Popular in the Middle Ages, colored glass windows are still going strong today. Although often associated with churches, colored windows are also found in government buildings, schools, and private homes. If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s aesthetics, you might want to consider installing colored glass panels in some of your windows.
What Are Colored Glass Windows?
Colored glass windows have glass panels that have been stained either one color or multiple colors; this is why colored glass is sometimes called stained glass. Depending on what you want your windows to look like, colored glass windows can have a simple or complex design. In some cases, the panels are a solid color, like red or blue, but you can also find stained glass that has intricate representations of snowflakes, animals, mountain ranges, and more. Colored glass can be used in any window style to elevate your interior design.
The Evolution of Colored Windows
The earliest known stained-glass windows were created around 600 CE, during the Early Middle Ages. Within a few hundred years, they’d become extremely popular throughout Europe, often appearing in the most ornate churches and cathedrals. One of the most famous examples is in the renowned Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres in France, which boasted 143 stained glass windows, many of which still sit in the cathedral today.
Stained glass windows began to decline in popularity during the Early Modern Era but have made a comeback over the past 200 years. Today, there are many artisans who can fabricate amazing colored glass for windows. Plus, many window manufacturers fabricate colored glass panels in-house or through a vendor.
How Are Colored Windows Made?
The methods for making colored window glass have become more sophisticated over the years, but some of the same techniques still apply. Today, most stained glass is manufactured in one of the following three ways.
Co-extrusion
The co-extrusion process is remarkably similar to how colored glass was made in the Middle Ages: Artisans mix two or more colored materials into the liquid before it cools. It’s the most well-known way to make colored windows and is the same method used to make colored vinyl.
Lamination
A relatively new technique for making stained glass, lamination has become quite popular in recent years. It’s actually two layers of glass that are bonded together, with a colored interlayer in between them. Laminated colored glass is often just one solid color and can be used for windows, doors, and as cladding, which is the outer layer of a wall.
Coating
You can also make colored glass by simply applying a coating or coatings. In fact, many people who create stained glass as a hobby do so using stained glass paint, which is available at most hardware stores, arts-and-crafts stores, or online. Many types of tinted glass are made with coatings, for example, Low-E coatings create UV-resistant, energy-efficient windows.
Let’s Take a Look at Colored Glass Window Designs
When it comes to colored glass window designs, you’re only limited by your imagination. Do you want a glass panel depicting a group of different birds nestled at a birdbath? Done. Are you interested in images of trees with their fall colors fully ablaze? You got it. Or are you determined to re-create an all-American scene of a boy hooking a trout at the local fishing hole? No problem.
You can even eschew designs altogether and incorporate colored glass block windows – which are configurations of squares, either of the same color or different colors – into your space. In short, there are many ways to decorate windows with colored glass. Here are some of the most popular types of colored windows.
Rose Colored Glass Windows
One of the most prominent custom window colors used in glass windows, rose, complements any architectural style or interior design. And rose is a perfect year-round color: Roses bloom continuously for a long period of time – generally from spring to mid-autumn – and the color rose is considered a “winter color.”
Antique Colored Glass Windows
Highly prized for their historical value, antique colored glass windows are an aesthetic marvel. They can give your home an ornate look while increasing its curb appeal. Generally speaking, antique colored glass is any colored glass over 100 years old. It often resembles amber stained glass, but you can find antique colored glass that features just about any color. Depending on where you live, you might have trouble locating antique windows in your area; your best bet is to go online to find antique stores that have them in stock.
Etched Colored Glass Windows
Similar to frosted glass windows, etched colored glass windows boast an aesthetically pleasing look. The difference between the two is that etched glass typically features some kind of design. Because etched glass is not conducive to clear sight lines, it’s typically used in spaces that require privacy, like bathrooms and bedrooms.
Modern Colored Glass Windows
Thanks to modern technology, you can get almost any color and/or design in your colored glass windows, making it easy to find windows that fit your style and enhance your home’s aesthetics. Indeed, after decades of declining popularity, colored glass windows are starting to make a comeback. If you find colored glass windows that work for your home, you can be at the forefront of a home design revolution.
Consult the Color Experts at MI Windows and Doors
Colored glass is just one way to make your windows pop. At MI Windows and Doors, we offer a variety of tinted glass, as well as obscure glass, which comes in different textures and tints. Plus, you can choose from a wide selection of colored window frames, including everything from gray to bronze to forest green. Check out our selection of windows to find the color that’s perfect for your project.
