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It seems that all the stained glass panels I find online say for indoor use only. Could I hang a stained glass panel at the edge of a covered porch? The area gets wet only when it's very rainy and windy. Or could I at least hang it inside the porch from the ceiling? Would I need to do anything to protect it? I'm in an area that gets four seasons, including snowy winters.
There are 2 kinds of "stained glass" (construction). The "old way" uses only lead to hold the glass pieces in place. These tend to be delicate, but aren't sensitive to being wet/weather. The "modern" way uses adhesive foil that's stuck to the glass. The adhesive isn't particularly robust and will absolutely break down/fail with weather... I'd never put one of those outside where it could get wet.
Stained glass in windows/doors have been an "inside" panel, behind a solid sheet of glass, for most of the last century. If not originally, then certainly as a retrofit just because of the longevity provided.
Personally, I wouldn't hang any stained glass that was costly/important outside. I say that from a position of being able to make and repair whatever I want. I have made a few pieces out of scraps to be hung in the garden as a distraction for birds, they hold up for a few years before failing and needing to be re-made. OP, if you can keep it from getting wet, you'll have better luck with a little longer life but don't expect to have whatever item in 20 years (without having someone rebuild it).
There are 2 kinds of "stained glass" (construction). The "old way" uses only lead to hold the glass pieces in place. These tend to be delicate, but aren't sensitive to being wet/weather. The "modern" way uses adhesive foil that's stuck to the glass. The adhesive isn't particularly robust and will absolutely break down/fail with weather... I'd never put one of those outside where it could get wet.
Stained glass in windows/doors have been an "inside" panel, behind a solid sheet of glass, for most of the last century. If not originally, then certainly as a retrofit just because of the longevity provided.
Personally, I wouldn't hang any stained glass that was costly/important outside. I say that from a position of being able to make and repair whatever I want. I have made a few pieces out of scraps to be hung in the garden as a distraction for birds, they hold up for a few years before failing and needing to be re-made. OP, if you can keep it from getting wet, you'll have better luck with a little longer life but don't expect to have whatever item in 20 years (without having someone rebuild it).
Great info. Is it possible to find ones for sale now that are made the "old way"? Are they never made that way now or is it just less common?
Cathedrals form the 1400s exist with stained glass that's been exposed to the elements the whole time.
Never heard of anything other than the lead channels, soldered together (and stiffened with steel, iron, or brass members). Sounds like a case of cost reduction, or just a case of doing something new for the sake of doing something new.
I would bet that if you actually hire a stained glass artist rather than just buying something mass produced in China by the lowest bidder over the internet, they will use the traditional methods of construction. If you find such an artist, they also may well have pieces already made in their studio ready to purchase. I remember browsing through such a shop some years ago (killing time while waiting for an appointment, if I recall).
I would bet that if you actually hire a stained glass artist...... they will use the traditional methods of construction.
You'd be mostly wrong. Working with lead came is a PITA for any shape more complex than a straight line. I'm saying this as someone who's dabbled in doing stained glass for income after my mother managed a fairly good retirement income from the same.
Now, if someone Wants it done that way and is willing to pay the price (both in terms of acceptable design and simple labor costs), I don't know anyone who wouldn't be willing. It's kinda fun to go old-school, and it's easier to patina/make appear old (product called whiting powder). For longevity, it still needs to be supported (framed into a wall) and not hung. Even with bracing and in its own frame, sagging is a very real concern, usually in the form of a "belly" (slumping forward, of out 2 dimensions and into 3 dimensions).
OP, you can have anything made. Smaller than a sheet of paper will be more durable/long lived. Something with more straight lines and less curves will be easier/cheaper. If that seems too plain, you can have the glass Painted to add detail.
In old brick houses in St, Louis, bathroom windows used to be stained glass. They did not, to my knowledge, have outer, clear panes.
I actually own two matching stained glass windows which I assume were used in an old bathroom, or possibly flanking a fireplace. They are obviously old, and we have had them hanging indoors as long as we’ve had them. But they had to have been exposed to weather for years before being salvaged.
Two sheets of plexiglass, one on either side, problem solved. FWIW, there is also "fused" glass. A friend has a 16" x 20" panel of that hanging on her porch and it seems to be holding up fine.
I have a stained glass (lead cane) I made mounted outside on a privacy screen. I mounted in in a wood frame for stability, then attached it to the privacy screen.
Its been there for 6 years without any problems, in southern het and humidity, and freezing temps in winter.
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