7 Decorative Ideas For Stained Glass

Long ago, stained glass was strictly used in churches. Many individuals can remember sitting in a church marveling at the detail of the glass and wondering just how it happened. But, today, stained glass can be used in many different ways. In fact, you can add it to your décor to give your home or business an appeal like none other. How can you add stained glass to your home? Here are some ideas.

Idea 1: Windows! It makes great sense to add stained glass to your windows. When the light beams in, the room is filled with a wide range of colors and looks. And, you can use it in virtually any design that you would like. Add it to your front window for a unique and beautiful decorative feature in your home.

Idea 2: Doors. Many doors have that glass part of them that is hard to see through. This glass is there for security so that individuals can not see into the home. But, replacing it with stained glass will give you that same beauty but will provide a beautiful display on the front entrance to you home.

Idea 3: Mirrors. For those that have large sized mirrors within their home, including those that are placed on an entire wall, stained glass can be added on top of it to give an amazing effect.

Idea 4: Vases and Bowls. An interesting way to add a little color and light into your home is to use a vase that features stained glass. It provides hundreds of color options, styles galore and even more interesting things to talk about within your home. Decorative bowls for candy are also perfect here.

Idea 5: Your Coffee Table. When you have guests visit your home, do you allow them to see a dull and boring coffee table? Add a stained glass top to it and you’ll definitely have something to talk about.

Idea 6: Lamps and Lighting. One of the beauties of stained glass is the light that it allows through. The light is modified by the colors that you have selected and can add a beautiful tone to it. For a subtle or a dramatic look, look for stained glass lights.

Idea 7: Cabinet doors. A great way to add a décor element to a kitchen or to your television cabinet is for the doors to them to be made of stained glass. This will give you a beautiful look that is completely original. Use the colors that fit your needs and tastes, add more of those colors throughout the kitchen and get a beautiful look well worth the investment.

Adding stained glass to your home is the perfect way to spice things up. You choose the color scheme, the look and the design and you reap the rewards of beauty that is unlike anything else. And, when the sun shines on your stained glass, it will be nothing short of amazing.

Stain glass supplies and other ideas on how to work with stained glass is available athttp://www.stainedglasstogo.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Tobias

Decorate Your Home with Window Glass Film by Home Experts

Many home owners are not aware that they could easily decorate their houses using decorative window films. There are many types of window films that you can choose, but the most popular ones are the etched glass film and the stained glass films. As most films are now adhesive-free, installing them is a ease and you can easily peel them off if you do not like them.

All you need is just 15 minutes to see your ordinary glass being turned into something that looks as if it costs hundreds of dollars. There are also some films that can act as a mirror at the same time. Since decorative glass films are not affected by moisture and heat, they can be safely used within shower enclosure.

There are many types of decorative window films that are suitable to be used in shower or bathroom. Stained glass films beautify the bathroom while at the same time offer privacy. It also softly diffuse light that comes in, giving a very relaxing ambience. Stained glass films have many uses besides installing them on windows or glass doors. For example, they can also be used for glass candle votives or on clear glass lamp shades.

You can gather plenty of ideas and inspiration from your neighbourhood. You might notice that most of your neighbours will just install blinds and curtains to block out light. These are very monotonous and cut off light completely. You do not need to follow them.

Stained glass films are often used as decorative window films because it adds elegance and an air of grace to the room. However, you would not want to use it for all the windows. This depends very much on what type of window design you have and your budget. If you have a nine-pane window framed by wood, try installing them on every alternate panel.

There are many designs that you can choose from. If you do not like the stained glass look, then consider using etching glass film that makes your windows or doors to look like they are etched. When it comes to decorative window glass films, your imagination is the limit.

Installing window glass films in your home not only enhances its look, but there are many other benefits too. Window films helped to filter out UV ray and keep the heat out during the summer. During winter, it helps to keep the heat in the house. In either season, you will have lower electricity bill.

About the Author

There are many designs available for Decorative Window Glass Films. Note that not all window films are created equal, and you should be careful when choosing one from a reliable manufacturer.

Glass Window Films for the Homes by Home DIY Enthusiast

There are many benefits of installing glass window film in your house. They can reduce glare, filter UV ray, cut off heat, add privacy and decorate your windows. Glass window films stick to the glass window or glass door and are excellent choice for many home owners to solve many of problems in the homes.

Many of these vinyl glass films come in the form of adhesive-free based. These are easy to install and to remove at later dates when it comes to redecorating. Most of the times, the window films can be quickly and easily installed on a small pane window in less than 15 minutes. You can do it all by yourself as a DIY project.

Bigger pane windows are best handled in a team of two persons and even then, it can be easily installed in less than 30 minutes. The tools to install glass window films are minimum too, you will only need a scrapper to scrap any paint remains on the glass windows, a spray bottle, a squeegee and an utility knife.

First, you clean your window glass off any dirt, dust or paint residues using any normal window cleanser and scrapper. Spray the glass wet with soapy solution from the spray bottle. After removing the backing paper off the glass films, position them on the glass. Spray more soapy solution to the front of the window film and then use a squeegee to squeeze out all air bubbles and water from the film. Use a utility knife to trim off excess window films.

Glass window films are not limited to windows only. They can also be conveniently applied to glass doors. All types of glass doors can be applied with the window films. These include the sliding doors, the swing door, the storm doors and the side lookout. Installing the window films on glass door is similar to installing the window films on glass windows.

Home owners install glass window films for a number of reasons. Some of them install it for the purpose of adding privacy. For this function, the frosted glass films, the etched glass window films and the stained glass films are suitable. You can easily make your glass window opaque with opaque window glass films. There are also suitable to be installed on shower doors as they are both heat resistance and can withstand moisture.

Some other owners install glass window films to filter out UV ray and the heat. Most of the glass films are UV-rated and is able to keep heat out. They also help to reduce glare. This way, you do not need to turn up your air-conditioning on a hot day. They also help to minimise the use of a heater during winter as the films also help to keep heat in.

About the Author

There are many types and designs of glass window films for homes in the market. As long as you remain focused on the function that you hoped to achieve with the window films, you should be able to source for the suitable product in no time.

Article Source: http://GoArticles.com/

Privacy Window Glass Films by Home DIY

Are you looking for the cheapest way to add privacy to your house windows? Search no further, consider using privacy window glass films. You will find that they are not only economical and easy to install, they comes in many different patterns and designs. There is no easier solution than using window films.

Many home owners had installed blinds and curtains for the purpose of privacy. While these may work for the living rooms or the bedrooms, having blinds in a shower enclosure is messy. With time, mold may grow on the blinds and it is difficult to wash and maintain them. They also block out light and view.

With blinds and curtains, you cannot have lights and privacy at the same time. Once you have the blinds drawn, you would need to turn on the light. Your electricity bill will likely rise. Installing privacy window glass films on your bathroom window or shower doors help you solve this problem.

Consider using frosted window film on your shower door. You are not limited to just opaque film that totally block off your view. You can try the light frost version or some other designs such as the Eden Everleaf or other modern designs.

Once you start shopping for the most suitable product, you will be amazed at the wide varieties and choices available to you. Many of these products not only add the privacy that you need, they work perfectly well to help you decorate your home windows too. Consider using decorative window glass films instead.

Decorative window glass films come in many designs and patterns. The most popular ones are the stained glass films and the etched glass films. Basically, there are two types of window films, the adhesive-based and the adhesive-free ones.

We suggest that you choose the adhesive-free vinyl films. Installing glass films using adhesive-free films are easy. Most windows take less than fifteen minutes to install. For larger panel window, you may want to work in a team of two persons.

Installing films by yourself is a very satisfactory experience and is definitely cheaper compared to getting a group of professionals to install it for you. You can also choose designs that you want and buy them online, without the hassle of the installers visiting you or you visiting them.

When it comes to time to redecorate, simply peel off the films. You can keep them in storage or use it on some other windows. Most of these window films come with 5 year warrantee, but this varies among different merchandiser. Check them out carefully.

About the Author

The quickest and most convenient way to add privacy and decorate your house windows is using privacy window glass films and decorative window films. As they are adhesive-free, installing them is easy and can be done as a DIY project.

Article Source: http://GoArticles.com/

How To Clean Windows And Not Leave Streaks By Lee Harris

When cleaning windows it's not always what you see is what you get! Some window cleaning chemicals won't leave streaks right away but after a good drying period a dull film will start to appear. This usually occurs if the window cleaning solution has added chemicals that won't evaporate and are left as a residue on the glass. When purchasing a good window cleaning chemical or solution it is usually best to purchase products that are ammonia based. Ammonia based products will evaporate quickly and not leave any residue. Concentrated glass cleaners are great for use in climates where the temperature changes, especially if you are using them outdoors. A concentrated glass cleaner can be diluted with the correct amount of water for the amount of moisture in the air and the ambient temperature. Mix in more water for hot and dry climates and less water for cooler moist climates. By using this method you can really cut down on those window streaks.

Another good tool to use when cleaning windows is a window squeegee. Window squeegees don't leave lint and can quickly remove any cleaning solution from your glass. Window squeegees come in many sizes and styles. For residential window cleaning a disposable window squeegee is the way to go. Disposable window squeegees do a great job and are very economical. When the rubber squeegee blade starts to break down and disintegrate just throw it away, and purchase a new one. Professional window cleaners and janitorial personal are likely to use a professional window squeegee with a replaceable squeegee blade.

On these types of squeegees when the rubber blade starts to disintegrate you can just replace the rubber, retaining the original handle and channel. Professional window squeegee handles are made from many different materials such as stainless steel, plastic and brass. Brass will usually hold up better than other materials and won't rust. Window squeegees come in many sizes ranging from 12 inches to four feet. Some companies have tried to produce window squeegees over four feet but they are too hard to control and are too heavy for one person to use. Most professional window squeegees come in three sections, the squeegee handle, the squeegee channel, and the squeegee blade.

Window washers are great for cleaning stains on windows such as bugs, bird droppings, and tar. Window washers are basically a semi abrasive towel attached to a handle and shaped like a window squeegee. The pad or towel on a window washer is usually made from cotton enclosed in a nylon net. The nylon netting is made to quickly remove the toughest of stains.

Great cleaning tips and cleaning information by Lee Harris can be found athttp://www.monsterjanitorial.com. Lee Harris is an expert in the cleaning supplies and janitorial products industry and can answer all your questions about window squeegees. Our information is concise and will give anyone basic information about the right cleaning tool for any job. On our cleaning site we also have a cleaning forum where our users can assist each other with their own questions. A cleaning services directory is readly available for cleaning companies to advertise their site by the state in which they are located. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Harris

Give Your Home Character With a Stained Glass Window By Frank Sarntarpia

Stained glass windows have been around for centuries. Although the origins are forgotten, the practice of making them lives on today. Today, they are available in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes.

Stained glass windows are essentially many panels of colored glass held together by a network of lead. This is, at least traditionally how they are made. Nowadays, you can buy many different types, including replicated design of a traditional windows. Despite the higher cost, nothing can truly replicate the beauty of a traditional window.

Panel

A window panel is an excellent addition to your home. You could use a panel in an entry door to create a focal point in your entry. It would also be great to use in a bathroom. It can give privacy and beauty to your bathroom area.

Installing

Unless you have experience installing windows, you will probably want to hire a professional to install your new window panel. It's extremely important that it is installed properly to avoid having a drafty or broken glass. If you do decide to install your own panel, installation is very similar to installing a standard window. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

Window film

Window film is an excellent alternative to traditional glass windows. Simply apply the glass film to an existing window to create an interesting alternative. It will also help block the glaring light and can come with UV coating. With so many colors and styles to choose from, it will be a unique addition to your home that everyone will admire.

Typically, it is very simply a clingy film that adheres to your window through static electricity. Follow the instructions and you will be well on your way enjoying your new view in minutes!

Find more info on installing windows and home remodeling at home-remodeling4u.com - a comprehensive resource for improving your home. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Sarntarpia

Photographing Our Beautiful Stained Glass Windows By Suzanne Vandegrift

Very few things can surpass the beauty of a steepled church with beautiful stained glass windows. Taking pictures of these beautiful treasures used to be left only to the professional photographers. Some of these pros have shared their experience by giving tips on how to successfully photograph stained glass. That, combined with the advancement in technology that has giving us cameras with user-friendly features, photographic enthusiasts, even the beginner, can go out with a camera bag and some minimal equipment and take some great pictures of these glass beauties.

The first very important thing to remember is in regards to your camera flash. If you plan on taking your pictures from inside the church, especially on a bright, sunny day, it will appear very dark when you first enter. Your eyes will adjust pretty quickly, but film doesn't. Your camera will see the need for a slow shutter speed or the flash will fire. And, you never want to use a flash when photographing these windows. It will not only cause intense reflection, but it will greatly reduce the beautiful fire in the colors of your subject and cause them to loose their luster. Remember, if your camera has a built-in flash that is going to turn on automatically, turn it off before entering the church. Slightly overcast days are ideal for photographing stained glass. It let's the light in without too much intense brightness.

You can display the wonderful pictures of your stained glass windows in many different ways. They can be framed and put in a grouping on your wall. You can develop a beautiful book of all the different shots to be placed on your coffee table. These stained glass window images would also make beautiful greeting cards. All you need is a card stock of your choice, plain or a pattern to compliment the stained glass window image you'll be using, and you can make a one-of-a kind, gorgeous card to send to family and friends. Remember to get information about each stained glass window you shoot so you can include a footnote about the window in all of your displays or cards.

Because cameras are so technically advanced in exposure metering, low-light photography is not the problem it used to be. And the need for bracketing, taking several shots at different exposures to ensure a good one, is almost never necessary. And, many beginners use a digital point-and-shoot which allows them to immediately see if the picture is a keeper. Taking several shots to get them at different angles and views is still a good idea, since it will give you more images from which to choose. All of this makes photographing stained glass fun and relatively easy.

Stained glass windows come in all sizes, from the huge to the very small. Fill the frame with just the window if you can get close enough and/or the window is large enough. Set you zoom lens at the wider angle if your camera has that capability. If it's a small window that's far away, and your camera has spot-metering exposure mode, use it to get a good shot. If you are photographing a very large window that is in sections, photograph each section and when you display the images, place them together showing each piece as it is sequenced in the actual window. This will make for a very interesting display

Churches and cathedrals are the first structures that come to mind when thinking of stained glass windows. These windows are, however, found in many other locations. Restaurants, private homes, Bed and Breakfasts to name a few. One incredibly gorgeous building that falls in this category is the Wedding Cake Mansion located in historic Savannah, Georgia. This mansion is aptly named. Its stained glass windows are set in a white bay window decorated by ornate iron work. It's cherished by Savannah residents who have long agreed it favors a beautifully decorated wedding cake. If you get to Savannah, don't miss the opportunity to take your camera bag over to the Wedding Cake Mansion and photograph a unique structure, including their beautiful windows.

Before heading out to start your quest for the best stained glass photographs you can take, make sure your camera bag is complete with all the accessories you may need. Extra film or memory cards, extra batteries, extra lenses, and by all means a tripod. Any camera shake will cause picture distortion of those beautiful glass treasures. A user-friendly camera bag with top-loading features that you can easily use in a dimly lit church would be a good choice. One that has a lens cradle for your delicate lens and several pockets to hold all the accessories separately and safely.

Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article for M-ROCK.COM, manufacturer of exceptional quality camera bags, with user-friendly features. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Vandegrift