Stained Glass & Art Glass - Home Renovation Advice From An Expert

As an interior design nerd, I am addicted to Instagram… and I frequently get sucked down into their #interiordesign or #homedecor rabbit-holes. A few weeks ago, Instagram introduced me to some amazing pictures of art glass windows & doors.

Wanting to learn more about art glass, I did some Google searching…and was thoroughly underwhelmed by what I found…or didn’t find.

So, I decided to get in touch with an expert on art glass and proceeded to ask him a million questions. And because I love you folks so much, I decided to turn it into an article and share it with you & Google’s search bots.

Fred May is the owner & operator of Millennium Glassworks. Fred is not only a true artist & art glass craftsman, he is also extremely knowledgeable on the history of art glass. I hope you learn as much about art glass as I did.

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area / Souther Ontario and you are curious about incorporating art glass into your home’s interior design, do not hesitate to get in touch with Fred at Millennium Glassworks. Not only is he a true artist with art glass, but he is also an awesome guy who PATIENTLY answered all my questions and gave me a free education about art glass, how to incorporate it into my home and the entire design & installation process.

I have included all of Fred’s contact info at the bottom of this article.

Interior Design Toronto : What is the difference between art glass & stained glass?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : The true definition of “stained glass” is the process of painting coloured glass with black paint which is baked into the surface of the glass. This creates a shadow effect or 3D depth that gives the result for example of draped clothing in church windows.

Art glass is a more recent medium started by the likes of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Louis Tiffany, and Frank Lloyd Wright in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their styles used more clear glass as well as coloured glass along with line design to create a screen or window art, lighting, mosaics, etc. Some quotes from them.

“Stained glass, far more than a host of fixtures, upon which considerable amounts of money are almost routinely spent, is the most spectacularly visible design element with which the architect can possibly work.” Louis Tiffany.
“Art glass has a place moderating the light of our environment.” Frank Lloyd Wright.

Interior Design Toronto : Are there different types of art glass?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : There are many beautiful types of art glass made in the world. Most of the glass in Canada comes from the United States. Old school mouth-blown sheet glass is still made but is expensive and not so widely available. During the 1800’s industrial revolution, companies were created with the discovery of natural gas to fire their furnaces to manufacture glass. Establishing the manufacturing of glass was pivotal to making art glass more accessible to the masses. Each sheet of glass is unique with it's own colour, textures and variations making each application truly one of a kind.

Interior Design Toronto : Is art glass purely an artisanal product or are there companies who mass-produce "art glass" windows & doors? If yes, how does that mass-produced product compare to art glass made by hand by an experienced artisan?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : Art glass is an artisanal material and there are companies that mass produce. The door industry makes door inserts. And lighting products (Tiffany knockoffs) are mostly made in China, Mexico etc. Most that are mass-produced today are of poor quality. The glass is basically the same but the leads, soldering and workmanship is of poor quality. These mass-produced or sweatshop items have a short life of a few years eventually ending up in a landfill.

Tiffany mass-produced some of his products but used high-quality production techniques. Many of those items are still in use today and are highly valuable. There are many experienced glass artists like myself that take great pride in their craftsmanship. If art glass is designed and constructed properly it should last many many years before any restoration is required. There are many examples of this tried and true quality craftsmanship in churches, older homes, and public buildings. Consideration must be given to location, design, size, weight, and materials used. In my opinion, using tried and true methods, materials and workmanship is alive and well in the commissioned custom art glass community.

Interior Design Toronto : What are the different applications for art glass in a residential home? exterior doors, exterior windows, interior applications???

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : Most applications are for exterior doors and windows and for good reason. When a person enters a room, their eye goes to the source of light. That’s why Tiffany said, “it’s the most spectacularly visible design element with which the architect can possibly work.” Tiffany also created interior lighting as he knew where the eye goes.

I also make art glass panels for interior walls and privacy screens to place in front of windows or in a space to give light and design but create privacy. I have also made custom art glass mosaics for backsplashes instead of tile or to compliment the tile as a feature. Custom lighting can be designed for that unique room feature to draw the eye and lift the space and its occupants. I’ve even incorporated art glass into wood tabletops. I’m open to ideas.

Interior Design Toronto : What materials are involved in building art glass?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : Materials are coloured and/or textured glass and leads extruded in various widths. I use leads that have harder metals included, as in the old days, when the smelters left traces of harder metals in their product. On a side note, hobby lead is very soft and easy on the hands but not as strong. Other metals include solder, zinc, brass, and steel bars for support if required. A cement is used to waterproof and support the panel. Finishes can be black patina, copper, and a good polishing. To finish off I often custom make mouldings to use during the installation.

Just a word about the lead used in the making of this art. The only problem with lead is when it is consumed or inhaled. Companies have used it in products such as cans that contain food, or in paint and products that require sanding. We all know it has been used for water pipes. But lead will not jump off your windows, doors, lamps, etc. I’ve been up to my elbows in this stuff for many years and have had my blood tested several times with no issues. It’s really simple. I don’t eat the lead.

Interior Design Toronto : How did you become an art glass artisan? Apprenticeship? Years of experience?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : As a teenager, I became friends with someone who was making glass lamps as a hobby. He helped me make my first lamp and I was hooked. We are still friends to this day.

I operated a small stained glass shop for a few years. But then moved to Toronto and was hired by The Door Store in Toronto where the speciality was stained glass restoration. We also produced very large new commission pieces such as dome ceilings, entryways, etc.

I also worked for Excelsior Glass which was founded in 1905. Many stained glass windows of that time were made in England shipped to Canada finished and only needed to be installed. Excelsior was one of the studios that began with the mission to make stained glass from scratch here in Canada. Many craftsmen passed through those doors and I was blessed to have a co-worker that had many years of experience working with glass studios in Ireland. We produced new windows and also restored many large Toronto church windows.

After that, I went on my own and focused on private residential custom work, some commercial jobs as well as the occasional church window restoration.

Interior Design Toronto : What is the proper term for what you do? artist, artisan, craftsman, etc

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : There are many terms; artist, craftsman, designer, coach, and installer.

Interior Design Toronto : How do you come up with the design for your art glass?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : There are many sources for designs.

Architects and interior designers pick a design from their sources and we alter or adapt it to fit the space.
A customer can have a carpet or design element in their home that we can use as inspiration for a complementary piece.
Customers have also come to me with ideas from something online which we can use as inspiration.
There are also many glass design books.
I also have reproduced old designs altering them in appropriate ways such as simply using clear textures to give a very modern twist resulting in a mixture of old is new again.

Interior Design Toronto : How much input does the homeowner have?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : As much as they like. I really want them to walk by the piece I have made for them after the installation and in the years to come and smile and get a little lift from their art and their experience. Some clients leave it to me to pick the glass. Others enjoy being a part of the full process where, for example, we hold the glass samples up to the light while looking at the full-size drawing to confirm their design and glass choices. Many customers trust designs to their interior designer and we work together to achieve the desired outcome.

Interior Design Toronto : Are there classic designs for art glass that you rely upon?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : Yes. There are many design books and classic designs. The majority of designs have to be adapted to the space they are going into for size, shape, transparency, colour, texture etc.

Interior Design Toronto : How do you price your products?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks :

materials
time
size
your expertise
distance from client
etc.

Interior Design Toronto : Can I get some rough idea of prices for an exterior door, exterior window, etc?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : All of the above factors plus installation are used to arrive at a price. Art glass is generally priced by the square foot. Many factors can determine the price; complexity of the design, quality of the glass used, type of lead, zinc, brass, or copper used to assemble the piece. As well, painting, sandblasting and custom bevelled glass can all be cost factors.

There are many beautiful designs that average in the $175 to $225/sq ft range and more complex $250 to $350/sq ft. A very simple design could be as low as $125/sq ft. This would apply to a project design that will be duplicated many times, e.g. many simple cabinet doors or if it is a large window with larger simpler design elements. If you have a specific budget is in mind, I can come up with a design to fit your budget.

Interior Design Toronto : How long does it take to create an original art glass piece...I assume it will vary from piece to piece, but if you could give me an idea for an exterior door, exterior window, shower glass, etc?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : Most commissions take about 12-14 weeks to complete and install depending on my workload. I handle all steps in the process to ensure quality. Large commissions and custom painting or bevelling can result in more time.

Interior Design Toronto : How are pieces installed?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : Most art glass windows are installed on the inside of your existing clear glass windows within the same frame. This protects your art glass from the elements. I do this with small custom made mouldings. You can also have a piece made smaller than the window and hang it from the frame above. Regardless of what you decide upon, I can do the installations to ensure a proper secure fit.

Interior Design Toronto : What about the cold Canadian winter and how it impacts pieces exposed to the elements?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : For centuries stained glass windows were the only windows in buildings. They do withstand the elements really well. I installed art glass in my gate to the backyard a number of years ago and it’s fine.

Interior Design Toronto : Do you make the glass? Buy the glass? Colour the glass?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : The glass is made in factories where their own recipes are used. The glass is made via a combination of gas-fired kilns, annealing ovens and rollers, all controlled and processed by hand. Not much has really changed since the industrial revolution. Mouth-blown glass is another art all to itself. I buy all types of glass sheets; coloured and clear with different textures.

Interior Design Toronto : How long will a piece last?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : A piece should last lifetimes if constructed properly with quality materials. A couple of years ago when visiting France, I looked at windows installed in the 11th century. They looked fine. Most likely some restoration was done over the years.

Interior Design Toronto : I assume that not all art glass pieces are created equal. How would a piece created by a highly skilled person (you) differ from one made by a less experienced person? What do you know & do that a less experienced person can't?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : The difference between a highly skilled and less experienced stained glass artist would mainly relate to the design options the individual can offer, their glass cutting skill which is extremely important for proper fit of the glass pieces and their craftsmanship. Also, less experienced people can be limited in their choice of materials and their ability to ensure a proper installation. With the experience and wisdom from tried and true practices, you are getting quality that a less experienced person may not be able to bring to the table.

Having said that there have been many times I needed the advice of others. It’s more about commitment to the art and your own integrity.

Interior Design Toronto : What about repairs? I have an existing piece that needs work? (for my reference, what are typical repairs that you handle for old pieces?)

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : Very old windows or damaged windows can be restored. Sometimes it requires the removal of the window so the old leads, broken or cracked glass and cement can be replaced.

Pricing for repairs is similar to a new window but the original glass is re-used as much as possible. If the whole window doesn’t have to be dismantled and rebuilt, the repair cost would be priced accordingly.

Sometimes a simple repair can be made on site. I have access to many types of glass to match existing windows. I have restored some old windows that were installed in the 1800s and was able to get new glass from the original U.S. glassmaker. Glass painting is also available from a friend that does beautiful work.

I love doing full restorations on old stained glass. I often think of the people back in the day who made it and now I have my hands on it giving it new life and wonder about future artists carrying it on into another future century.

Interior Design Toronto : How do I get an estimate?

Fred May - Millennium Glassworks : Phone or email. Usually, I visit the client’s home, take some measurements, look at some design ideas and provide an estimate at no charge. Well, I might need a cup of tea. I can also work with an idea and/or some blueprints.

About the Author

FRED MAY - GLASS ARTIST / CRAFTSMAN

For many years, I have designed, constructed, restored and installed hundreds of handcrafted art glass windows, doors, lamps, etc. for residences, offices, restaurants, churches and public spaces.

I personally handle all phases of each project including project consultation, design, glass selection, fabrication, carpentry and installation.

My love of art glass began in my teenage years when I was taught how to build a lamp. I quickly became passionate about working with glass and it's various design possibilities. Over the years I trained one on one with several highly skilled glass artists from Canada, the US and Ireland. This valuable experience has served me well as a solo artist over the past twenty years, providing a unique level of expertise.

I assure quality craftsmanship at every stage of the project. My objective is for my clients to enjoy the design process and to get many years of enjoyment and a lift in their day every time they see the piece that they commissioned.