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FAQ'S

Southwest Ohio Art Glass is a Division of Scorpion Capital Group Inc. located here in Miamisburg, Ohio. It is the most sought-after stained glass artisans in the region. Our artists are a husband and wife team, Don & Lu Ann Saunders, who have been working together for more than 30 years, producing stunning pieces of stained glass art. Moreover, we combine the finest quality materials with old-world techniques and American craftsmanship to produce shimmering works. You won’t find more beautiful stained glass pieces anywhere!

In fact, Southwest Ohio Art Glass is your most trusted resource for supplies, restorations, repairs, and handcrafted stained glass works. In addition, our projects can encompass the use of copper foil, lead or zinc came, while incorporating the use of other medias such as, beveling, etching, and curved bent glass with an eye for design and engineering that is evident in each piece. Furthermore, you can count on our reliable stained glass artists for complete service from the design all the way to installation in your home, business, or church no matter how large or small your project is.

Whether you know exactly what you’re looking for or would like help with the design, we can make sure to create something that will be loved and enjoyed for generations. Evidently, we carefully and conscientiously complete each project with attention to detail and respect for this time-honored art. Certainly, you won’t find more beautiful, quality stained glass pieces anywhere, we are sure of it!

When you give us a call, you will be connected directly to our owners, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry.
So don’t wait. Call now!

There are (9) nine stages in creating a personalized piece of stained glass:
 
1. Design Stage
The client may have a design in mind, or drawn, or our artist can assist the client in coming up with an original design for their stained-glass piece. Once a design is chosen, a sketch is done so that the glass selections can occur.
 
2. Glass Selection
The client will come to the studio and start the glass selection. With hundreds of glass colors and texture to choose from, we first must take a few considerations which may affect the look and feel of the project. Such as, the glass colors (opalescent, cathedrals), textures, location where it will be installed (sunlight), interior décor, exterior look etc.
At this point, the client will pay a deposit to start the project. The deposit is used to purchase glass, cement, glazing, foil or lead came or any other supply item needed to complete the project.
 
3. Full Size Patterns is Drawn
The project is drawn to size and doubled check for correct measurements before the first piece of glass is cut.
 
4. Cutting the Glass
Each piece of glass is cut precisely, within 1/32” so that the project will fit tightly together. All cuts are done by hand.
 
5. Assemble the Pieces 
If lead came is used to assemble the project; you must start at the bottom and work upward. Moreover, each piece of glass is put together through use of a H channel lead came. Furthermore, each piece of glass is inserted to the channels and nailed into place using horseshoe nails. Then, the solder of joints is next.
 
If using copper foil, each piece of glass needs to be wrapped and put in place, so the soldering process is started.
 
6. Soldering
 If lead came is being used, each joint which has been precisely mitred is soldered together using a soldering flux called OELIC Acid. Then, a small amount of solder is applied to all joints.
If copper foil is being used, the copper foil is covered with RUBY Fluid so that a ‘bead of solder’ is created. Therefore, a hot soldering iron and steady hand is required in this process.
After one side is completed, it is turned over and repeated again.
 
7.Cementing / Patina
 A special recipe of putty, linseed oil, turpentine, plaster of paris and whiting is mixed and is applied to all areas; front and back. This strengthens the project as well as sound proofs it. More importantly, if brace bars needed for additional strength, it is done at this stage.
No cementing is required for copper foil, but a coat of Patina is used to antique the silver solder look.
 
8.Cleaning
 At this stage the project is complete, a good cleaning is required so the glass and bevels sparkle.
 
9.Installation
 Finally, your project is installed by our senior artist to your specifications. Balance of the project is paid by the client.

The national average cost to commission a custom stained glass window or hanging ranges from $90 to up to $600 or $700 per square foot; depending on complexity, size and installation. Here at Southwest Ohio Art Glass, our work modestly priced and highly affordable.

Since stained glass is still a handmade process, it can take quite some time to create your piece. As an estimate, a stained glass window can take upwards to seven to ten weeks depending on the complexity and size of your project.

Stained glass is used for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons people choose to get stained glass work is to minimize light and bring in beautiful colors into their home or to tell a store. Evidently, stained glass work originated thousands of years ago and was most commonly used to tell stories in churches and other sacred places.

There are different types of stained glass sheets that can be used based on the purpose you want your stained glass to serve.
First, if the purpose of your stained glass is to maximize light and color within your home, the stained glass sheet you want is Cathedral or German New Antique since they are transparent. Moreover, Cathedral and German New Antique glass sheets are very easy to cut out, where Cathedral glass typically comes in one color and German New Antique comes in a variety of colors to choose from.
On the other hand, if you want to limit the amount of light that gets into your home, the best stained glass sheet to go with is either Opalescent or Semi-Opaque since you cannot see through it directly. In addition, these stained glass sheets are commonly used for pieces such as lamps and wall art.