20 Types of Stained Glass (with Photos)
One of the most appealing advantages of stained glass is its versatility. Not only can you personalize stained glass windows with the colors, designs, and artwork that you want, you can also choose from a wide variety of different types of glass to achieve the desired look. Stained glass can be categorized in a number of ways and there are hundreds, if not thousands of types of glass – in different textures and colors – that can be utilized in stained glass work.
However, all stained glass starts out being one of two basic types: cathedral glass or opalescent glass. The glass options expand from there, with many being variations of cathedral and opalescent, and others a combination of the two types in one single sheet. Each type of stained glass also comes in a wide array of colors, offering the ultimate customization.
When integrated in the proper manner, stained glass can be breathtaking. It’s subtle, but makes a statement, adding beauty to kitchens, bathroom windows, sidelights, and more. Not to mention, there are so many options to choose from. You can design your piece of stained glass down to the very last detail. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly used types of stained glass that are used to create the stunning masterpieces that we all know and love.
What is Art Glass?
Art glass is a decorative form of glass that, in some instances, is crafted by hand. Stained glass is the most popular type of art glass. Commonly referred to as leaded glass, stain glass comes inn large, colored sheets. Although the designs made using stained glass are artfully hand-crafted, the production may occur in a factory on an assembly line or be mouth-blown in a studio. The high price tag on stained glass has to do with the cost of materials and how much time it takes to create.
Whether it’s machine- or hand-made, colored glass is generally produced in small batches. The colors are created by mixing a variety of metal oxides, like cobalt and gold, into the raw material before melting. When fired, the color changes. For instance, gold will produce a bubblegum pink color when fired.
Variations of Antique Stained Glass
Antique stained glass comes in many variations, most of which can be categorized into two main groups: full antique and drawn antique (or semi-antique). Though there is another form of antique glass, known as scribed antique, that is considered simulated full antique.
1. Full Antique
Full antique, or “full mouth-blown antique,” refers to art glass that was produced using the historical mouth-blown cylinder method. This specific type of stained glass relies on the craftsmanship of a master glassblower. The process involves the glass being blown into a cylinder shape, which is then annealed and cooled. Next, the cylinder is scored lengthwise, separated, re-heated, and laid out into a flat sheet.
Characteristics of full antique stained glass include appealing linear striations, and small round (or oval) bubbles (called seeds). These seeds are one of the most important features of this glass. Antique glass can be incorporated into any stained glass piece. It forms gorgeous flowers, entire panels, and attractive backdrops. As you might expect, this is one of the most expensive types of stained glass available.
2. Drawn Antique
Drawn antique, also referred to as semi-antique, new antique, or machine antique, is a type of simulated full-antique. It is made without the traditional mouth-blown cylinder method, featuring textural striations that are applied to the glass mechanically. The quality of this glass is incredible, and it also costs less than a full antique.
It serves well for backgrounds and borders and can be used pretty much anywhere in a stained glass panel. Though, make sure that you cut drawn antique with the striations all going in the same direction.
3. Scribed Antique
Scribed antique is another type of simulated full antique glass, created under the trade name Artíque® by Spectrum Glass in 1996. The distinctive linear striations are created by scribing them into the hot glass surface – hence the name “scribed antique.” This type of glass is high-quality, considerably less expensive than full antique, and used in much of the same way as drawn antique.
Types of Stained Glass
Aside from antique stained glass, there are many different types, textures, styles, and colors of stained glass. Although, most stained glass starts out being either cathedral or opalescent. As you examine the examples below, you’ll come across variations of these two main types, and also some that combine the two into one single sheet of glass.
1. Cathedral Glass
Cathedral glass, or transparent glass, is a type of glass that you can see through. It usually comes in one single color and may have a texture on one side, or be completely smooth on both sides. In some cases, cathedral glass is streaked or swirled with another color of the same type of glass. This glass is named after the glass that was first used in 10th-century European cathedrals.
It is one of the most common and also simplest forms of stained glass, ideal for windows and doors since light easily passes through. The glass found in average house windows is typically considered “clear cathedral.”
2. Opalescent Glass
Opalescent glass, on the other hand, is an opaque type of glass with a milky appearance – meaning you cannot see through it. It comes in varying degrees of transparency, with some possessing a soft glow and others transmitting not light at all. Oftentimes, opalescent glass is constructed using one color or by swirling two or more colors together.
This type of glass is a popular choice for mosaic works and stained glass lamp shades. Like cathedral glass, opalescent glass comes in nearly every color imaginable. It may also have texture on one side and be streaked or swirled with several different colors of opalescent glass.
3. Beveled Glass
The distinguishing characteristic of beveled glass is its angled edges. Beveled glass is usually a clear, thick plate of glass with edges that were ground and polished to an angle other than 90 degrees. This creates a prism-like effect, as the light transmitted through the glass refracts.
Beveled glass comes in many shapes and sizes, in addition to sets or clusters. These clusters feature a design made entirely of bevels that can be integrated into any glass panel.
4. Baroque Glass
Made by Spectrum, this exclusive “reamy” glass is machine-made by combining glasses of mismatched compositions. When stirred together, the different glasses oppose each other, creating unique 3D swirls in the final product. Baroque glass is commonly made using light-colored cathedral glass or a combination of light cathedral glass as the background and darker opalescent glass. This type of stained glass can be used in virtually any design, especially when a special effect is desired. It makes lovely flowers, water, skies, and more.
5. Glue Chip Glass
Glue chip glass is characterized by its natural-looking textured pattern. The texture is formed on the surface of cold glass by applying animal hide glue then allowing it to dry under controlled humidity and temperatures. As the glue dries, it contracts and chips the glass, creating a natural, appealing pattern that looks similar to frost on a windowpane. Glue chip glass is used most often for background glass, but also works well for borders.
6. Iridescent Glass
Iridescent glass isn’t a surface texture, but rather a special surface finish that results in a metallic sheen that produces a rainbow effect. A layer of metallic oxide is applied to the hot surface of either cathedral or opalescent glass, which creates the illustrious shimmering effect as it bonds.
The effect varies based on the color of the glass that the finish is applied. Darker glass will create the most distinct rainbows, while a much subtler effect will occur on lighter colored glass. Find out how to paint a fiberglass door.
7. Crackle Glass
Crackle glass is made similar to antique glass, using the mouth-blown cylinder method. The hot cylinder of glass is submerged in liquid, which causes random, drastic fissures in the glass. Then, the cylinder is reheated and blown further to heal the surface fissures. What results is a surface that resembles the texture of alligator skin. Crackle glass is great for backgrounds and borders. Though, it’s expensive when compared to other stained glass alternatives that are machine-made.
8. Dichroic Glass
Dichroic glass is a type of stained glass that has been covered with one or more ultra-thin crystalline layers of transparent metal oxides. These oxides amplify reflections at distinct wavelengths of light, creating striking effects with a magnificent change of color as your turn your head when looking at it.
This glass is incredibly expensive and is often sold by square inch instead of the typical square foot. It is primarily used in jewelry making and fusing. Though, dichroic glass can also work nicely in small amounts throughout a panel with contemporary patterns. It gives just enough visual appeal to draw the viewer’s eye.
9. Drapery Glass
Drapery glass are sheets that consist of multiple distinct folds, appearing similar to the folds in drapes – hence the name. It is a specialty type of stained glass that isn’t usually used by hobbyists. The huge variation in thickness makes it difficult to cut. Drapery glass looks nice when used in contemporary designs and is often seen in church windows for flowing robes.
10. English Muffle Glass
Produced by the Wissman Glass Company, English Muffle was first made popular in Victorian windows. Though, nowadays, it has seen a resurgence in both contemporary and restoration stained glass pieces. English Muffle glass is known for its conventional muted hues, crystalline quality, and highly refractive surface texture.
The texture of this glass looks like a non-directional ripple, which allows for minimal waste. This glass is ideal for traditional and Victorian panels.
11. Fracture and Streamer Glass
Fracture and Streamer glass is one of the many types of glass made by the Bullseye Glass Company. It involves paper-thin (usually colored) glass chips or shards (fractures) and/or glass strings (streamers) arranged on the casting table prior to the glass being poured.
These fractures and streamers are then pressed into the final glass sheet as the glass is poured. This type of stained glass makes a wonderful background piece for a floral-themed panel.
12. Ring Mottle Glass
Ring Mottle glass is created from opalescent glass, where the rates of crystal growth have been controlled to yield ring-shaped spots of varying opacity. This technique creates visual surface mottling. Ring Mottle is a type of stained glass that isn’t used often, but has its moments. It is typically used for making lovely flowers and leaves, and looks great in stained glass lampshades.
13. Wispy Glass
Another innovation from Spectrum Glass Company, Wispy Glass is created by combining opalescent glass with thin wisps of white. The surface appears like lazy cloud trails. This type of stained glass works great for leaves, flowers, boxes, and clothing.
14. Granite Glass
Granite textured glass is typically only available in clear forms. It features a very heavy and random bumpy pattern on the surface that is somewhat similar to hammered glass. Though, the texture of granite glass tends to be more haphazard and intense.
As a result, the distortion and light diffusion is extreme with this type of stained glass. This heavily textured glass is commonly used wherever significant optical distortion is required, like in bathroom windows or shower doors.
15. Hammered Glass
Similar to granite glass, hammered glass features a surface texture that looks like hammered glass or copper. Made using cathedral glass, small, round, smooth bumps are applied to the surface to create the final product. Most often, hammered glass is used as a background glass when a heavy texture with substantial optical distortion is desired.
Like granite glass, this class is very often used in bathroom windows, shower doors, or other situations that require an enhanced level of privacy.
16. Rough Rolled Glass
Rough rolled is a very common surface texture used in stained glass. Most often performed on cathedral glass, it involves a very subtle texture that is added to the surface using a rough roller while the glass is still molten.
Smooth cathedral glass is typically considered one-dimensional since it has a slightly flat appearance to it. Whereas, rough rolled cathedral glass has a mild texture that gives stained glass more dimension and a slight distortion to the images displayed through the glass.
17. Seedy Glass
Another surface texture done on cathedral glass, seedy involves running bubbles inside of the glass. Typically use for background glass, small, air bubbles are visibly trapped in the glass.
18. Catspaw Glass
Catspaw is a type of surface texture that is created by chilling hot glass on a cool table. What results looks similar to a cat’s paw prints – hence the name “catspaw glass.” This glass is typically used as a feature in a stained glass panel, and rarely seen in an entire panel. Depending on the color mix you get, Catspaw works well for animals, flowers, grass, and the like.
How Much Does Stained Glass Cost?
The average cost to commission a custom stained glass piece is between $90 and $700 per square foot. This price may or may not include installation, depending on if the glass artist includes this in their rates. Most artisans charge for stained glass windows and panels by the square foot. Prices vary from artist to artist, but these are the standard factors that can influence how much you pay:
- The size of stained glass piece.
- Intricacy of the design.
- Material costs, which depend on texture, type, and color of the glass.
- Whether the artists fuses the glass pieces together or paints on the glass.
In regards to complexity, the least complex design will generally run $90 to $150 per square foot. Mid-tier designs that aren’t too simple or overly detailed range from $150 to $250 a square foot on average, while the most complex designs that require special techniques and glass are $250 and up per square foot.
Related Articles
Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design.
More by Jessica Stone
