Stained Glass Window Film, Everthing you need to know

Stained glass window film is very convenient for decorating your home windows. The patterns and designs have made this popular for homeowners. If you’ve ever read a home decorating magazine then I’m sure you’ve come across the window film idea before. It’s a very convenient alternative to stained-glass windows and also more affordable.

Click here to see more stained glass window film.

Along with adding beauty to your home vinyl window film can help with the electrical bills and save you money. The light shines through providing your house with added brightness without the use of extra lighting. Although you can go in the opposite direction with privacy film or tinted window film which will lessen the harshness of the sunlight. This is helpful if you’re the type that would like a little more privacy but also allow in some sunlight. This decorative film will filter out 90% of the ultraviolet rays which in turn will keep you cooler during the summer and keep the harsh sunlight from ruining your furniture making the colors and patterns last longer than they would without any window film.

It’s a fairly easy process to buy home window film measure it and trim it to fit and cling to your windows. Since it’s vinyl you don’t have to mess with glue which leads to easy application of the film. You can apply this on any glass surfaces and even choose to just use the film as a border as a way to compliment the rest of your home. Doing little things like that can really go a long way.

There are plenty of rooms in the house to add window film to, the living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and even the bathroom shower. Yes, you can apply film to your glass shower and it will be able to withstand the heat, steam and moisture that will occur. It’s such a great way to spice up a room to make it a lot more interesting, warmer, inviting and add a little pizazz.

Stained glass film is a simple home decor idea that can make a big beautiful difference in any household. When it comes to decorating your home there are a lot of ideas out there ,but this definitely is one of the better ones. Your friends and family will be sure take notice of this decorative addition. It’s not like putting up new mini blinds or curtains this is noticeable and unique. Bringing with it a vibe or sense of aura as well as a touch of elegance.

There are different styles to choose from like frosted window film, privacy film, decorative film, artscape window film, etched film, opaque film just to name a few. It really all depends on what your style is and whatever your looking either way there is something out there for you.

This is a very cost-effective way and affordable way to customize the look of your house. It does have a sense of flair and it doesn’t require a lot of skills to install anybody can do it. Follow the step-by-step instructions below. All you need is some common household tools possibly of a friend or family member to help depending on the size of the window.

Tools to apply stained glass window film

• Window film of course
• A rubber squeegee
• A razor blade or utility knife
• A spray bottle filled with water
• A ruler or yardstick depending on window size or even a tape measure for
• A cloth
• Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo
• Transparent tape

Tip: Avoid applying your film during the hottest parts of the day due to the fact that your solution could possibly dry before you are done or could cause streaks.

How To Apply Stained Glass Window Film

The Easy 10 Step Process

1. The first thing you want to do is to measure the length of the Windows you plan on adding film to. You need to do this so you know how much film to purchase. You’ll want to add a little extra for some possible mistakes you might make or just to have some extra scraps.
2. Make sure your windows are clean and make sure not to clean them with a brand that contains vinegar or ammonia.  But if you have no other choice make sure not to clean the window right before you begin to your process this could cause some unwanted problems.
3. Mix in a teaspoon of your baby shampoo to your water bottle.
4. Using the measurements you got earlier, cut your film 1” wider and 1” longer than the window you plan to apply it to.
5. Spray the window with your water and baby shampoo solution, as well as your fingertips for better control of the film. Have plenty of your water solution sprayed on the window, it’s better to have more solution than not enough.
6. Now using your pieces of tape remove the backing of the film. Put the tape on each side of a corner and pull the tape tabs apart to separate it from it’s backing. Once exposed by an inch or so spray it with your solution. Large pieces will require your helper to spray the film while you peel the backing to keep from any errors.
7. Start from the top of the window work your way down when applying the window film.  Make sure the cut out piece of film is centered on the glass while you or your partner spray the solution. Don‘t forget, more solution is better than not enough. When the film is applied, use the squeegee to get out any of the bubbles to within 2" of the windows edge. Don’t forget to spray the films surface to make the use of the squeegee a lot smoother.
8. With your knife or razor blade positioned next to the edge of the window cut your film, but leave a 1/16” border.
9. Once you’ve trimmed the excess film off, re-spray the surface then proceed to squeegee any excess air bubbles through the 1/16” space you left when you trimmed your film.
10. Give it 30 minute to an hour to dry and it should be fairly permanent, but it will take around a week to be fully permanent.

Basically stained glass window film is manufactured to look like stained glass. It’s very reasonable alternative and sometimes a better one depending on your situation. It’s much simpler to install than having to install an actual stained glass window panel. Either way both stained glass window film and stained glass window panels will look great in any home.

Stained Glass Tools List

Stained glass tools are obviously a necessity in this craft and today they are fairly inexpensive. Here is just a brief overview of the stained glass tools that you’ll come across and need for your future projects. Some of these tool names are pretty self-explanatory while others are not, either way I‘ll do my best to help you get more familiar with the tools for making stained glass.

Glass Cutters
Glass cutters are used to score your piece of glass so that you can eventually break it along the relief lines. Their different brands and companies such as studio Pro-diamond tech, Toyo , Inland,  Silberschnitt, Aanraku Studios

Glass cutters and the different grips.

Pistol grip-Designed to be easy hold and reduce wrist fatigue.

Pencil grip-Designed to make you feel like you have more control over your scores.

Easy grip-Customize your cutters length to fit your hand size.

Custom grip-These will have adjustable grip handles and saddles to help relieve hand fatigue

Thomas grip-The barrel is topped with a saddle.

Super cutter
These can go without changing heads for up to 25 times longer.

Oil filed cutters vs. Carbide dry wheel cutters

Oil filled- These automatically lubricate the cutter while your scoring. It also helps prevent little glass shards from popping up at you. These should include an oil applicator.

Carbide dry wheel-For those who prefer cutting without oil, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t or won’t use oil you can always dip the cutter in some.

Ruler
I’m sure you familier with rulers you will use these to help make straight lines when you’re cutting your stained glass.  These are a little different than most regular rulers as it will have a corked back, this helps the ruler from sliding around the glass.

Glass Grinders
You need a glass grinder to give your stained glass projects that smooth edge or some nice curves. As far as brands go you got abrasive technology, diamond Tech, glastar, inland

Soldering Iron
Some brand companies include Weller, Inland, mika international, Hakko, Studio Diamond Tech.
Some soldering iron’s will have a built in temperature controller. Which eliminated the need for a rheostat. Some work good for both lead and foil work but others not so much.. Some will have a temperature control dial so you quickly change temperatures and they will probably feature insulated handles. You’ll want to get a decent one so you can get some smooth and even solder lines. There are some very handy ones that can handle intricate seams, good for repairing old solder work. Get one with easy tip changes and one were the tip will never freeze to the heating element.

Solder
This is basically a feasible metal alloy that you use to connect your pieces of stained glass. The companies I found were Canfield technologies, Mastercraft they’re all good for produces a smooth and clean bead.

60/40 solder
You have your 60/40 solder which is very useful for all skill lelevs. The 60/40 stand for 60% tin and 40% lead. This type of solder has a lower melting point than the 50/50 solder and produces a smooth and clean bead.

50/50 solder
The 50/50 Solder melts at a higher temperature and is half tin and half lead.

Lead free solder
Then there’s the lead free solder which is pretty self explanatory this is good for items that will be frequently touched or be around people and will work good for classrooms and workshops

Soldering Iron Stand
This will help you produce great solder lines and more importantly this will be used for your safety. You will definitely need one of these if you plan on soldering quite often. These stands can feature built-in temperature controls, sponges, a light, a magnifying glass and a coiled wire cage.

Instructional DVDs
Instructional DVDs might be one of the most essential tools you have simply because it can show you techniques patterns shortcuts and things of that nature to improve your skills.

Instructional Books
Instructional books and patterns books, these are just as essential as the DVDs. It’s always good to look back at these things to refresh your mind, take a break and maybe you’ll come up with something creative or give you incentive to try something new.

Grozer Pliers Breaker
These help you break apart the piece of glass that you just scored.

Running Pliers
I’m sure your already familiar with these companies Diamond Tech-studio Pro, Silberschnitt-Bohle, Glastar. Running pliers will help you with getting a clean break from the score on your class. All it takes is a little bit of pressure from the running pliers and you’ll get a nice break,

Copper Foil
You will use copper foil to make smooth and uniform solder bead. Some will be blacked lined others will be silver lined. There’s also scalloped copper foil which is basically a little more decorative. A few of the companies you shall see is venture tape and studio Pro

Width
5/32“-This is very thin when compared to most copper foils.

7/32”-This should be good for standard thickness class.

½”- This size is very durable and what you’ll want to use on thicker glass.

¼”-You might want to use this size for glass that is just a little thicker than your average piece of glass.

5/16”-This is something you use on thicker class

3/8“-This is good for textured class, oiling together sandwich pieces of glass and on the hinge side of boxes

3/16”-This size is just a little thinner than the standard copper fault tape.

Thickness

1mm- This thickness will be a little more easier to fold the edges down.

1.25mm- This is the standard size of copper foil right in the middle.

1.5mm-This size of thickness will prove to be very durable.

Flux
Usually a mix of zinc chloride, this is kind of a glue that helps your solder stick to your copper foil that holds a piece of class together.

Flux Brushes
Sounds pretty self-explanatory these are  brushes used to apply flux to your projects.

Flux Pen
This is a pen that tries to make it easier on you when applying flux.

Flux Remover
This is also self-explanatory this is used for removing flux.

Marking Pen
These are used to write and draw on glass and the markings will wash away with soap and water.

Safety Glasses
Safety glasses are worn to protect you from shards of glass or any other object that would hurt your eyes.

Well that’s a quick run down of the stained glass tools you need or will encounter in the stained glass craft. Their will no doubt be future posts on the tools and supplies you will need to create your art.