What size stained glass pieces give the most stability?
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I haven’t yet drawn the individual glass pieces on my pattern. What size glass pieces would give the piece the most strength and stability? It will be 2’x4’.
I don't know if the size of the glass pieces makes that much difference, it is more how they are attached to the glass and what you fill it in with that will stabilize it.
How about using stained glass paint and paint the stain glass pattern.
Its the metal that goes around each piece of glass and then the leading that gives it stability in stain glassing.
For a piece that size youll need to add some reinforcement strips inbetween the pieces. Also, from your pattern, it would be best if you add a seam from the mountain to the top so it stabilizes it vertically.
If you are framing it in metal before you put it up, you can probably get away without that.
Glass paints & your drawing will save you a ton of money. Tape your drawing up on the outside of the glass. Go back inside & using the black, trace your drawing. Using glass paints, fill in the colors. Remove the drawing. Let it dry overnight. Once dried, it will keep for a very long time. If you wanted to create a more detailed landscape, you can use a real picture & blend your colors. It's easily removable too if you ever wanna change up the scene by simply peeling it off the glass. Glass paints can also be used on mirrors, door panels with glass or plastic & clear cd & dvd disks to create suncatchers.
your pattern is really nice, but it is just begging to bending and fold and be unstable. Your long horizontal lines, while beautiful, are basically hinge points. You need to break them up, however minutely. You also need, as Melbrooks said, to put a line, or a couple of lines from the mountain tops to the edge, and add reinforcement line or rebar (either or both) throughout the panel. I am a stained glass artist and designer/instructor, so I'm not just blowing smoke. The size of the pieces does not determine stability or strength....that is determined by the design and how it is put together. Depending on reinforcement used, copper foil and solder is just as stable and strong as lead and putty. i just completed and installed an 8' x 3' window using copper foil and solder and lots of copper restrip and rebar. It withstood a direct hit by Hurricane Irma. It also had over 1500 pieces.
you are very welcome, Donna. Glad I could help. Just noticed that you live in SA. I have family there. I'd love to see the panel when you finish it.