When you hear the term, “custom made” don’t you immediately imagine a high quality product, made with the utmost care to your particular specifications? That is exactly what makes our stained glass windows different than much of the stained glass out there today. Once upon a time all stained glass was custom made, as there simply was no technology to mass produce anything. It was considered a fine art just as much as a painting or sculpture.

When you hear the word “art” you certainly don’t think of something that’s been mass produced. But much of today’s stained glass is mass produced, which greatly detracts from its uniqueness and value.

How Scottish Stained Glass is Different

Our founder Martin Faith comes from Scotland’s long tradition of stained glass artists. Although Scottish Stained Glass is a business, it is in the business of making art that is both beautiful and practical. For this reason, we use only the highest quality materials, each of our clients works individually with one of our designers, and every single piece of stained glass we make is still hand crafted by a highly trained artisan. Our designers and builders work together as a team, to ensure the design you decided upon is created exactly as you wanted it, and is as beautiful as you imagined it.

All of our glass is sourced from the best, top of the line product available worldwide. Because we order the finest glass we can find to suit each project, sometimes our work takes longer to complete than that of our competitors. However, we doubt our clients would want us to compromise on quality for their homes. Did you know that our selection of glass includes over 600 colors you can choose from? And if you don’t want any color at all, we also offer a wide variety of textures and degrees of transparency. In this way, we can create exactly what you are looking for.

Adding value and beauty to your home with some Scottish Stained Glass windows or doors is the perfect, inspiring antidote to this mass produced era we live in, where every home on the block looks the same and every mall has the same shops carrying the same goods and the same styles.

Our company has manufactured over 40,000 leaded and colored windows, and our artisans are the best ever assembled by any studio.

Give your home, office or retail space the individual beauty of fine art, custom made exactly for you and your tastes, with Scottish Stained Glass. To date, we have designed, built and installed over 40,000 leaded and colored windows, and can proudly say that we believe our specially trained and highly experienced stained glass artists are the finest in the nation. Why not contact us today for a free, in-home consultation with one of our stained glass pros? We look forward to collaborating with you.

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that one of our favorite styles of stained glass windows incorporates Celtic designs. After all, we are Scottish Stained Glass, and the history of the Celtic people is a large part of our history as well.

The story of the ancient Celts can be traced back for more than twenty-five centuries and although they are usually associated with Scotland or Ireland, at one time they lived throughout much of Europe! For a fascinating view of Celtic history, check out the webpage Celtic Europe:

But what does any of that have to do with stained glass windows? Well, one of the things this ancient culture was known for was their artwork, which was rich in symbolism. This same artwork has been the inspiration for many gorgeous stained glass masterpieces throughout the centuries.

The Celts didn’t do literal work like the religious art seen in many European churches. Rather, their work was figurative, indicating their beliefs on the nature of life and the relationship between life and death through patterns. Spirals, triskeles, step patterns, and key patterns are dominant motifs in Celtic art, as is “plait work” or woven, unbroken infinity patterns. But the most famous Celtic designs are probably the Celtic Cross and the Celtic Knot.

By the way, according to the Free Dictionary a triskele, or triskelion, is an ancient symbol consisting of three curved lines, three tree branches or three bent limbs radiating from a center.

Our stained glass windows are always custom made, so you can choose from a wide variety of existing styles and patterns, or design your own. If you, like us, are enamored of the beautiful and intricate Celtic designs, please take a run through our online Celtic gallery.  It contains photos of some of the Celtic stained glass we’ve done for clients throughout our twenty years in business.

We believe that Celtic stained glass designs are classic and can go with almost any decor. They look neither old fashioned nor modern, but simply express a lovely, timeless elegance. We can make them using clear or textured beveled glass, for any areas where you might want more privacy such as your entryway or even a bathroom window.

Or we can incorporate any amount of color, whether rich jewel tones or earthy neutrals to match your taste and your décor. Our designers are all well versed in the Celtic style, having created hundreds of panels, windows and doors in that style over the past twenty years.

Contact us for a free in-home consultation. If you haven’t already decided that Celtic style stained glass is right for you, you’ll be shown a wide array of other styles to choose from as well. And because each of our stained glass panels is custom designed and hand built, we can make any original stained glass idea you have come to life as well.

By Patricia Stroud, Scottish Stained Glass Designer

As a designer, one of the most requested locations for a prized Scottish Stained Glass window is the bathroom. This may strike some as usual because stained glass is usually something to show off in the public areas of the home and make the Joneses a little envious. So why hide these treasures away in the bathroom? The answer may be more obvious than you think.

Stained glass can do more than just add style; it can also provide excellent privacy!  If you have large windows in a bathroom, or just windows with easy visibility, privacy may have become a problem. Homeowners often take back their privacy in these areas with blinds or curtains to cover a window. This eliminates the use of sunlight, and often creates the feeling of a closed off, dark space.  Instead, consider stained glass to give you the best of both worlds by blocking vision but not natural light.

What Makes a Stained Glass Window Private?

There are three factors by which to achieve privacy with stained glass window additions to a bathroom.  First, forget all color that is typically associated with stained glass windows and let’s focus on texture. Even colorless glass can block vision through any window.  We can achieve these dramatic results though selecting a colorless glass that features a heavy texture.

Scottish Stained Glass stocks a large variety of textures including our most popular types; waterglass, granite, hammered, vecchio, gluechip, corded, seedy and rough rolled. Each ranks somewhere on our 1-10 privacy scale to give our clients the precise distortion level needed to put their minds as ease, especially while taking a long bubbly soak in that garden tub.

Now let’s talk about colors. Many of our clients request stained glass windows precisely for the color that they add to the room. Colored glass sparkling in the sunlight may be one of the most beautiful sights in the world, but don’t just take my opinion- ask one of the millions of people attending places of worship around the world that feature stained glass windows. Colors are where stained glass windows come to life.

Lastly, there is opacity, which is how clear your glass is. Some colored glass is the faintest tint resembling something to a soft watercolor painting. Gazing through a translucent window of this gentle nature can actually have you looking at the world through rose colored glass(es). At the other end of the spectrum we have opaque colored glass which is a pure shock of color that is completely unable to see past. While difficult for natural light to illuminate past, opaque colored glass provides complete privacy for those who need extreme measures.  There are those many levels in between that can feature translucent tints with colored swirls allowing light to pass, but providing enough of a pattern to limit visibility.

Bathroom Stained Glass with Scottish

With so many options, and many different levels of privacy, you’ll be able to create a work of art while adding much needed privacy to any bathroom in your home.  You’ll work with an experienced designer, like myself, to select the best glass choices and design for your home.  Give us a call today to learn more, and to get started on your bathroom stained glass!

By Megan O’Brien, Scottish Stained Glass Designer

As a designer for Scottish Stained Glass, I have the opportunity to work with clients for unique pieces all the time. Not everyone thinks of designing and purchasing a stained glass window as an anniversary gift, but I have recently been working with a client who has done just that. This particular client wants to celebrate their marriage by having a stained glass window made with their personalized wedding logo in it, which he also designed.

Our Process for Stained Glass Gifts

This stained glass panel is going to be installed into an antique door that they have refinished to use in their front entryway. Their monogram is of two bees meeting to form a heart with their antennae; however, his design style is very contemporary. He mentioned that he does not like curved cuts or diagonal lines.

With organic shapes such as bees being incorporated into a window, we had to create a background design for the stained glass that both contrasted but complimented them as a focal point. I worked directly with the client throughout the process to ensure that the design on his window fit with his style, and the look he wanted for his home.

The final result for the stained glass background was inspired by Piet Mondrian, one of the client’s favorite artists. To somewhat of my surprise, the simple, linear background surrounding the detailed and organic bees created an interesting composition. The bees really popped out in the design against the rest of the stained glass, creating a dominant and attention-grabbing point of interest.

I find that working on stained glass windows that are truly customized for an individual and their home creates unusual challenges, but also makes the project more exciting and rewarding. During the design process he mentioned how meaningful it will be to walk through this door every day to be reminded of their marriage and commitment to one another, making something as simple as coming home more significant.

Personalized Stained Glass with Scottish

So, for anyone out there looking for a meaningful anniversary gift, or really a gift for any occasion, I would highly recommend a custom piece of stained glass. It is both functional (as it can create privacy and filter light) and a unique piece of art. You can customize your stained glass window with a family crest or monogram and incorporate symbols which have personal meaning to you.

Whatever the design you decide to go with, it will also last you a lifetime. To learn more about getting stained glass in your home, and giving it as a gift, feel free to give us a call or send an email today and get started immediately.

Over the past decade at Scottish Stained Glass we have been working to restore hundreds of salvaged antique windows from all across Scotland.  These windows have come from both homes and churches and embody traditional, authentic stained glass at its beginning.  With historically beautiful designs including Mackintosh roses, these pieces are an incredible addition to any home.

Antique Stained Glass Mackintosh Roses

Some of our most popular designs in our antique collection are those that incorporate a Mackintosh style rose, like the photo you see here.  Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish architect and designer who frequently designed stained glass windows to fit into his building designs.

In his stained glass work, he is most well-known for his roses.  They are usually small with a round border and a combination of lead lines and different shades of colors are used to emphasize different layers of a rose.  This design has always been well-loved in Scotland, and many of our antique pieces have a Mackintosh style rose in the design.

Angels in Antique Stained Glass

Angels are another common design that we found in many of our restored antique pieces.  As you can see from the window we have posted here, the angels are often an abstract design.  This particular window features a curved lead line just above the head that represents a halo, and feather-like green and yellow wings.

Traditional styles like angels usually feature many curved lines and colors to complete the look.  We also have numerous antique pieces that reflect the Art Nouveau style by using floral designs and rich curvature throughout.  No matter what styles you love when it comes to stained glass, our antique pieces offer a high level of uniqueness and historical value for any home.

Unlike our custom-built new pieces, our antique stained glass has simply been restored to its original look, so we cannot make them fit into a different sized window.  We can, however, frame them in wood if you prefer, although they still look lovely as hanging pieces without a frame.  When you hang these leaded glass pieces in front of a window at your home, natural light gives it new life, and you’ll be able to fully enjoy all of the beautiful colors used in the window.

Antique Stained Glass with Scottish Stained Glass

Our expert builders have taken the time to fully restore these beautiful pieces and make them available to our clients who are interested in the more historical styles of leaded glass.  To learn more about our antique collection, give us a call or send an email today, and find out how you can get one of these charming windows in your home!

At Scottish Stained Glass, we often talk about the versatility of our products, and the power that our clients have to truly create exactly what they want for a stained glass window.  Part of the reason we’re able to do this is because of our exceptional and vast selection of glass colors and styles to choose from to make your design complete.

Every leaded glass window we build is custom and constructed by hand. Our builders take the time to ensure that each piece is cut perfectly, and they put together our stained glass piece by piece according to a full size pattern that we create. This process is extremely precise, and all of our builders are experienced in this traditional stained glass building method.

Your Glass Choices with Scottish Stained Glass

One of the most common reasons that homeowners choose to purchase a leaded glass window is to add privacy to a certain area in their home.  We offer a wide range of textured glass to provide this privacy, whether you choose colored glass or clear pieces.  In terms of colorless glass, some of our most private options are Granite and Cord glass.  Granite is a tightly textured glass that obscures vision almost completely, while corded has closely spaced lines.

If you’re looking for something with less obscurity, we offer many textures that fall under a clearer category.  Water glass and Baroque are both relatively clear textures that still offer style while only limiting visibility slightly.  We also offer mid-range textures like Hammered, Vecchio, and Gluechip.  Take a look at the photos on this page to see many of these textures incorporated into leaded glass windows.

Many of our clients use a combination of these textures, bevel clusters, and colors.  Colors are available in a wide range of opacity as well, and with over 600 to choose from, you’ll be able to find the right choice for your window and home.  Bevels are also a beautiful addition to any design, catching sunlight in new ways, and many clients choose bevels to create a kind of centerpiece for their window.

Because we offer such a wide selection of glass, our designers are able to work with you to build something you’ll love for years to come.  If you’re looking for a more picturesque window, we can use a combination of colors, textures, and the lead work itself to create anything from a sailboat to mountains, to animals.

Scottish Stained Glass

To learn more about the possibilities for adding stained glass to your home, contact us today and set up a consultation with one of our designers.  We can help you get started on your one of a kind piece immediately!

When thinking about stained glass, many people picture elaborate, colorful windows that hang in the halls of churches displaying biblical figures.  You might even think of a traditional, ornate piece that you might see in a museum, or a Tiffany lamp.  While all of these things are possible with our stained glass, we also do much, much more.

At Scottish Stained Glass, we build every piece custom for our clients, and the versatility of our products allows us to offer endless design possibilities.  Investing in our stained glass pieces means you can create a work of glass art that is completely tailored to your tastes and style preferences.

Creating Stained Glass Art with Scottish Stained Glass

We use traditional methods to create authentic stained glass, which allows us to create pieces that are much more than a simple window.  Whether you’re looking for a family crest featuring a meaningful emblem, a rendition of a sail boat, or a scene from nature, let one of our talented designers walk you through the process.

Our process begins with an in-home consultation with a designer for your area.  During this appointment, your expert will help you narrow down the perfect design, and go over the many color and texture choices that you have available to truly complete the look you’re hoping for.  With over six hundred colors to choose from, dozens of bevels, and many different textures of glass, you’ll be able to make your stained glass visions a reality.

Once you have made a final decision on the design and colors for your piece, it will go into production.  We will create CAD drawings of your project, and our talented builders will work from these patterns to construct your window.  Each piece of our stained glass is cut and assembled by hand using traditional techniques.  This method has proven to create the most beautiful, authentic, and long lasting leaded glass possible.

Because everything is hand built, we can achieve a high level of detail with our cut glass pieces.  We have created windows with luscious floral aspects, animals, and trees.  However, if you’re looking for something with even more detail, consider adding a centerpiece of hand-painted glass, which allows for greater intricacy.

Scottish Stained Glass Art

If you have any questions about our process, or the possibilities of leaded glass designs, contact us today.  Our custom stained glass gives you the opportunity to invest in a piece of art that has been crafted specifically for you and your home, so give us a call today to set up a consultation and get started immediately!

Click Images to Enlarge our Stained Glass as Glass Artwork

Family crests can be a meaningful representation of your Denver family, and choosing to create one in stained glass is one of the most beautiful ways to show it.  Hang your stained glass crest in front of a window and you’ll be able to enjoy the colors and textures of your piece as they play with the sunlight coming through as well.

Stained Glass Family Crests Denver

At Scottish Stained Glass, we build each and every piece custom to ensure that our clients have one of a kind glasswork that will be cherished for many years to come.  This means you’ll be able to create a crest that represents your family perfectly, no matter what you want it to include.  With over 600 colors to choose from, we can help you design exactly what you need.

Our family crests are most commonly hanging pieces, and we tend to use an octagonal shape as a standard size.  However, because our process is so versatile, we can create a crest within a stained glass window as well if you prefer this look.  As you can see from the photos on this page, both our hanging pieces and our window crests are beautiful additions to any family.

If you’re looking for more detail in your crest than our traditional cut glass allows for, we offer a great option.  We work with an expert glass painter to work with our clients looking for something more intricate.  Our clients frequently choose to have a small portion of their crest hand painted, and usually use this as a centerpiece within a cut glass design.

Your family crest can incorporate whatever meaningful design you want for your family.  If cared for properly, a stained glass crest can essentially last forever, meaning that your crest can become an heirloom to be passed through generations.  If your family name has a crest that you’re familiar with, we can design it in glass for you, or we can even help you research your history if needed.

Family Crests with Scottish Stained Glass

Scottish Stained Glass has been in business for over 20 years, and our traditional methods for creating authentic stained glass are time tested.  Because each piece we build is custom, you’ll be paired with an expert designer to help you through the process, and ensure that you truly love the end result of your glasswork.

Give us a call or send an email today to learn more about our process for creating meaningful family crests.  We’ll be in touch with you within 48 business hours to set you up with a free consultation, and get started on creating your family heirloom immediately!

While windows let in great, functional natural light to any space in your home, many windows also allow unwanted glances into your home from neighbors, visitors, or just passersby.  Window treatments may be in order for your home, and if you’re looking for something that actually looks great in addition to adding privacy and functionality, Scottish Stained Glass offers a unique window treatment option.

Window Treatment Options

There are a few major choices for window treatments.  The two most commonly thought of are usually blinds or curtains. Blinds work to block vision into your home, but at the same time will block natural light from coming in.  Blinds can also be difficult to clean, and depending on what type you get, can be easily damaged.

Curtains are another option for privacy.  While they can be an inexpensive fix to your privacy problem, they also block natural light, and require that you put up a curtain rod to hang them, causing damage to your walls.

At Scottish Stained Glass, we offer a unique solution to common window problems, as well as window treatment problems.  Stained glass can prevent vision through your windows, but still allows natural light to come into your home.  You can have your glass permanently bonded to the inside of your window, or even create a piece that hands inside your window for the same effect, with the permanent bond.

A leaded glass piece solves the problem of privacy for any home, and also goes further to add a unique and beautiful piece of art to any space.  Every piece that we build is custom, so you’ll be able to choose the types of glass we use, as well as the design of your piece.  You’ll be working with one of our expert designers to find the best look for your personal style, modern or traditional, and your home as a whole.  It’s like adding your own custom work of glass art to your home.

Window Treatments with Scottish Stained Glass

At Scottish Stained Glass, we build every piece using traditional methods.  This process creates stained glass that, if cared for properly, can essentially last forever.  Our team of talented designers and builders will help you through the design process and ensure that you love the stained glass piece that you end up with.  Feel free to give us a call or send an email today to learn more about getting your privacy back, and adding something beautiful to your home at the same time!

Stained glass ceilings are a huge, beautiful statement in any building, and Scottish Stained Glass is proud to have the ability to design, install, or repair and replace stained glass ceilings.

This application of stained glass is a showstopper, and it can be incorporated into churches, hotels, casinos, and even large shopping centers or malls.   These large, beautiful pieces often become a defining aspect of a building for years to come.

Adding a Stained Glass Ceiling to Your Building

As you can see from the pictures on this page, stained glass ceilings are highlighted by intricate details, and natural sunlight reveals a dazzling display of stained glass.  Structures with particularly high ceilings look great with glasswork as well, creating a piece of artwork in an unconventional way.

One of the most well-known locations for stained glass is in churches, and this applies to ceilings as well.  Adding our product to your ceiling will be a new, fresh way to display artwork throughout your church.  This can make your facility stand out from other churches in the area, and the beautiful natural light let in by this type of addition will make your church even more well-loved and well-known over the years.   Just like stained glass windows, we can depict biblical stories, murals, or simple designs in your ceiling piece.

If you own a hotel, consider adding stained glass to the ceiling in your lobby.  The Boulderado Hotel, in Boulder Colorado, for example, has a huge stained glass ceiling in the entryway.  This glass alone brings visitors to the area, and gives the hotel a sophisticated, luxurious look.  You want your visitors to remember your hotel, not only because it is a great facility, but also because it is beautiful, and with a stained glass ceiling, your building will always be memorable.

Casinos are another great location for stained glass ceilings.  Make a lasting impression on your customers with a brilliant ceiling that will look fantastic.  Casinos are known for their bright colors and lights, and we can create a ceiling that matches the décor of your business, and flows with the interior as a whole.

Stained Glass Ceiling Repairs

If you already have a stained glass ceiling, feel free to contact us about repairing or replacing your glass.  Our expert team can restore your stained glass ceiling to its original look, and make repairs for a stronger, longer lasting piece.

Scottish Stained Glass has been in business for over 20 years, and we have the experience to repair your glasswork.  If you don’t want your business disrupted, for example, our team can work with you to only repair a few sections at a time for minimal construction space, or whatever your needs may be.

Scottish Stained Glass Ceilings

At Scottish Stained Glass, we work with only the best quality glass available, and that has helped us become the leading provider of this product in the nation.  Our design team will help you create the perfect style for your building, and we take the time to learn about your needs, and the needs of your structure.  This means that we can create the best ceiling possible for your unique needs.

Feel free to browse our gallery to get a better idea of the many options we offer, and to get a better idea of how you want to incorporate stained glass into your ceiling.  Give us a call or send an email with any questions, or to set up a consultation today!

One of the many wonders of Colorado is the big groves of Aspens, with their distinctive white trunks and round-ish shaped leaves waving in the breeze. Our lovely Rocky Mountains are carpeted in beautiful aspen forests that are a delight to drive by or hike through. So in homage to this wonderful native Colorado tree, we’ve created our signature collection of Aspen Stained Glass.

Although many of our stained glass window designs are traditional, such as Celtic, Art Deco, or Victorian looking florals, our Aspen Collection is distinctively different. It’s modern and can seem almost abstract in appearance. It’s perfect for any home from a mountain ski lodge to a city loft or a rural mansion. If you’ve ever been inspired by the beauty of the aspens, perhaps our the signature Scottish Stained Glass signature Aspen Collection is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Bring the Glory of the Rockies Into Your Home with Stained Glass

For many people, their favorite season is fall, when the trees turn colors. In the fall, people come from far and wide to see the glory of the aspens as they turn a gorgeous golden yellow. Entire mountain sides appear to glow with light from their vivid color. Whether you prefer your aspens with the green leaves of spring or the golden leaves of fall, or perhaps just the architectural beauty of their trunks and branches with no leaves at all in winter – we can custom design and your stained glass window or door to reflect your tastes. Yes, whether you’d like vivid colored glass or clear, textured or any combination, our stained glass designers will work with you.

As for the town of Aspen, it has become a ski resort like no other, attracting celebrities and those with great taste from around the world. If you own property in Aspen, stained glass can add great value and enhance the distinctiveness and beauty of your home. Imagine a grove of stately aspens giving you more privacy in that master bathroom bay window, or a single aspen tree snaking its way up your sidelights on either side of your front door!

Dare we say that our Aspen Stained Glass Collection is as spectacular as the real live ones outside your window? And although an individual aspen tree can live anywhere from 40 to 150 years, your stained glass could last even longer than that, becoming a family heirloom.

Please take a stroll through our Aspen Collection gallery and see if that starts to fertilize your imagination. If you have an idea, whether aspen related or not, our professional design staff will work with you to see it come to life.

Did you know… in some countries, the aspen tree is believed to ward off evil spirits? We really can’t comment about that, but our aspen stained glass will definitely ward off boring décor for many years to come!

Contact us for more information about any of our stained glass window styles, or to have one of our designers come to your home for a free consultation. We look forward to working with you.

No one wants their home to feel like a prison, but what about a prism? Let us explain! Before we talk “prism” we need to explain about beveled glass, which is one of our specialties here at Scottish Stained Glass. If you are not familiar with this style of glasswork, it’s made out of thick, clear glass that has been cut into the shapes that will form the desired pattern. Then, the edges of the glass are ground and polished, forming an angle.

You might be familiar with beveled glass in decorative mirrors? Although they look beautiful, the sun doesn’t actually shine through a mirror, so you don’t get the same amazing effect as with a beveled glass window. It’s the angles in the glass, that when the sun shines through them, forms the prism effect.

If you just can’t get enough of the natural light in your home, you will be delighted with the dancing colors and flashes of light created by a beveled stained glass window or door panel.

Can we get scientific on you for just a moment? As you probably know, white light contains all the colors of the rainbow. A prism made of glass actually breaks up white light into its constituent colors, in effect setting them free to be refracted about the room, creating an almost rainbow like effect.

Scottish Stained Glass Designers

Our beveled glass designers are all huge fans of the traditional beveled glass that graced the European palaces of old, as well as the Victorian style that was so popular in older American mansions. These traditional designs have formed the inspiration for our own collection of beveled glass windows.

Clear beveled glass can be combined in an unending array of designs with colored stained glass, or textured glass, to meet any client’s needs or tastes. Please take a look at our beveled glass gallery to get a better idea of what we’re talking about.

The results are elegant, classy, eye-catching and frankly stunning, if we do say so ourselves. Beveled glass windows are particularly popular in entryways, but are also a fabulous choice for kitchen cabinet doors, transoms or anywhere you need a bit more privacy than plain old windows provide.

Prism Light

The prism effect provides a unique way to add light, vibrancy and color to a room, yet not clash with any existing color scheme or décor. If you see a design you like, we can make that same pattern for your home, but since each of our pieces has to be custom made, we could also design completely original beveled or stained glass windows for you.

Beveled glass windows catch the light in a dramatic and unusual way. If any of our beveled glass designs catch your fancy, why not give us a call today? Our talented team of designers will work with you to create the perfect beveled or stained glass windows for your home, office or retail space.

Scottish Stained Glass is proud to announce our first ever fundraiser for Project C.U.R.E. on June 21^st. The proceeds will assist that worthy organization in sending $1,000,000 worth of medical supplies to a hospital’s pediatric ward in Belize. Not just any old fundraiser, this one will consist of selling off Scottish Stained Glass founder Martin Faith’s prized, antique stained glass window collection.

These windows are beauties, each one at least 100 years old, imported from homes in Scotland that were replacing them with more modern windows. Can you imagine! Some contain colored glass, some are all clear or textured glass, all in great condition and ready to find appreciative new homes with Denver area stained glass lovers.

The history of this antique window collection is pretty cool. During the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, Glasgow was the second wealthiest city in the British Empire, with London, of course, being the most prosperous. Indeed, Glasgow was referred to as the “Second City of the Empire”.

This wealth led to gorgeous homes, many the size of castles, being decorated with art in the form of sculpture, painting, and stunning stained glass windows, produced by hand by the master craftsmen of the times. In fact, one of Glasgow’s most well-known architects, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, created stained glass masterworks for many of his buildings that are admired to this day.

Thousands of Stained Glass Windows Lost Forever

However, the failing economy after World War One saw the demise of the city’s stained glass industry, which has never recovered to this day. In the sixties, the vast majority of Glasgow’s older Victorian style houses were demolished to put up high rises and just like that, most of the stained glass windows that had adorned them so gracefully were gone.

Then, during the seventies and eighties, the remaining leaded glass windows were taken out and replaced with more modern, heat efficient, double paned windows.

It was some of these windows that Martin Faith managed to acquire, bringing them over from Scotland to form his prized collection. Sadly, it’s been estimated that only around 2% of the original residential stained glass from that area still exists. As you might expect, a larger proportion of stained glass windows done for Scotland’s many churches is still in existence.

Perhaps during that era, the value and craftsmanship that went into this particular type of art was simply not understood, or appreciated? We can hardly understand this mentality, but Glasgow’s loss was our gain. And now, these windows will help to save children’s lives! Rather amazing, isn’t it?

As with all antiques, this collection represents a tangible piece of history. Glasgow’s history, to be precise, which is also Martin Faith’s history. As owner of the largest stained glass studio of its kind here in the U.S., Faith has the deepest respect for the history and tradition of stained glass making and the amazing artists who devoted their lives to it.

In fact, some of the pieces in his antique collection were damaged, and have been repaired and restored with the most loving care and attention. If you’d like to see some of these pieces, find out information about the charity fundraiser or how you might be able to purchase windows from the collection, click here

Of course, if it’s the highest quality, most modern, “custom-made-to-your-specifications” stained glass windows or door panels you’re looking for, then why not contact us today?

As a designer for Scottish, I always tell people, “Everything Scottish Stained Glass does is custom made.”   Every bathroom window, every entryway, every transom window, in every house is built for that particular client.   This allows our clients to create a one of a kind piece of glasswork that fit their style perfectly, instead of choosing from a pre-made stock, and settling for a design.

Because of the versatility of truly custom stained glass, I’ve worked with many homeowners to create both traditional styles, and unique, stand-out pieces.  Some clients want to create a stained glass family crest to pass through the generations as a token of family history.  Others choose to create a window with a meaningful design to display in their home.  No matter what you’re looking for, we can help you build it with stained glass, setting your home apart from others.

Custom Church Stained Glass

While I work with many homeowners, I also collaborate with many churches to add stained glass to their facilities.  Our church stained glass is also custom, allowing each church to invest in meaningful pieces that will be loved in their churches for many years and generations to come.

In the past couple of years, I would say most of the stained glass windows I have designed were more custom than most, meaning I’ve designed some very unique, and rather untraditional pieces.  A trend seems to be windows that come from memorial donations in churches.  Slowly but surely, each church sanctuary or chapel, is filled with vibrant colors sparkling through each and every window.

Each is often designed, one window at a time, as a family member donates memorial money to create a special statement in memory of their loved one.  It may be that a grandmother loved butterflies, or grandpa loved the Colorado aspens in the fall.   These are stained glass windows that always have that extra custom touch.  These windows are a beautiful and lasting way to remember a person.

Scottish Stained Glass

The possibilities for adding stained glass to your home or church are truly endless.  Give us a call today to learn more about how you can add an incredible work of stained glass art with Scottish Stained Glass expert designers.

As a Scottish Stained Glass designer, I get to work with our clients to create the glasswork that they are dreaming of.  One of my recent projects is helping a family build their dream kitchen with our custom work to match their unique style.

Every kitchen needs a facelift at some point.  It might be adding a new appliance or two, new floors, or a new, fresh countertop.  Or, it may mean trading the out a few of the solid wood cabinet doors for some sparkle with the addition of some leaded beveled glass.

Stained Glass Can Create a Stand-Out Kitchen

A kitchen I’m working on right now, is a 12 years old, and my clients are completely gutting it to create their dream kitchen.   Walls are coming down, sinks and appliances are trading places, and the plans to include leaded and beveled glass doors on 6 different cabinet fronts are part of the grand plan.

Two tall stained glass cabinet doors will sit aside a bar area.  They will be the showcase position and design of all the glass we are adding.  Inside cabinet lighting and glass shelves will allow design elements to stand out, such as the bevels, and the red and amber leaves that will be glowing.   The main glass itself will be mostly see through to allow the wine glass collection to show and sparkle through the beautiful cabinet door additions.

A large corner cabinet will also be lit to make the bevels chosen to be artwork in the kitchen.  Four more cabinets, set up in pairs, will be a more simple, but complimentary design to the others.   The main glass chosen for these smaller cabinet doors will be clear in color, but incorporate textured glass to obscure the view of other kitchen items.

Inspired Kitchen Stained Glass

All of the glass cabinet doors will add an extra wow factor to the newly designed kitchen.   The bar cabinets with the clear bevels and the colored leaves will complement the foyer doors to the dining room that were custom built for this same family about a year ago.   They also have stained glass in a single French door, designed with clear textured glass and bevels that sparkle to the back yard.   This glass was the inspiration for the other new kitchen cabinets.

Stay tuned, I’ll provide you with the finished photos! If you have any questions about our process, or to learn more about adding our custom stained glass to your home, contact us today.  We’ll pair you with an expert designer and get started on your project!

“Window gifts of love,” was one mother’s idea for her daughter’s first time home purchase.   Carol, the mother, lives in Dallas and her daughter, Laura, was buying her very first home in Denver; a brand new construction town home.

Every single window on all 3 levels of the house needed some sort of window treatment.  A blind or a shutter would make many of the rooms in the home dark and closed off.   But each window in the town home looks straight in to the neighbor’s house, the active street out front, or the bad air conditioner view out the side.

A window treatment of leaded glass on many of these windows, however, allowed Laura to enjoy her windows to the fullest.  Carol gave her daughter a beautiful gift of stained glass windows throughout her new home to provide privacy as well as utilize the many opportunities for natural light.

Adding Stained Glass Completes a Home

It started in Laura’s entryway.  Sidelight windows next to her front door and a transom above, let in light and a feeling of openness.   These windows looked right on to the front walk where many neighbors would pass by each day as they walked to their own front doors.   The powder room had a nice little window to let in natural light and open for fresh air, but it too could be seen when standing near the front door step.

Mid way up a beautiful staircase, was a giant window, allowing morning light to stream through Laura’s new house.  Unfortunately, it also looked directly in the neighbor’s kitchen and back patio.   The windows in her master bathroom, were large and bright, and, open to the neighborhood.    Last, a fun decorative octagon window in the master bedroom looked over the top of the neighbors gutters.

A leaded glass window, accented with bevels to sparkle in the sunshine, was carefully designed for each room, based on Laura’s taste, décor and style.   She didn’t lose a single window, and not a moment of natural light.   As a matter of fact, the windows are now artwork in each room, and make the light far more dramatic than any bare window.

Beautiful Stained Glass Gifts

But a mother knows she can’t do a fantastic gift for only one of her children.    So for Christmas this year, her son Layne’s house in Oklahoma City, will be full and sparkle with new light, as the dark blinds go away in the entryway, the master bath, the foyer transom, and the back door. Layne and his wife have completely different taste and style and décor in their home than Laura, and each custom designed piece will be a perfect statement of who they are, as well as the style of their 3 year old home.

So you’re looking to decorate your home, and add some wonderful inspirational art—the kind with real value, the kind you will not grow tired of looking at. Perhaps you cannot afford an original Picasso; neither can we. But there is an original form of custom hand-made art that you could afford, that might give your home or business exactly what you have been looking for. We’re talking, of course, about stained glass art in the form of windows or door panels.

Sometimes people look confused by this suggestion. They are familiar with stained glass mainly in churches, and have no interest in adding any religious or bible scenes to their bay window. They cannot imagine that those vivid primary colors used for church stained glass would suit their modern suburban ranch home. But in fact because our stained glass is custom made, it can be done in any style that suits you, from Art Deco to Victorian, from Prairie Style inspired to the legendary style of Greene and Greene.

(People are even more confused when we tell them that around 90% of the custom stained glass work we do is colorless, using clear glass with various textures and finishes.) We’d like to show you some photos of stained glass, some that we have made and some that other artists have made, and see if we can’t show you why we insist that stained glass is the perfect, practical art form for today’s modern homes and offices, not just the churches of yesteryear.

Boulderado Hotel Stained Glass

One of the projects we are most proud of is the restoration of the lobby ceiling in the Boulderado Hotel. This gorgeous masterpiece has quite a long history, but was in need of serious restoration by the time we got our hands on it… and we spent considerable time lovingly restoring it back to its original glory. Take a look at this photo and see if you don’t agree that it’s a wonderful example of modern art! (Insert photo of Boulderado)

If this has whetted your stained glass appetite, it’s only the beginning. We’d like to show you just how beautiful, unique, and striking this art can be. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, if you’d like to see more pictures, please check us out on Pinterest or Flickr.  In fact, if you go on either of those sites and put “stained glass” into the search box, we think the results will blow any of your preconceptions about what stained glass can look like out of the water.

By the way, our Flickr photo stream has some stunning examples of antique stained glass. We do sell antique stained glass windows, imported from Scotland, in case antique art is to your taste. There is a style of stained glass to suit any taste. You can choose from modern, geometric, abstract, flowers or trees, colorful or clear, textured or beveled, or even painted glass — or any combination of the above. Working directly with Scottish Stained Glass, can you furnish your home with art masterpieces crafted especially for you.

If you are a fan of stained glass windows with lush colors, exquisite flowers, or unique design that captures the imagination, then we want to turn you on to one of our favorite stained glass artists of all times, the multitalented Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 – 1928). This architect, artist and interior designer was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where he learned his trade and did most of his famous work.

Mackintosh inspired designs

In the case of Mackintosh, a picture is worth a thousand words, so we hope you’ll head straight on over to our photo gallery, which features both examples of his work as well as some of the Mackintosh inspired designs that we have created over the years. One of the things he’s most known for is the Mackintosh Rose, sometimes called the Glasgow Rose, which is a “perennial” favorite among stained glass aficionados everywhere. (Pun intended!)

Another of the qualities that make his style of stained glass windows so beloved is his uncanny ability to combine different styles into an unexpected yet striking design. For instance, although he was a master with floral and art nouveau patterns, somehow he managed to merge them with linear, geometric designs, to spectacular result.

Mackintosh’s Influence on Stained Glass

Here at Scottish Stained Glass, our admiration for this artist knows no bounds. (Yes, founder Martin Faith is from Scotland, so you could say he’s biased, but the esteem Mackintosh is held in around the word tells you that our admiration is well founded.)  However, all of our stained glass panels are custom designed and handcrafted here in the U.S. by our staff of talented, specially trained artisans. We don’t copy his exact work, but pay homage to his talent and style with our own unique designs.

Mackintosh has been hailed as the greatest originator of modern art and design, creating much more than buildings and their stained glass windows. And since his death, his work has been shown in major museum retrospectives and his pieces sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Not content with just creating the outer architecture of a house, Mackintosh also did the interiors, including the furniture. This prolific artist set his talent loose on watercolors, fabrics, posters, wallpaper and even his own style of lettering which is still used to this day. In fact, we use it for our logo so you can see that we are fans indeed.

We hope after exploring his work, you’ll share our enthusiasm for this great master.

If you do like the Mackintosh style, you can rest assured that is a lovely and flexible choice that will work with many different styles of architecture and home décor. It will never look dated or out of style either, with its beautiful blend of modern and classical lines.

So, now that you’re sold on adding some Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired stained glass to your home, how do you proceed? Simply contact our experienced design staff to get the whole design process started.

At Scottish Stained Glass, we’ve restored hundreds of antique stained glass pieces from Scotland that are available to our customers.  These beautiful pieces embody the traditional methods and styles of stained glass, and they are all over 100 years old.

Each piece is completely unique to the time period and truly the style of stained glass.   Many of these windows came from old homes across Scotland; they often incorporated colored glass, something that is less common in American homes.

Antique Stained Glass Panels Make Your Home Unique

Stained glass panels are a great option if you may be leaving your current home eventually.  Instead of permanently installing the piece to a window, panels can be hung and then removed if you move or would like to simply move the panel elsewhere.  We can frame you panel, or place it directly inside of a window with removable clips.

When it comes to antique panels, you’re truly looking at something one of a kind.  Many of the types of glass used in these pieces cannot be replicated because of different glass techniques used at the time they were produced.  These pieces also offer unique aspects of design, and you may have never thought of a similar antique design if you simply purchased new stained glass.

One of the best aspects of these pieces is that they are an extremely rare piece of history.  While many methods that we use today are traditional, the types of glass and styles vary drastically from these historical pieces, and you won’t find anything like it.

Stained Glass Panels with Scottish Stained Glass

At Scottish Stained Glass our experts offer a wide range of styles and designs for panels.  If you’re interested in a piece that replicates a style of one of our antique panels, our designers will work with you through the process to find something you love.

Our expert builders have crafted our antique panels to be just as beautiful as when they were first made, and they make an interesting focal point in any home.  Our owner, Martin Faith, salvaged the pieces himself, and many have a story behind them.  If you’re interested in our antique stained glass panels, contact us today!

As a designer for Scottish Stained Glass, I occasionally get to work on church stained glass projects. In fact church windows are one of the most common things that people relate to when it comes to stained glass.  These traditional projects are different from residential leaded glass work as the pieces tend to be much larger and often incorporate colored glass. These projects are fun to work on as they often lead to beautiful, detailed windows that truly have charm and grandeur.

Stained Glass Church Project

The Applewood United Methodist Church was established over 50 years ago.  They began with a very small sanctuary and have grown into a large congregation with a new building as well as a new, larger sanctuary.  The older chapel has needed a facelift for years.

Meeting with one of the board members, we looked at the new construction and how they wanted to incorporate stained glass into their new design.  The board members took me into the newer section of the church and asked if I could use the look and colors of this area and transform into the new design for the old sanctuary.

I worked with the board members to create 4 new stained glass panels. We mimicked the new church design by using all different geometric shapes from circles to squares to semi-circles, and triangles to create a more modern look, without losing the original charm of this facility.

Stained Glass Panels

All of the stained glass panels are uniquely different, but still look fantastic together.  The colors they choose were jewel tones, colors ranging from dark reds, oranges, purples, blues, golds and greens. We used a combination of different glass textures to both enhance the colors and allow for the outside light to shine into the sanctuary.

The members were elated with the results of the new stained glass windows once installed. Along with new carpet and paint, the 50 year old sanctuary has been given a fresh new look, while still maintaining the traditional feel that the congregation loves.

I am continuing to work with this beautiful church to add other windows in the original sanctuary as memorials for the Applwood United Methodist Church.  The church is excited to add more pieces of unique glasswork, and so am I!

Terri Jenney, Scottish Stained Glass Designer.

At Scottish Stained Glass, one of our most popular options for homeowners is colorless glass.  This offers a classic look that will flow with any style of décor, and our colorless designs are something that you will always love in your home, no matter how your tastes change over time.

By choosing textured and beveled glass, you can create privacy for a window in your home with high visibility. However, one of the best parts about choosing textured glass is that it still allows natural light into your home, and with it, the colors of the seasons outside your home.

Most neighborhoods have beautiful trees surrounding each home, and while the leaves change, so do the colors that reflect through your stained glass window. Take a look at the picture below sent in by one of our recent customers, Carolyn.

Stained glass changes with the seasons

Carolyn had her stained glass window installed in the summer this year.  “I did not expect the surprising color changes created by the maple tree just outside the window.  I look forward to experiencing my window in all seasons,” she said.  Her beautiful window will likely change in color through each season, offering an interesting new look often!

While you may not have any color in your clear leaded glass piece, by doing so you’ll be able to better enjoy the natural colors surrounding your home.  These pieces offer unique character for any home, and natural light allows our windows to adapt to each season beautifully. Because our leaded glass gives you privacy without the need for blinds or curtains, you enjoy the light and colors around your home in a completely new way.
   

Scottish Stained Glass

We give you the ability to create something completely custom to fit your style and your home.  Our designers will help you through the possibilities of leaded designs to find your perfect window that will look great and give you privacy.

If you have any questions about how stained glass can enhance the beauty of your home, or to set up a consultation with one of our talented designers, feel free to give us a call or send an email today.  We can’t wait to show you how great leaded glass can be throughout the seasons!

The entry into your home is the first impression, and who doesn’t like a great first impression?  So you have a stunning wood door, maybe some sidelights (tall narrow windows next to the door), nice plants on your patio, and then… the transom window above your entry.

Transoms are great because they allow natural light into the home.  They can pose a few problems though.  One common complaint is the window faces the stairway or open 2^nd floor game room which exposes you, your family, and personal belongings to any solicitors and worse the neighbors at night when the light is on.  The other common issue is that the window only shows the ugly patio light from the interior side.  Usually if you can see the patio light, you also see dirt, bugs, and any other typical exterior elements that like to nest on covered patios.

Stained Glass Solutions

There are solutions to this previously perceived awesome window.  Most people automatically jump to custom blinds because they block the view.  The only problem with blinds are they block the natural light, which ruins the whole purpose of having a transom window.  A better option is stained glass. Stained glass windows are a great alternative as they are custom to your design style, provide privacy, block the unwanted views, and most importantly allow the natural light to fill your home.

I know that most hear stained glass and think, eeewwh all the colors and it is so traditional and old looking.  Not anymore!  Yes, even in your modern Austin home, stained glass can look contemporary.  Stained glass has come a long way since what you find at antique stores and churches.  Although stained glass can still be made to look like an art deco piece, to even your family crest, more commonly stained glass panels are now made contemporary by simple designs and uncolored glass. Over 70 percent of today’s leaded glass panels are constructed with a serious of different clear textured glass to create the desired design.  All stained glass panels are custom made to fit your windows making design options endless.

So the next time you walk down the stairs with your towel on, wave at your neighbor and then realize your half naked, consider a stained glass window to hide your troubles.

Basements may not be the first place you would think about installing stained glass windows, but I recently had a client who faced a not-so-uncommon dilemma. Windows in basements are an imperative part of the space. They allow for natural light to fill the room; otherwise there would be none. However, they also allow for an unattractive view, typically looking directly at a metal sheet, rocks, and eventually a collection of spider webs.

Custom Basement Stained Glass Options

Some people resort to curtains, which defeats the purpose of these windows. My clients, on the other hand, thought outside of the box. They decided to install leaded glass on their basement well windows. One of the most important parts about the design process for basement stained glass windows was choosing the colors and textures. We needed to use glass that would eliminate the view while not blocking or reducing too much of the natural light.

Clear or Colored Stained Glass?

This immediately eliminated the option of colored glass, as they thought that would deduct from the light provided. That left us with leaded glass to choose from. The texture we chose also had to create a high level of distortion, as the rocks and metal wall in the window well were in close proximity and a glass with a low level would still allow you to see what was there. The final glass choices in the basement leaded glass windows was a hammered glass alongside bevels and vecchio.

By utilizing stained glass, they were able to eliminate the undesirable view while maintaining the element of natural light. They also got to add a custom piece of art glass and a focal point to the basement entertainment room, creating a more beautiful space for themselves and guests to enjoy.

If you’re interested in enhancing the style of your basement windows, contact Scottish Stained Glass for a free consultation today!

If you ever find yourself visiting England, one “off the beaten track” attraction that we cannot recommend too highly is The Stained Glass Museum. Their wonderful galleries show the evolution of over eight hundred years of stained glass windows, collected from all over Europe.

View Beautiful Stained Glass

The Stained Glass Museum opened back in the seventies, when many stained glass windows were in danger of being lost. Their mission is to rescue these treasures and exhibit them in a way that allows the public to learn about them and appreciate them. Located inside the spectacular Ely Cathedral, the museum features more than one hundred stained glass panels, dating back as far as the year 1200. These artworks come from both religious institutions and secular buildings.

With many stained glass windows, particularly in cathedrals with huge heights, the windows are very high off the ground, but the museum carefully displays their collection at eye level. It is a stunning sight, not to be missed if you are an art lover, a history lover, or of course, a stained glass lover.

Where Is the Stained Glass Museum?

Located north of Cambridge, the Stained Glass Museum can be reached by train from London in a little over an hour.

If you have no plans to get to the UK any time soon, don’t be disappointed. The museum has a website where you can tour their galleries “virtually” and see many of these gorgeous stained glass masterpieces.

By the way, Scottish Stained Glass also has some extensive galleries you might like to take a look at. In our gallery we have many of the stained glass window designs that we have custom made for our 15,000+ customers over the past twenty years.

You might like to check out their “brief history of stained glass” page for its amazing glimpse through history, complete with photos of some of the most ancient yet masterful stained glass pieces.

Inspiring Stained Glass in Your Home?

If you are considering adding some stained glass windows, doors or hanging panels to your home or commercial space, learning about the history and evolution of this well-loved art form can be a lot of fun. But perhaps ancient medieval artwork is not your idea of a good time? Or perhaps you love looking at it and admiring the skill, artistry and craftsmanship that went into it, but want something more modern for your home?

Here at Scottish Stained Glass, we offer the best combination of ancient and modern techniques, still hand crafting our custom designed stained glass pieces, but using modern materials and installation procedures. Because of our great love and respect for the stained glass masters of old, we bring that same skill, artistry and craftsmanship to every window or door panel.

And our designs can be anything you’d like. From geometric to floral, from vividly colored to clear and textured, your imagination is the only limit! We hope you’ll visit The Stained Glass Museum if you ever have the chance, but even if you have no intention of leaving home, contact us for a free in-home consultation with a stained glass designer today!

I first met Shirley at the Fall Colorado Home Show in September. She stopped in our Scottish Stained Glass house to admire our beautiful windows and to visit. At that time she shared with me that she has always wanted to have some stained glass in her home but thought that it would be out of her price range. Shirley is a wonderful lady and has always gone “without” giving all of her time, energy and money to a daughter with many disabilities. During our visit at the home show and she mentioned a window she has going down to her basement and from her dining room you could view the house next door. Shirley always has wanted to have stained glass put in this window and in her home. I suggested a free in home consultation and that I would come up with a design that she would both love and be able to afford.

Stained Glass Colors

We met a week after the show and she showed me the window in question. Shirley also shared with me how much she loves color, especially the color orange. We looked at all the different designs, bevels and glass choices. Shirley chose a very simple diamond design with a border. The most fun was going through all the many colors and textures of glass for her design. We selected a very heavy texture for the main glass to hide the view of her neighbor’s home and used a very different texture of glass with multiple colors for her border as well as her main diamond piece. Of course there was her favorite color orange within the glass!

I went to visit with Shirley again after her stained glass window was installed and she is so thrilled with her new stained glass. She wanted me to mention that she has waited 26 years to finally have some stained glass in her home!

If you love stained glass and have been perusing our sites looking at all the lovely photos of our work, then you already know that every stained glass window we produce is custom made, and built to last for generations. But there is another kind of stained glass we are excited to tell you about – the kind that already has successfully withstood the test of time – antique stained glass!

On June 21^st, Scottish Stained Glass will be hosting a benefit for Project C.U.R.E, a highly regarded charity that takes in donations of used, new or reusable medical equipment and supplies, and ships it off to needy clinics in third world countries around the globe.

To date, they have collected around $1,000,000 worth of supplies for the recently finished pediatric ICU in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. This is one of that nation’s primary health care facilities, located in Belize City, Belize.  But although these much needed supplies have been donated free of charge, shipping that amount of tonnage to Belize is another matter entirely.
And that’s where we come in! Scottish Stained Glass founder, Martin Faith, has collected over 150 antique stained glass windows from his native Glasgow. They were “rescued” when many homeowners modernized their windows in the seventies and eighties, perhaps not realizing the worth of these lovely antiques. And although Martin dearly loves this stunning collection of 100+ year old windows, when he realized that selling it could potentially save hundreds of lives – his decision to sell them was easy.

During the 19^th century, Glasgow Scotland was a mecca of stained glass art, the city filled with master craftsman plying their ancient trade and outfitting the Victorian homes and castles of the day with their amazing artworks. Stained glass has a long history across Europe, and particularly in Glasgow, home of master architect and stained glass artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The windows in Martin Faith’s personal collection are one of-a-kind treasures of all sizes, colors and types of glass. In fact, many of them are made out of types of glass that are no longer possible to produce today, so not only are they beautiful, they are a tangible chunk of history. If you’d like to add one of these treasures to your home, it can be hung in a larger existing window via hooks, so you can let the sun shine through it, always the best way to view stained glass windows.

To see what these antique windows look like please view our stained glass samples.

Please visit Project C.U.R.E to make a donation or learn more about this wonderful cause.

The bulk of them will be viewed and then sold at our cocktail party fundraiser, to be held at our main Centennial, CO showroom on the evening of the summer solstice. We chose that particular evening so our guests would have the longest possible amount of daylight to admire their beauty, and choose the one they love the most to purchase. We’re expecting a great evening, complete with Glass, Grapes and Gruyere! The prices range from $500 to $20,000 for these beauties.

Please contact us for more information!

How do you design the perfect stained glass windows for your home, windows you will never grow tired of admiring?  How do you design windows so special and unique that you will insist on taking them with you if you ever move? Where do you get stained glass windows that are valuable pieces of art, adding real value to your home? Who can create stained glass windows that your kids will fight over after you’re gone, that will become treasured family heirlooms?

The answer to all of these, is of course, Scottish Stained Glass.  However, for us to create exactly the stained glass design you want, you first must think through what the perfect stained glass piece means to you and your home.

There are many things to take into consideration:

• Your personal tastes – modern, traditional, abstract, geometric, floral, Aspen, Deco, etc.
• The architecture, period or style of your home – from Victorian to a suburban ranch home
• Your existing décor and color scheme – do you love vivid colors, neutrals, or completely clear so it will match with any current décor and any remodeling in the future as well
• Your specific needs, such as more privacy
• Location – do you want stained glass sidelights or transoms, or stained glass panels in the kitchen cabinet doors or above your bar?
• You can have hanging panels, instead of installed window panes (easier to move!)
• Clear, colored, beveled, painted, etched, textured, or any combination
• Caming is an important part of the design as well. (That refers to the metal strips between the pieces of glass.) Caming can be lead, copper, brass and come in a variety of widths, from1/4” up to 1”, each adding a very different feel to your design
• Whether or not you foresee yourself moving at some point in the future
• And last, but hardly least, your budget.

Which Stained Glass Design Is Right For Me?

So how do you decide on what you want? It’s pretty easy, in fact. Our Scottish Stained Glass design team is highly experienced and very familiar with many different styles of stained glass throughout history. Contact us for a free in-home consultation with one of our talented design pros. They’ll show up with photos, ideas, samples, and all the know-how and experience to answer all your questions and point you in the right direction.

Many of our clients consider the design process to be the most exciting part, other than actually enjoying their finished stained glass windows for years to come, of course! If you have an idea of what you’d want, our designers will sketch it out freehand on graph paper, to show you exactly what it would look like in your space and create the pattern.

One of the main factors in the cost of custom, hand crafted stained glass is the intricacy of the design. So, if your original idea turns out too costly, our designers can adapt the design right in front of your eyes, simplifying it to get it into your budget.

Why not have fun with the design process? Check out our galleries of the many stained glass designs we have constructed for previous clients and see what inspires you. Then contact us and get the ball rolling on those amazingly perfect stained glass windows for your home or commercial space.

In our 20+ years of experience designing, building and installing stained glass windows in peoples’ homes and offices, many of the same questions arise. People are concerned about the installation of stained glass windows, or how to care for them once they’ve been installed.

Some of the Top Stained Glass Window Questions:

Do I have to pick one of your stained glass designs or can I have one custom designed?

People are surprised to hear that all our stained glass windows and doors are custom designed with your input. You can pick an existing design as a starting point, work with one of our designers from a completely unique idea of your own – or anything in between.

If I am on a tight budget, is there any way I can still have stained glass in my home?

There are various ways we can work within your budget. One of the main costs is square footage. If our estimate is way beyond your budget, consider adding stained glass to a smaller window or perhaps a door panel instead of an entire door. The intricacy of the pattern is the other main factor. Once our designers get a sense of what you want, they can adjust the pattern, perhaps using fewer pieces, to bring it within your budget but still create the look you want.

How long does stained glass last?

Your stained glass windows or doors should last for generations. We use the most modern and technologically advanced methods of construction and installation. However, even before modern times, stained glass was pretty durable. Panels have been found intact dating back hundreds of years. We suspect your stained glass panels will outlive you, looking as beautiful as the day they were installed.

Do my stained glass windows need any special care?

Usually, our windows are installed on the inside of the existing window. The original pane acts to protect the stained glass from the elements. Dusting or cleaning with a mild cleanser is all the maintenance these windows require.

What happens if I invest all this money in stained glass and then decide to sell my home?

Many realtors believe that stained glass is a terrific investment, adding to the overall value of the home. The unique beauty of this investment might be what sells your home! Furthermore, you can always take your stained glass panels with you when you move.

My home is filled with antiques. Is it possible to purchase genuine, antique stained glass?

Yes, we have a lovely selection imported from Scotland that will be available on our website soon. And if you come across an antique stained glass window or other type of panel that needs repair, we also provide restoration services. The work we do will be indistinguishable from the original, preserving the weather, antique appearance. Contact us for more information!

I Don’t See My Question On This List

We are here to answer every question and allay any concern. If your stained glass window question isn’t on this list, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions for even more information!

The comprehensive design and art style known as the American Arts and Crafts Movement began in the last years of the 19^th century and continued rising in popularity until the 1930s. Brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene were two influential American architects, who are considered the “best of the best” of this movement, also known as the American Craftsman Movement. Greene and Greene left an amazing legacy of stained glass artwork in the houses they designed, some of which are considered icons of modern design even to this day.

Along with their stained glass windows and doors, they also designed numerous stained glass chandeliers, light fixtures and lanterns which survive to this day.

This is one of their most well-known stained glass pieces, from one of their most famous architectural masterpieces, The Gamble House. This huge tourist attraction sees upwards of 30,000 visitors each year coming from every corner of the globe.

Greene & Greene – Architecture as Art

Although Greene and Greene did most of their work in California, that work is today included in museums across the U.S. and in Europe. The American Institute of Architects recognized them in 1952 for creating and contributing to a “new and native architecture”. Here’s another of their most well-known stained glass pieces, courtesy of the Smithsonian.

To see more of Greene and Greene architecture, furniture and stained glass, take a look on Pinterest.

If you are a long time Greene and Greene aficionado, or are just learning about them now, you might be salivating over the idea of having a piece of Greene and Greene style stained glass in your entryway, your bay window, or perhaps your wine cellar door, but never imagined it was possible.

Well, it is! Scottish Stained Glass does not do reproductions. In other words, we don’t copy existing Greene and Greene designs directly. However, our designers are well versed in their style and use it as inspiration and a springboard to custom make something in the Greene and Greene vein – yet completely original at the same time. Show us your favorite Greene and Greene stained glass, so we can discuss exactly what it is that so appeals to your aesthetic. Is it the rich, deep colors, or the elegant and graceful flow of the natural shapes? Whatever it is, we would be delighted to work with you and design some stunning Arts and Crafts Movement style stained glass for your home or commercial space.

Intrigued? Contact us today. Our designers come to you, for a no cost consultation. They are experts at creating the exact look and style you want.

Although most of our clients’ usually focus on the design and production of their new stained glass windows, in fact, the installation process is equally important. Our stained glass is hand built with the highest quality materials and the most efficient techniques, but installation is another area in which Scottish Stained Glass excels.

Over the years, we have developed our own methods to meet the needs of our clients and their homes. Our most popular method of installation is a process whereby the new stained glass window panel is actually bonded to the inside of the existing pane of glass. This method provides superior insulation, effectively providing a single paned window with the thermal efficiency of a double. By keeping the existing window in place, we also protect the stained glass from the elements, the wind, hail, or even flying debris that could otherwise damage it.

Our bonding process assures you that your stained glass windows can be installed very cleanly and quickly. We use a specially developed bonding tape, and finish it off with a tiny amount of caulk around the edge of the stained glass panel. This has two purposes – it matches the color of the window trim, so no separation between the panel and the window frame is seen, and it prevents any dust or debris from somehow finding its way behind the stained glass and dulling its beauty.

Stained Glass Installation Methods

However, this method is not appropriate 100% of the time. In some cases, the existing windows are not in good enough condition, so they need to be replaced before the stained glass windows can be installed.

For other uses, such as shower doors or bathroom windows where there is constant exposure to moisture, we prefer to sandwich the stained glass in between two panels of clear glass, effectively creating a factory sealed, triple paned unit that is easy to clean, and protects the stained glass art from the damaging effects of moisture over time. For this type of installation we use tempered glass, and always comply with all local building codes and new construction safety regulations.

It’s not the glass itself that is negatively impacted by moisture, it’s the metal strips that hold it together which could become corroded or weakened over time.

There’s another method of stained glass installation which most people have never considered. This is actually less of an installation, than simply hanging the panel in the window from hooks, as if you were hanging a painting. For this method, we could construct a metal or wooden frame around the stained glass panel, and attach the hooks.

If you’re wondering why anyone would prefer this method, there are a few good reasons. Many people move over the course of their lives, and you might be very sorry to have to leave your gorgeous stained glass windows behind if that becomes your situation! Simply unhooking the panel and taking it with you to your new home is a lot easier than having to uninstall the entire window pane. (Although this is a service we offer as well!)

Get The Right Stained Glass Installation Method For Your Home

When you work with Scottish Stained Glass to custom design a window or door, our designers will discuss the installation options with you. Contact us today for more information.