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A Guide To Everything You Need To Know About Copper Stained Glass
Colorful glass artwork has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. People started piecing together pieces of glass to form stained glass as far back as the fourth century.
Over the years, glass makers have used different metals to form the seams of stained glass artwork. Copper is one of the materials most often associated with this technique.
Copper foil is a beautiful addition to a stained glass piece. And if you want to create your own stained glass, it's easier to do than using lead.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about copper stained glass.
Copper vs Lead: What's the Difference?
Copper foil and lead came are the most common ways to finish stained glass edges. Each metal gives a different look to the glass. And there are different ways of applying them.
Both methods involve soldering. And no matter what technique you're using, make sure that the glass pieces fit together tightly. The better the fit, the stronger the piece of art is when it's finished.
Lead comes in a thick channel called a came. The glass artist fits the came onto the edges of the glass. Then they solder the joints together, cementing them into place.
The copper application starts by wrapping the edge of each piece of glass with a strip of thin, copper foil. The foil is wrapped around the edge of the glass and the pieces are soldered together.
Lead came is a bit sturdier than copper foil, which makes it a good choice for large glass panels or big windows. But copper foil is easier to work with, which makes it a great option for beginners.
Plus, there's a different look and feel to copper versus lead. It's all a matter of preference.
How to Make Copper Stained Glass
The first step in the process of making copper stained glass is to cut and assemble your glass pieces. Make sure that the edges fit together and that there aren't any big gaps. Big gaps mean you'll have to use more solder and it won't be as strong.
Wash each glass piece in the solution and let them dry completely before moving forward. The copper foil has a strip protecting the adhesive on the back. Cut your foil to size, then peel back the strip.
Carefully press the foil onto the skinny edge of the glass. Make sure that the foil hangs over both sides.
Use a small wooden tool called a fid to press the foil into the edge. Then wrap the excess foil around the sides of the glass. Use the fid to press the foil down on all edges.
After you wrap all the pieces of glass, you're ready to solder. Assemble them again so you know which pieces go where. Then solder the joints for a nice, solid seal.
Clean the newly soldered glass to remove excess soldering material from the joints. Then apply wax or patina to the soldered joints. This gives the piece a beautiful, finished look.
A Beautiful Addition to Your Home
There are a ton of benefits to adding copper stained glass to your home. It's a great way to bring light and color into a room. And if you choose opaque glass, you can do so without sacrificing privacy.
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