HOW TO COMMISSION STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
Firstly, it’s not as difficult as you might be thinking. Like ordering anything bespoke you will have ideas great or small and there will be limitations, but it is our job to reduce those limitations to a minimum and create something stunning for you.
Below, we have created a step-by-step guide to preparing a commission for stained glass windows. I hope that it is clear and useful.
STEP 1 – Where is the window going to be situated?
If this is an internal window then it can be constructed in Dalle de Verre, Leaded glass or by the Tiffany method, as the weather does not need to be factored in.
If this is an external window, then Dalle de Verre and Leaded Stained Glass are both suitable as they are waterproof, but Tiffany windows will need to be set either inside a Double Glazed Unit or be set behind a sheet of window glass, as they are not!
So which construction style are you after?
STEP2 – What size are the windows going to be?
Initially we only need best-guess sizes, and if you are wanting us to visit before constructing, the sizes of your windows will be checked by us.
On the other hand, if you are going to supply precise sizes for us we need either the size of the frame or the size the panel has to be made to. These are different, as there will need to be a small gap around the window in the frame. Please make sure you know which you are giving us.
If you are having new frames made, we will also need to give you certain specific sizes for the frames before you have then made, especially if you going to want the stained glass set inside Double Glazed Units.
So let us have the sizes please, as this affects the cost.
STEP 3 – The design.
If you have a design brief for us to work to please be as explicit and detailed as possible.
If you are not sure yet what you’d like but have seen a design or window on a website, let us know which and we can use that for estimating.
If you really have no idea yet, one good source of inspiration is Google Images. Just type into the search box words describing your ideas and see what images pop up. If any appeal save them to your computer and send them to us with all the other details.
So, basically, we need an idea of the complexity of the design you want made to be able to estimate the costs.
STEP 4 – Colour.
Probably one of the most exciting parts of the whole process. Glass comes in a myriad of colours, textures and varieties from plain (Cathedral) to mixed (Wispy and Opalescent), textured-clear and machine-made to handmade. Does colour have an impact on price? It can do, likewise there is a difference between machine-made and handmade glasses. We have sample sets from a variety of manufacturers that can aid you in your selection.
So let us know if there are specific colours you’d like in your window.
STEP 5 – Budget.
If you have a set budget it makes sense to let us know so that we can understand how to create what you want at a price you wish to pay. We charge £80 per hour for the work we do on designing, making and fitting your windows, that’s less than having a BMW serviced!
STEP 6 - Where in the world are you?
As we have studios near Birmingham and Brighton we’d like to respond to your enquiry from the studio closest to you, so please let us have the full address or post code where the window is to be located.
STEP 7 - Send it to us.
You can either email the details to enquiries@simply-stained.co.uk or post them to Simply Stained Glass, The Drum Barn, Applesham Farm, Coombes Road, Coombes, West Sussex, BN15 0RP. You are also very welcome to visit the studio with details of your project. Just call us to make an appointment. If you are in the Midlands call Steve Edge on 07973 818875 or elsewhere in the world David Lilly on 07796 141180.
