Stained-glass windows at all times were not a cheap pleasure. They decorated cathedrals and houses of nobles. Nowadays, a worthy alternative to stained glass windows at a more affordable price has appeared - stained glass film.
It can only be distinguished from real stained glass at close range. There is a wide variety of self-adhesive stained glass films in terms of colors and textures, which allows you to choose the option that is in perfect harmony with your interior. This finishing material will refresh the interior with minimal time and effort.
Material properties
Stained glass film is a 75 micron thick polymer material coated on one side with an adhesive called mylar. The film is resistant to stretching, moisture, UV and aggressive detergents. They produce transparent, matte, color, patterned and textured stained glass film.
The transparency of the material largely depends on the base glass. Modern materials provide ultraviolet filters, give themthermal and sound insulation properties. For decoration with a film, any glass surfaces, as well as acrylic, are suitable. The process of sticking stained glass film on glass is quite simple and does not take much time. This decor is durable and will delight you for many years. And if you get bored - the film is easy to remove.
Benefits
The main advantages of using stained glass film in the interior are:
- Resistant to various temperature conditions. The film retains all its functional and aesthetic qualities in the temperature range from -25 to +80 degrees Celsius.
- Moisture resistant. Stained glass film can decorate any glass and acrylic surfaces in rooms with high humidity: in bathrooms, swimming pools, winter gardens. The film is also suitable for pasting tempered glass showers.
- UV resistant. The film does not fade with time and does not lose its decorative properties.
- Some types of film have thermal and noise insulation properties, as well as ultraviolet filters. Stained glass film on the window will protect the room from overheating in summer, keep warm in winter and will prevent the penetration of extraneous sounds from the street.
- Durability. With careful care, the finishing material will last up to 15 years.
- Stained glass film has more than 200 colors to choose from, allowing you to choose the perfect combination for any interior.
- Decorativethe material enhances the strength of the glass to mechanical stress. The film protects the surface from scratches and cracks, and when broken, the fragments do not crumble, which is important for children's rooms.
- Easy to stick. Even a person who has not de alt with self-adhesive film before will cope with the task.
- Easy care. The decorative film is easy to clean and resistant to household chemicals, such as window cleaners. Of course, rubbing the material with abrasives is not recommended.
- Significantly lower price compared to real stained glass.
Uses
Self-adhesive stained glass film with a pattern can decorate any acrylic and glass surfaces in the interior, including tempered glass. Most often decorate windows, glass inserts in interior and exterior doors. For windows, materials with UV filters are especially relevant. Stained glass film ennobles the doors of wardrobes. This decor is suitable for tempered glass furniture and shower doors. The stained glass film on the glass apron above the work surface in the kitchen looks impressive. The material is also suitable for decorating mirrors.
Decorative film can decorate almost any surface, including lacquered and even wood. It is advisable to pre-coat it with an acrylic primer for leveling.
Even one element decorated with a film can refresh the interior and add zest to it.
Transparent
Transparent stained glass film is usually chosen for window decoration. The film can be tinted with UV filters, transparent from the side of the room and mirrored from the street. Such material will protect the room from overheating and excessively curious neighbors.
Beautiful drawings are applied to a transparent base with lead veins. The film may contain colored inserts, the transparency of the inserts being retained to some extent. There is also a transparent film with opaque colored and matte elements. A tempered glass table decorated with such a film looks like a real work of art.
Opaque
Opaque self-adhesive stained glass film is used to decorate interior doors, cabinet doors, and bathrooms. Such a film can be glossy color or matte. Despite the opacity of the light transmission of such a material is quite high. Matte film with a frosty pattern and transparent elements looks very impressive.
Textured
Textured stained glass film is able to imitate real patterned glass in various color shades. Such a film with embossed crystal inserts is often used to decorate mirrors. Facet lenses create a stunningly beautiful play of light and bring a little sophistication to the interior.
Sticking technique
The decor material is made in the form of a film sheet and sold by the meter, but you can also “assemble” yourselfstained glass from separate pieces. It will not be difficult to glue a tightly stained self-adhesive film on glass if the technology is strictly observed. Glass can be glued on one side or both. In the latter case, the strength of the glass will increase, and if damaged, all the fragments will remain inside the film.
To work, you will need film, a pencil, a tape measure, a ruler, a soft cloth, a plastic spatula with rounded edges, a hair dryer, a stationery knife and a needle. The spatula can be replaced with a plastic card.
At the first stage, the surface to be glued is measured and the desired piece of film is cut out. For convenience, a marking grid is applied on the substrate of the stained-glass window. It is advisable to leave 2-3 mm around the edge of the glass for a stronger bond.
After that, you need to prepare the surface on which the film will be pasted. It must be thoroughly washed and degreased. It is better to use a lint-free cloth so that no particles of matter remain.
It is more convenient to glue the film from top to bottom. Separate a small piece of film from the substrate, approximately 5-10 cm, and apply it to the glass. Gently smooth the area so that there are no air bubbles under the film. Then the next section is separated from the base and the procedure is repeated.
If bubbles still remain after sticking, they can be easily removed with a needle. The film is carefully pierced and air is released. Excess material is cut off with a clerical knife.
For pasting rounded and convex surfaces you will need a hair dryer. The film is heated with a hot air jet, which makesits more plastic, and it takes the desired shape.
Do-it-yourself film stained-glass window
If the proposed finished stained glass canvases do not satisfy your aesthetic preferences, then you can make a film stained glass window yourself. You will need a stencil, carbon paper, lead tape, self-adhesive film, rollers and brushes for leveling.
Before starting work, you need to prepare a stained glass stencil. You can draw it yourself, download it from the Internet or order it in a specialized workshop. The stencil is transferred to the paper substrate of the stained glass film using a carbon paper and the details are cut out. For convenience, you can number the elements.
To work, you will need a perfectly flat horizontal surface on which the stencil is laid, and on top of the glass base for the stained glass.
The glass is cleaned and degreased, and then the elements from the film are separated from the paper base and glued according to the scheme. They are carefully smoothed to remove all air from under the surface.
The joints of the parts are glued with lead tape. For convenience and tight docking, a special roller is used.
The finished stained glass is inserted into the frame. It will please with grace and originality of execution for many years.
Care
Stained glass film is easier to care for than real stained glass as its surface is more even. It is resistant to moisture and alcohol-based window cleaners. It is enough to periodically wipe the surface with a damp cloth. mess upthe material can be abrasive powders, solvent and substances containing acetone. Subject to simple rules of care, film stained-glass windows will delight with beauty for many years.
Stained glass film is a modern alternative to stained glass windows. This finishing material is much cheaper and has a number of undoubted advantages: it increases the strength of the glass, is resistant to moisture, high and low temperatures, long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and is easy to stick and clean.
Stained glass films are very durable and with proper care will last up to 15 years. Films are made in a variety of colors and texture solutions. There are matte and transparent materials, with a pattern and facets. You can purchase a ready-made film-canvas or assemble a stained-glass window according to an individual pattern.
The variety of types allows the use of stained glass film in interiors of various styles. This decor will refresh the room with minimal effort and time.
