Design concepts for windows

• The glass or window

You probably know where you want to add an art glass window. That's why you are here. Is it for privacy or decoration? Do you want people to be able to see in? First, lets settle on a design.

• The design

You may have a solid design idea already. Or just a soft fuzzy outline. Either way, I have built this web site just for you. I have created several design gallery's for you to look at. This should give you a clear idea of what is possible. Keep in mind when you look at these gallery's that you are mainly looking for a design concept. If you decide that you would like to etch a giant tree on your window, we can now begin to find pictures and designs of trees that are more to your liking.

• The gallery's

The gallery's are made up of different designs in several concept areas. I will give you a brief description of the best way to use them.

Architectural design gallery

These are mostly abstract repeating patterns. Lines, shapes and design motifs.

Americana

These designs are a small selection of america.

Animals

These designs are for the animal lovers. It is not a complete list, but it could give you some ideas.

Birds

Birds of prey and some designs with birds that could be complete designs.

Birds 2

This is more along the lines of complete bird designs.

Borders

The in line designs can be used for the border design or as a motif. A repeating border pattern with these motifs can make a beautiful design. A center motif can be created from the design elements in the border. This ties the design together.

Borders-color

This is to give you an idea of border designs with color.

Center-backgrounds

This is a collection of designs that can be used as a complete window design. They can also be combined with a center piece.

Corners

Single corner designs that can be used to create a frame or border.

Frames

These designs are from the simple to the ornate. Complete borders or you can add a center piece

Frames-color

These designs can be etched or they can give you some ideas about the use of color.

Frames-oval

These designs where created for use with oval mirrors. They can be used on any shape of window to create a oval center. A center design could be added to complete the window.

People-angels

These are designs that that would make beautiful etchings. They could be used for center pieces or as a complete design.

The etching process

How should we etch the glass? How should we use the design?

Regular etch
I use the term regular etch when I etch the design only. The rest of the glass stays clear. This is when you are going for decoration. Most of the etched and decorated glass you see is regular etch.
Pattern glass etch
Pattern glass comes in a diverse range of patterns. Pattern glass can provide more privacy. Some of the patterns are very elegant. This could be used when a little more privacy is desired. A custom etched design will make the glass personal and unique. The sample shown is glue chip glass. The etching is on the same side as the glue chip. That is because it was a sample for shower door. You may not be able to tell from the photograph. It could be done this way on a window insert. [See installation] This would make cleaning the glass easier. For a pantry window I would put the pattern on the inside and the etching on the outside. Not all pattern glass can be etched on both sides.
Two sided etch
This is when a design or repeating pattern is etched on the back. It is used to block the view through the glass. This is best used when you want to only slightly obscure the view. It creates the look of a deeper or more 3-dimensional effect. The design is then etched on the front for the decoration. This is illustrated by the pantry etching.
Reverse etch
In a reverse etch pattern the design is left clear and the background is etched. This type of design works well when you don't want people to see in but you want to be able to see out. To see through the glass you must be very close so you can look through the clear spots. The farther away you get the harder it is to see in. This type of pattern and design work well in door-sidelights.
Carved glass
There are two kinds of carved glass. The first type is a simple two stage sandblast. The first stage is the design being deeply cut into the glass. The second stage is the rest of the glass being etched. The picture to the left is a simple two stage blast.
Complex carving
The second type is when each small piece of the pattern in carved one after the other. It takes careful planning to shape the design so it looks 3-dimensiona. The rose on the right was carved this way.
Shading
This could be my personal favorite. It allows glass to have a 3-dimensional look without blasting into the glass. This way tempered glass can be shaded. The picture to the left is a sample of a shaded design. If you will look at the flowers at the bottom you can see how shading makes them come alive. If you look at her arms, you can see the muscle tone. One of the things I like the most about shading is that it can be combined with regular etching. It can also be confined with carving. In the picture to the right I have combined carving,shading and regular etch. I think the only way to make it better is to add a little color.
Glue chip
Custom glue chipped glass is another option. Glue chipped glass can be used to create borders and backgrounds. Glue chipping glass by hand usually produces uneven characteristics. One of the coolest things about glue chipping is that you can repeat the process and get deeper results.