The Types of Stained Glass

Stained glass has been used for centuries to decorate churches and cathedrals. More recently it has also been used to create lampshades or formed into intricate works of art.

 

 

Stained glass is generally made in sheets that are then cut into pieces to be arranged into patterns by the artist. The glass pieces are traditionally held together using strips of lead solder. In order to get the different colors, thicknesses and textures required to make a mosaic, several different types of stained glass were developed.

 

 

Antique glass, sometimes also called cylinder glass, is named for the antique method used to create it and is one of the types of stained glass most commonly used in ancient times to make windows in churches.

 

Antique glass is formed by rolling molten glass into a ball then hand blowing it to create a long cylinder. The length of the cylinder determines the thickness of the glass. The cylinder is then cut into two lengthwise pieces and placed in an oven to flatten and anneal. Antique glass is usually very transparent. Lampwork beads uses this same concept.

 

Cathedral glass is poured while molten hot onto a table and rolled either by hand or by machine until it is a uniform thickness. Also known as table glass, cathedral glass was not actually used very often in cathedrals. Modern cathedral glass is frequently decorated by using engraved rollers that create patterns in the glass.

 

Flashed glass is one of the more interesting types of stained glass. Flashed glass consists of a base of clear glass that is then coated with a colored glass on one side. Heated until fused, the glass is then cooled and portions of the colored glass are removed to allow the clear glass to show through. An artist can draw figures, shapes or even more abstract images that will shine out brilliantly through the etched areas.

 

Beyond different ways to create stained glass are the various means used to infuse it with color and texture. Opalescent glass starts with a milky white base and is often used as is, but colors can be added during the manufacture of the glass to create light solid colors or swirls of light and dark. Streaky glass is created when two different colors of glass are mixed together and stirred to create streaks.

 

Textures on stained glass are employed for different reasons. Sometimes a texture is used on glass where a specific picture or pattern is not desired but the glass is simply intended to add beauty to the background of a room.

 

Sometimes glass is made to look like it has ripples similar to the surface of water for a tranquil effect. Yet another texture is called glue chipping, where glue is applied to one side of the glass and the glass is literally pulled away in tiny chips as the glue dries. Krinkled glass has a random pattern of etched lines which diffuse light.

 

With so many different types of stained glass, the possibilities for using this traditional medium to decorate practically any space are seemingly endless. Its ethereal beauty as it captures and manipulates light make it ideal for both traditional and contemporary design.