Reinforcing Stained Glass Windows

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Reinforcement is necessary on larger windows. As a rule of thumb, a window more than three square feet should be reinforced. Either reinforcing bar or rod may be used for support. Be sure to consider this when designing the window so that the reinforcement does not intrude or compromise the design of the finished work. In either case the reinforcement is soldered to the back of the panel in one of two ways. The bar should be pre-tinned before use. You will solder the bar in several places at intersecting lines on the window. Rough the areas to be soldered on the bar with steel wool. Apply flux and coat the areas with solder. Doing this will make soldering the bar to the window much easier. Place the bar on edge and solder to the window in the predetermined areas.

When using rod, a length of pre-tinned wire is first soldered at several intersecting lines on the window where the rod will sit. The rod rests on the wire which is twisted around it. Apply a bit of solder to the twisted wire. Solder either end of the rod (or bar) to the edge came. In some cases the rod or bar extends on either side of the panel and is “buried” in the wood casing of the window to provide optimum security. The casing is notched where the bar will fit and filled over to disguise it.

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Kayleigh Clark

Friday, March 26, 2021
Delphi Expert
134 Posts
Top Contributor Gallery Artist

@justinew18 If you frame your project with 1/4" U Zinc it will be strong enough to stop folding. 3/8" Zinc will also work.

 

justinew18

Friday, March 19, 2021
2 Posts

Hi, I am making 2 small copper foil panels for an internal door. They measure 13" by 6" and the pattern is oblong strips placed in a brickwork pattern that runs vertically. Do you think these should be reinforced due to the hinge joints and if so where would you recommend placing the reinforcement. Many thanks.

 
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Kayleigh Clark

Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Delphi Expert
134 Posts
Top Contributor Gallery Artist

@jjplouffe This is still considered a small panel so no you don't have to reinforce it. Anything larger though you would.

 

jjplouffe

Monday, March 2, 2020
1 Post

I'm making a 2'x2' copper foil panel as a hanging/framed panel, not as a window panel. Is it necessary to reinforce this size project?

 

Kayleigh Clark

Friday, October 18, 2019
Delphi Expert
134 Posts
Top Contributor Gallery Artist

@coldmntbling We do not have any videos on reinforcement on our YouTube channel. However I sure there is a video out there.

 

coldmntbling

Friday, October 18, 2019
2 Posts

Are there any videos out there to show the process of adding reinforcement to a piece?

 

Kayleigh Clark

Thursday, October 3, 2019
Delphi Expert
134 Posts
Top Contributor Gallery Artist

@justinew18 For this panel, no you do not need to use reinforcement. However, we do suggest that you hang it from using 2 chains 1 chain per hook.

 

justinew18

Thursday, October 3, 2019
2 Posts

Hi, I a am making a copper foil hanging panel in a geometric design. The panel is long and thin, 2 ft by 8", there will be 2 hooks and a chain at the top. This is the longest hanging panel I have made and normally on smaller panels I would just solder bead the edges. should the panel need reinforcing in the design and or the edges. Many thanks.

 
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Kayleigh Clark

Thursday, June 13, 2019
Delphi Expert
134 Posts
Top Contributor Gallery Artist

@raeglas18 Yes, you will want to use reinforcement with these pieces. Our stained glass expert prefers Strong Line Flexible Steel Reinforcement, item

 

raeglas18

Wednesday, April 17, 2019
1 Post

Hello! I am creating to larger pieces, I have never made anything so large before. One will be 26x18 and the other 56x17. Do I need to install reinforcement to these pieces? What do you recommend I use for reinforcement? Thank you for the help!

 
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