It is easy to make a stained glass ceiling in a house or apartment with your own hands without complicated protracted processes and special professionalism. To reduce the cost of the finished structure, we recommend creating stained-glass windows at home using one of the presented methods. Stained glass ceilings are the most expensive and stylish way of using stained glass, striking in their sophistication and respectability. Regardless of the shape of the structure and the way of creating the tiles, the ready-made hanging composition will always fit into any interior. Installation of such a ceiling is within the power of every owner, and the variety of material allows you to please any hostess.
Features of stained glass ceilings
Stained glass ceilings are suspended structures consisting of a frame and glass panels of various sizes.
Their installation is carried out in one of three possible ways:
- On the principle of a false ceiling … In this case, equip a niche for the frame of at least 20 cm (for lighting and communications).
- Without hanging structure … Installation of panels is carried out on the projections on the wall, located below the rough ceiling.
- "On the box" … It is used if the stained-glass ceiling needs to be installed in the form of a huge lamp - a kind of box on the ceiling.
The numerous advantages of stained-glass ceiling windows are manifested both from a decorative point of view and from a practical one. Of course, the most important among them is a unique and inimitable appearance. But there are others, no less important:
- Quick and easy installation without labor-intensive processes, requiring no special professionalism.
- Easy to care for and practical to use. In case of damage to one of the stained-glass elements, there is no need to repair the entire structure. A glass component of the desired shape can be seen on a similar one.
- With proper installation, the moisture resistance of stained glass ceilings is quite high.
- A wide range of materials. Each owner can choose for himself the option that is ideal in size, color, shape and pattern, which is optimal for the planned interior design.
- All types of stained glass are considered highly environmentally friendly. In the process of their manufacture, no chemicals are used that harm people and pets.
Varieties of stained glass for the ceiling
Depending on the method of applying the image, the stained glass for the ceiling can be film or created from various glass components. Film stained glass is a material consisting of two layers - glass and polymer film with a specific image. This type of stained glass is considered less expensive and less durable. The coating can be damaged over time and lose its presentable appearance. But with proper care and careful use, it will last for many years.
Stained-glass windows, assembled from separate glass parts, are more durable and reliable. The tiles are connected to each other with copper or lead veins, creating a continuous surface. Such suspended stained glass ceilings are installed not only in private houses and apartments, but also in the halls of restaurants and hotels, theaters and cinemas, banquet halls and clubs.
Based on the technology for making tiles, there are also several popular types of stained-glass windows:
- Sandblasting … In most cases, such a stained-glass window is frosted glass with a certain image or pattern. Matting the tiles is done by processing them with a jet of compressed air. In the same way, matte patterns are left on the glass, applying the desired stencil. Using the method of sandblasting, you can create a complete plot or separate parts of the overall composition on each tile.
- Photo printing … A relatively new technology for the manufacture of this type of stained glass allows you to translate into reality any ideas of buyers. The desired image, ornament or photo is applied to a special film. Then the canvas is divided into parts, which are subsequently pasted over glass tiles.
- Tiffany … This type of stained glass ceilings is a mass of glass elements, glued on the sides with copper or tin foil. With their help, it is easy to create not only flat, but also domed ceiling surfaces. Another indisputable advantage of Tiffany stained glass is the ability to use matte, glossy, embossed and other elements in one composition.
- Contour … To create such stained-glass windows, black, silver, golden or colorless polymer sides (contours) are applied to the glass. Then each cell is filled with varnishes and polymers of certain colors, according to a plan prepared in advance.
How to make a stained glass ceiling
In most cases, do-it-yourself stained glass ceilings are installed according to the principle of a suspended ceiling. This method is considered the fastest and most convenient.
Tools and materials for installing a stained glass ceiling
The construction of stained glass ceilings consists of a frame made of T-shaped profiles and inserts - stained glass. The required profile can be found at any hardware store. It is also worth preparing a hacksaw for cutting it into cuts of the desired length. To attach a structure to a ceiling slab, height-adjustable brackets come in handy.
As a necessary tool, a typical set of any home craftsman is suitable: a tape measure, a screwdriver, a puncher, sandpaper, laser or water level, a cord or strong thread, a paint brush.
Surface marking before installing the stained glass ceiling
The process of installing a stained glass ceiling begins with marking. The surface must be strictly horizontal. For the correct fastening of the profile to the wall, a line is beaten along the entire perimeter.
The sequence of actions is as follows:
- A mark is placed in any corner at a distance of 20 cm from the ceiling. She points to the lower level of the future structure.
- To achieve the ideal horizontal, the mark is transferred to each of the remaining corners using a laser or water level.
- All marks are connected along the wall, while checking the severity of the horizontal. At the same stage, the points are connected diagonally, thereby defining the center of the room.
- From the middle of each wall, lines are drawn to the center (the intersection of two diagonals).
- From the short lines connecting the points in the middle of the ceiling, measure 1, 2 meters and draw lines again.
- To determine the place of attachment of the suspensions around the central point, a circle of diameters of 1, 8 m is outlined. The points of intersection of the circle with the lines will be the places for mounting the suspensions. The next points are determined in the same way, when you re-indent the same distance.
Installation of a frame for a stained glass ceiling
After completing the markup, you can proceed with the installation of the frame for the stained glass ceiling, which consists of a profile, corners and suspensions. It is these elements that will reliably hold the difficult structure of the stained glass ceiling.
All processes must be carried out consistently and efficiently:
- Holes are drilled on the mounting profile in 30 cm increments.
- The finished profiles are applied to the wall in such a way that their bottom coincides with the broken line.
- Marks are placed on the wall through the holes in the profiles for drilling under the dowels. Thus, the profile is attached to the plane of the wall.
- For the installation of suspensions, similar actions are performed. But in this case, holes are drilled in the ceiling.
- During the installation of suspensions, make sure that they are located in the same plane with the profiles on the walls. They can be adjusted using threaded connections.
During the installation of the frame, the guide profiles are firstly fastened, only then the transverse ones. Each edge of the profile is firmly fixed on the wall corner, and the middle - on the suspensions. In cases of lack of material length, you can "build up" an additional piece using a lock connection.
Further, the installed profiles are connected with transverse ones every 60 cm. The result is a frame-lathing of profiles. Additional suspensions are mounted in the places where the lighting fixtures are supposed to be located. At the very end, the structure is checked for irregularities: any angle of the cells must be 90 degrees.
Fastening stained glass to the ceiling
Before the glass is installed, it is necessary to carry out the electrical wiring. Backlit stained glass ceilings always look more spectacular and more expensive. For the arrangement of lighting, both spotlights and light blocks are used, as well as LED strips and lamps.
Each wire of the electrical wiring is firmly fixed to the ceiling or wall. Lighting devices are installed on pre-prepared suspensions, fixed wires are fed to them.
At the last stage, stained glass is inserted into the cells created by the T-shaped profiles. If a certain picture should be formed from the elements, they are laid, guided by a preliminary plan or sketch. Installation of a stained-glass ceiling in this way is almost identical to the installation of the Armstrong ceiling.
Technologically they are the same, the only difference is in the choice of the used profile and inserts. For Armstrong, pressed paper plates are used.
Lighting for stained glass ceiling
A significant role in the installation of stained glass ceilings is played by the correct organization of the lighting. The light passing through the panels should create a special atmosphere in the room, unusual glare and play. There are several ways to create decorative lighting. For example, mounting a light source inside along the contour of a stained glass window or a single point fixture in the center of the composition.
Among dozens of possible options, the most effective is full illumination of the entire surface of the stained glass ceiling. To achieve this goal, neon tubes or fluorescent lamps are used. Improvements option - backlighting with LED strips and lamps.
This method has many advantages: the minimum amount of space required, simple installation, long service life, the ability to adjust the brightness and select the desired lighting colors.
To organize LED lighting, the minimum distance from the rough floor to the stained-glass ceiling should be 7-10 cm. The ideal indicator is 15-20 cm. LED strips are attached to the inner surface of the glass in even rows, retreating 10-15 cm between them.
Decorative lighting of stained glass ceilings cannot be the only source of light in a room. The rays passing through the tiles scatter, lose their saturation and fade. In this regard, additional wall or floor light sources are installed in rooms with stained-glass windows.
Making stained glass with your own hands
As you know, using stained-glass windows in home decoration is not cheap pleasure. But if you make a stained-glass ceiling with your own hands, without buying ready-to-install tiles, its cost will be significantly reduced. Such products are difficult to distinguish from the classic branded tiles.
The following methods are available for home use:
- Painted stained glass … Prepare the following materials: a sketch of a stained glass window in full size, glass for applying stained glass, special paints and solvent, a stencil, markers, a palette, synthetic brushes, cotton pads and cotton swabs, a needle for piercing bubbles in the paint. Selected glasses of a suitable shape must be thoroughly washed and degreased. Lay the glass on the sketch of the stained-glass window and transfer the image with a marker. Next, you should wait until the marker is completely dry, then apply paint on one fragment. It is not recommended to make the first layer with strokes; it is better to drop it inside the fragment and distribute the solution with a brush to the contours. Fill in the rest of the fragments in the same way. The second layer of the solution can be applied only after the first one has completely dried.
- Using stained glass film … You will need the following materials: a life-size sketch, glass of the right dimensions, stained glass film, a roller and spatula for laying the film, scissors, lead tape and a special clamp, a soldering iron, solder, a tape holder, a table with the right lighting. The finished glass should be washed, degreased and put on a sketch. The contour pattern must be marked on the glass with self-adhesive lead tape in order to create an imitation of tin seams. Turn the glass over, on the back, stick a colored film depicting multi-colored glass. Along the outline of the pattern, reattach the lead tape over the film. The joints of the tape should be soldered with tin.
- Stained glass in English technique … Materials required: life-size sketch of the image, glass and degreaser, black cord, epoxy glue, synthetic brushes, palette, cotton pads and swabs, colored pigments. Glass for stained glass must be carefully washed and degreased thoroughly. Lay the tiles on the sketch of the drawing, line the outline of the image with a black cord. Mix epoxy glue with color pigments. The resulting solution should be filled in the cells between the laces. Wait 4-5 hours until the stained glass is completely dry.
- Stained glass by means of stickers … Stock up on materials such as a full-size sketch of a picture, glass for stained glass of the right size, flat pieces of colored glass, silicate glue, synthetic brushes, liquid glass, paint of different colors. Glass tiles need to be washed and degreased, put glass on the sketch, paint the contours of the image. Smear the entire surface of the stained-glass window with silicate glue, lay out the pieces of colored glass according to the pattern. Next, fill the mosaic with liquid glass and wait 6 hours until it dries completely.
- Wire and paint stained glass … You will need the following materials: a sketch of a drawing in full size, glass for stained-glass windows, thin soft wire, aniline paint of different colors, brushes and a palette, cotton pads, colorless varnish. Washed and degreased glass should be placed on the sketch of the image. On the surface of the glass, form the outline of the pattern with a soft wire. Each fragment between the contours of the wire must be painted with aniline paints of different colors. Cover the finished product with a colorless varnish and leave to dry.
How to make a stained glass ceiling - watch the video:
If it is difficult to create a sketch of the image yourself, you can use a photo of stained glass ceilings or ready-made templates for patterns and plots. Otherwise, the creation and installation of stained-glass windows with your own hands will not cause any problems.
