Leave contour to dry up approximately for day.
- Start filling by paint. With cells, nearby and demanding filling in one color, work in turn, waiting when next dry. If paint has leaked on the next fragment, accurately remove it edge.
- After completion of filling leave glass to be dried for day two.
It is the most convenient to fill in paint with the syringe, without concerning border. She will spread on glass. If paint too liquid, then it is possible to repeat filling when the first layer completely dries. Colors for stained-glass window can be made independently (it is easy to find recipes of at least four checked structures in the Internet). Now on sale in shops of materials for needlework or in outlets of goods for artists, remarkable stained glass paints of various flowers are on sale.
2 way of creation of simple stained-glass window
The second way of imitation of stained-glass window – use of film. The film and is called stained glass, it is rather easy to find it in sale. The second sketch is cut on fragments which in turn become templates. It is necessary to cut out separate parts from film and to consistently lay out them on degreased glass. Then from each fragment it is necessary to remove protective film and to paste it on the right place. Registration of contour in the way convenient to you will become completion phase of work.