How do I build a stained glass water wall for my garden?

marilynjd5 - 2008-04-21 13:23:14 - Decorating Remodeling

I want to build the free standing wall from stained glass and then have the water flow over the stained glass into a container. I already work with stained glass. I need to know how to set up a stained glass panel so that I can have water flowing over it into a basin.

Best Answer:

You are building a water feature. The pump for circulating the water is available online under desktop fountains and water features. Unfortunately, the two most common methods of stained glass work, lead and copper foil, are going to be very unhappy being in water all the time as they will corrode and color the water. Normally stained glass windows are sealed to keep moisture out of the joints because of this corrosion. I think you have the following choices: 1. you can layout your patterns and fuse the glass. This will require tested compatible stained glass (Bullseye or Spectrum). http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/warmglas.htm#CLAYWTRFEA 2. You can glue the stained glass pieces to a sheet of flat glass then use black grout or black silicone sealant to give you the classic stained glass joint lines. E6000, GOOP or aquarium sealant should be checked out for immersion, etc. http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/glues.htm http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/glwater.htm 3. You can talk to people who do mosaics (which I never have) and find out what they use and how waterproof it is.

Answers:

Call your local college and ask about stain glasses classes. Stain glasses is a little tricky to do and takes practice... your first couple pieces might not be to perfect and may have cracks. Also if your a good reader and go with directions- try the craft store. Pearl art supplies and a lot of places on the web carry stain glass supplies. But trust me, practice makes perfect- you'll have to do some small simple pieces before you get good at it.

You are building a water feature. The pump for circulating the water is available online under desktop fountains and water features. Unfortunately, the two most common methods of stained glass work, lead and copper foil, are going to be very unhappy being in water all the time as they will corrode and color the water. Normally stained glass windows are sealed to keep moisture out of the joints because of this corrosion. I think you have the following choices: 1. you can layout your patterns and fuse the glass. This will require tested compatible stained glass (Bullseye or Spectrum). http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/warmglas.htm#CLAYWTRFEA 2. You can glue the stained glass pieces to a sheet of flat glass then use black grout or black silicone sealant to give you the classic stained glass joint lines. E6000, GOOP or aquarium sealant should be checked out for immersion, etc. http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/glues.htm http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/glwater.htm 3. You can talk to people who do mosaics (which I never have) and find out what they use and how waterproof it is.