Coloured, Stained and Bevelled Glass
To add further distinction, the double glazing market has tried to copy the art of ‘stained’ glass. Restricted by only being able to use full sheet glass, the industry has done a reasonable job. Each side of a double glazed unit can only be made from one piece of glass so that trapped air cannot escape. If you were to try and incorporate a piece of stained glass in it’s classic form air would soon leak from around the lead joints. Any enhancement has to be laid onto flat glass and this restricts what is possible.
Coloured Film
So, what is possible? The most common forms of adding colour to glass is coloured films. These are a peel and stick application and come in sheet form. Once laid, they can be bordered with 4mm lead and can give passing acceptance to a design.
Poured Stain
Another method is to pour coloured stain onto the glass. Computerised pouring machines can lay down lead border lines and then drop liquid stain into each section. When dried the completed work is very passable. Complicated designs are possible using this method.
Bevels
Clear plastic bevels can be used to add a further dimension to specific areas. These are applied using UV light and special clear UV glues. There are catalogues of designs available which makes the product a little specialised and not all companies will offer a bevel option. Bevels are more available as a door option in pre-made panel doors.
