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Metairie, LA on Sep 27, 2011

I live in a 1930's Arts & Crafts bungalow that has a small window in the attic on the front of the house.

I thought it would look nice if I put a light behind the window to show off the colored panes. After much deliberation and execution, I decided to hang a 100 watt "squiggly" light bulb from the rafters in the attic about 6 feet from the window. I was most disappointed with the results. In daytime, it looked the same and, at night, there is only a very bright, off center, circle of light. The periphery of the window is obscure.

I thought of putting in a brighter spot light but was afraid of too much heat causing a fire.

Anybody have a suggestion as to how I can make my window glow like the stained glass windows in churches?

9 Comments

James A Roswell, GA

I don't think brighter is the answer. I would place the light underneath or above the stain glass so that the spot doesn't show. Maybe try a flourescent bulb or low wattage. You want to highlight the colors gently, not signal that the British are coming.

on Sep 27, 2011 · Like 1
Kevin M. Veler, Law Offic... Alpharetta, GA

I think James is right. Brighter is not the answer, you need some diffusion of the light would be my guess. Another thought would be one of those LED light ropes, out of sight around the outside of the window frame. Full disclosure: Lighting was not a course in law school so you may want to listen to the contractors who are better informed.

on Sep 27, 2011 · Like 0
Humphries Homes Decatur, GA

I live and work in Decatur where Craftsman style houses are very popular and we have done a few different things to make the light appear more even. We have used lexan or plexiglass that is frosted or opaque and cut out the shape of the window and nailed it in place behind the original glass. This has given us the best results but it is indeed pretty time consuming. I have heard of others using wax paper as well by placing it over the glass as well but not sure of the durability. I would ...»
for sure go with a lower wattage bulb and maybe try a wide beam flood. Good luck

on Sep 27, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

a 100 watt bulb is smoking hot...and it sucks up a lot of power ...aka $$$. A multi- element LED flood or a Florescent fixture will use far less power and run much much cooler. A sheet of frosted white glass can be set in front of the LED to diffuse the point nature of the light...You could set it up with a photo switch to turn on at dusk....even with a handful of bulbs set directly behind the window ...you will be competing with the gazillion gazillion watts of light from the ...»
sun....chances are it will never look like stained glass from the inside of the church during the day ( Remember in those cases...you are inside a dark place with the gazillion gazillion watts of the sun shining in towards you.)....you need the flip the balance of power.
a LED bulb like this will last a long long time.
http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-PAR38-White-...

on Sep 27, 2011 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

You can purchase on line or at several big box stores rope lights. Low voltage is safer, just need outlet to plug transformer in, wrap the light around the outside surface inside of the window, And as KMS said use a frosted glass or purchase the frosted stick on the window material that sticks like shelf paper but defuses light so you cannot see through it. (forgot what its called) We used it in our last home. Purchased it at Bed Bath and Beyond if memory serves me.

on Sep 28, 2011 · Like 0
Fe L Metairie, LA

Thanks to all for their suggestions regarding the illuminating of my attic colored glass window. I think that I will sew a panel of white fabric to fit on to two spring rods for curtains and put it into the window frame behind the panes. Maybe it will diffuse the light. I will use the 100 watt "squiggly". If that doesn't work, I will try a led spot light. What do you think? Fe

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

The fabric is a good idea...just be sure its not too close the the smoking hot light bulb....

on Oct 04, 2011 · Like 0
Elle Laverne Watson Aiken, SC

I have a stained glass window i made above the door to the stairs... i have a light right above it and it is very bright.

on Apr 19, 2013 · Like 0
Therese C Greenfield, IA

Maybe go down to a 40 watt bulb placed above the stained glass to give it a glow? I friend of mine used a blacklight bulb above her stained galss and it gave a very pretty, almost etheral glow. Either way, I think dimming the light may help you out much more.

on Apr 21, 2013 · Like 0