Posts Tagged ‘textured’

Man-made Glass: Making the Glass

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Although glass itself is a naturally occurring substance and has color variations as a result of impurities, man-made glass was probably first created accidentally as a result of the high temperatures used in making pottery. To make glass, silica and other materials are melted and fused together. Silica (sand) melts at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,650 degrees Celsius) requiring the use of a glasshouse pot or kiln [source: Valldeperez]. The formulations, or recipes, for stained glass can vary from artist to artist but always include silica and substances like boric acid, lime, caustic soda and potash to strengthen, stabilize and help the stained glass ingredients melt uniformly at a lower temperature than silica alone.

Color is added to the melted silica using ground metal oxides. Once these coloring agents have been added to the molten glass, or gob, it’s refired. The colored glass can then be manipulated in any number of different ways to achieve a specific result, like shaping or texturizing.

These manufacturing practices have changed over the last thousand years, been lost, rediscovered and refined. Although there are still closely kept secrets to the glassmaker’s art that each artist protects, there are some basic methods of creating glass that we should take a look at: Read more »

Stained Glass Windows | Choosing the right pattern and color for your home

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Choosing stained glass windows can be a challenging task simply because of the fact that there are so many different types to choose from. You will find that the following types of stained glass windows exist: Opalescent, Cathedral, Streaky, Textured, Translucent, and Wispy.

However, the glass types of Cathedral, Translucent, and Opalescent are actually the most common types that are chosen by many for their home and/or business.

In this helpful guide, they will introduce you to these common types so that if you are in the process of choosing stained glass windows, you may have a little knowledge on these particular selections.

Cathedral stained windows are extremely popular when it comes to homes, businesses, churches, and synagogues across the nation. This type of window has a glass that is actually transparent in nature and typically reflects at least one single color. There are many different color selections available when it comes to this type of window.

In addition to this, you will find that you can choose among many different types of textures for the glass. Examples of common textures include that of Artique, Glue Chip, Iridescent, and Seedy. This type of glass was originally introduced in cathedrals in the 10th century by the Europeans, which is how it got its name. Read more »