THE BEAUTY OF STAINED GLASS

The captivating beauty of stained glass has enthralled and delighted visitors to churches and cathedrals for more than a thousand years. The colours and designs of the windows are positioned specifically to allow light to create illuminated decorations, encouraging the bright warmth and beauty of artistic display to richly enhance any interior space.

Stained glass is used specifically as a decorative display, but has the added advantage of adding brightness, interest and sometimes also privacy without the loss of light to a room.

The traditional methods are still utilized today, as the panels are often large and detailed, intricately joined by lead or copper. The vibrant colors are achieved through the addition of different metallic oxides to molten glass to achieve various colors such as copper oxide for ruby and cobalt for blue, whereas adding chromium and iron oxide produces green shades.

Along with the artistic skill necessary to generate the perfect design, engineering skills are needed to fit the window properly to resist the elements. This is particularly true of larger windows. The window must not only be strong and durable, able to withstand opening and closing as well as wind and rain, but the design and placement are constructed specifically to the unique shape and position of the inside of the building it will illuminate.

The colored pieces are arranged to form a pattern customised by hand for each client. The designs are handmade and the colours, patterns and arrangement of patterns vary from floral to pastoral and even sea-scenes.  Colors can be chosen to match the location – for example, blue in the bathroom – or they can be chosen purely based on personal taste and current fashion. Modern designs and techniques take inspiration from traditional methods, creating a fresh, contemporary versions.

Deep carved colored glass

One of the most popular ultramodern choices for the home is deep carved coloured glass which is made from one sheet of glass to allow better flexibility of patterns, color gradients and strength. Deep Carved Glass has carving on one side only, hand painted with enamel. It can be opaque or transparent, depending on the level of privacy required.

In the same way that each client is completely unique, every living space offers an opportunity to create something absolutely original and outstanding. The complex relationship between the physical building and the people who inhabit that space means that custom made piece is not a luxury but a necessity to maximise the natural display of light and color. The qualified specialists at Palace of Glass will assist you to make the best choice.

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