Stained Glass Window Covers

From LoveToKnow Interior Design

Stained glass window covers make a beautiful addition to any décor. There are few things more striking than the sunlight streaming through a colorful stained glass window, and these window covers add drama to any room. Many people dismiss the stained glass option for their window covers as too pricey to even consider, but you may be surprised to find that you can get these designs to suit any budget (and if you are particularly crafty, you can really cut costs by making them yourself).

About Stained Glass Window Coverings

Many people associate stained glass windows with churches, museums or other large, dramatic buildings rather than private homes, and this perception is true to a point. The stained glass you see in these kinds of buildings is different from the stained glass most people use in their homes. It is created piece by piece to order and can be extremely expensive to make and install (not to mention unwieldy). When talking about stained glass window covers, what we’re really talking about is single sheets of glass that have been carved and painted to create a design, rather than the later, puzzle piece type of stained glass. This kind of stained glass is significantly less expensive and easily adaptable to any home.

In terms of designs and colors for stained glass for home windows – where can your imagination take you? Some people opt for semi religious themes, like church stained glass windows, while some people opt for landscapes both realistic with mountains or ocean scenes and fanciful with rainbows or even holiday characters. Floral scenes are popular choices for stained glass windows as are the striking Charles Rennie Mackintosh art nouveau inspired designs that so beautifully decorate many windows in Scotland and beyond. Still other people look to the famed Tiffany stained glass lamp shades for inspiration for their windows. The point is that you can be the master of your stained glass window covering design. There is an enormous selection of pre-designed windows available, or you can have a window custom made to your design specs for very little extra cost.

When choosing your stained glass design, keep a few factors in mind:

The overall design style of your room. For instance, floral designs might look at home in English Country style rooms but a simpler design might be better suited for a Contemporary style room.

The colors used in your room. Look to the colors already in your furniture, your walls, your rugs, and so on, for inspiration for the colors to use in your windows.

Of course, you will also need to measure your windows carefully before you order any window coverings. If you’re not sure what to include in the measurement, consult the manufacturer.

DIY Stained Glass

There are two ways to approach do-it-yourself stained glass designs. You can either work with real glass, or you can take a beloved, cost cutting shortcut that doesn’t actually involve any glass at all. People swear by each technique, so the choice comes down which you feel most comfortable with:

Real Glass

To work with real glass, you will need colored glass, of course, glass cutters, a soldering gun and rubber cement. You need to first draw your design, then cut the glass to match, and piece the whole thing together. Depending on the complexity of your design, you may need other materials. You can find out more about making stained glass designs here.

Faking It

The faking method involves tracing your design onto contact paper, and then painting the paper and covering it with a coat of clear varnish. Again, the complexity of the design will determine the difficulty, and if you need extra materials. Learn more here.