Stained Glass Film for Windows Decorative Self-adhesive, Colored Or with a Pattern: expert advice

Stained glass film is a simple and cheap way to decorate your interior. Real stained glass is fragile, so its manufacture requires a skilled craftsman and a solid budget. The film, in turn, will not only give the window originality and beauty, but will also make it stronger, and will also help in insulating the room.

Stained glass film on the door

Stained glass film bright

Features of decorative films

Stained glass film is usually made from vinyl, polyester or other materials. They consist of several layers. The first is decorative, and the second is paper. Thanks to the self-adhesive base, it is easy to stick to glass without additional tools or adhesive.

The most popular materials are those with a polyester base. Their main property is high strength, both in terms of tearing and in relation to the paint with which the material is coated. They are environmentally neutral, which means that they will not cause any harm to the environment or human health.

But there is also a decorative stained glass film that is significantly inferior in its quality characteristics to the previously mentioned material. This is a stained glass film made of polyvinyl chloride. It is less transparent, resulting in optical distortions. It is also very difficult to stick to the window due to its greater elasticity.

Important! Stained glass material made from polyvinyl chloride contains a harmful substance, vinyl chloride, which can be harmful to health.

The cost of such stained glass film depends on the quality. There are Russian and foreign stained glass analogues, which differ in prices. There is no point in paying too much for such decorative material, since the design can quickly become boring and you will want to change it. It’s better to buy something budget-friendly and have the opportunity to replace stained glass windows depending on a change in the interior or your mood. But more expensive stained glass films have a long service life, which is important if the owner does not want to re-glue the stained glass window frequently.

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Installation of self-adhesive stained glass

The first thing to consider is that it will be easier to apply a high-quality design on a horizontal surface. If possible, vertically located glass should be removed.

Advice! The stained glass film will stick to a curved surface without wrinkles if you heat it well with a hairdryer.

Glass with sharp corners is processed as follows: the coating is cut on both sides of the corner and slightly tucked inward.

There are several other ways to apply stained glass film:

decorated glass is inserted into a double-glazed window between the existing panes;
The laminated glass is secured to the surface of the window with a colorless sealant or glue.

So, the glass is positioned horizontally and laid on a flat, hard surface (for example, on a table). Now it needs to be washed. It is not recommended to use chemicals containing abrasives and aggressive components for cleaning. A small amount of them may remain on the glass, which will reduce the performance of the adhesive. It is better to wash windows with warm water and a little soap. This should be done with a lint-free cloth – microfiber.

Dried glass is degreased with ethyl alcohol. It is better not to use other means - acetone, gasoline, white spirit dissolve the material from which the stained glass film is made.

Lay out the canvas with the pattern inward - centimeter markings are applied to the backing, this makes cutting easier. Under the metal ruler, the self-adhesive stained glass film is cut to the required size. It is necessary to cut with a very sharp stationery knife or blade so that there are no burrs.

Along the entire length, turn the edge of the canvas to a width of 5-10 cm and apply it to the glass. Using a roller, rubber spatula or damp rag, the self-adhesive film is leveled using movements from the center to the edges.

Gradually remove the backing, gluing the stained glass completely. The remaining bubbles are pierced with a needle and leveled.

Recommendation! If it is impossible to dismantle the glass, soapy water will help make installation of the stained glass film easier.

Use a spray bottle to apply water with a few drops of liquid soap to the surface of the window. Apply the film, driving out excess moisture and air with a rubber wallpaper roller. This way the glue does not set immediately, making it much easier to eliminate errors.

Necessary materials

Rice. 4. reels with lead tape

The manufacturing technology of film stained glass is quite simple. The materials, despite the unusual names, can be purchased in a huge number of online stores, as well as in some craft stores. When choosing any of the components, it is necessary to take into account the nuances of creating a future stained glass window. Outwardly, it looks worse than the classic variation, so a high-quality imitation can only be made with the right materials.

Glass

Rice. 5. glass with applied stained glass film

Film stained glass is made on glass. It is best to use a glossy surface, as it glides well and is ideal for smoothing cut out film elements. However, experienced craftsmen are able to perform procedures even on frosted and embossed glass.

When working on your own, you should start with a smooth surface. Although the film should follow all the contours of the surface on which it is placed, in the case of a relief texture it is difficult for the master to smooth it so as to remove air from the middle and not leave bubbles, which will look unsightly and shorten the service life of the application.

Stained glass film

Rice. 6. part of the stained glass film catalog

There are quite a few manufacturers of stained glass film that offer a wide selection of this material. Only experienced professionals will notice the difference in quality. The main emphasis is on catalog diversity. The film is:

Monochromatic, while the possible range is not limited;
Textured to imitate relief, splashes of water, and so on;
With a color transition, either two colors with different “patterns” or several at once can be combined.

The film is sold in sheets, from which you need to cut out the desired element. The material is quite thin and elastic, but durable, so it is difficult to tear it with your hands.

The film is coated with a special solution. The composition reduces the negative impact of ultraviolet rays on the material. As a result, the paint does not fade or deform.

Self-adhesive lead film

Rice. 7. pressing the lead tape outline

Self-adhesive lead film is an outline. The most commonly used product is black, although lighter options can be selected. The lead tape imitates the metal strands that held multi-colored glass in the traditional version of stained glass.

Please note that the lead tape is quite dense, so after gluing it to the touch the glass will become embossed. You can understand the boundaries of the drawing even with your eyes closed.

Facets (bavels)

Rice. 8. film stained glass with facets of different processing styles

Facets are thin glass processed in a special way. It can be classified as a textured variety. However, there are several features. Facets are also called lenses. They are made only from transparent glass. After processing the material, a funny pattern is obtained that can be compared to frosty patterns on a window. In combination with a matte film and non-draped parts, bevels look very unusual.

When sunlight passes through the facets, it breaks, so there will be rainbow highlights on the opposite wall. Bavels are the most amazing way of invoicing. Thanks to its unusual appearance, it is popular.

Bavel is glued only on the outer side of the surface. They are always colorless, as they take on their texture. However, you can make the finished display in color by attaching a colored film to the back of the glass. In this case, the texture of the bavels will still remain clearly visible, but color will be added.

Auxiliary Tools

Rice. 9. creation of film stained glass

To work with the application you will need:

Several pairs of scissors. If possible, you can use art scissors to create unique patterns from the film. If your work skills are less advanced, then regular sharp scissors will be required.
Lead tape knife. Please note that it must be sharp and thin enough so that it can be used not only to cut the tape, but also to cut an intricate part from it.
Rubber roller for laying lead tape.
Wide rubber wringer for laying the bulk of the film.
Several clamps for the ends of the lead tape.
A spray bottle with water so that the film comes into easy contact with the glass.

It's also a good idea to have a tripod on which you can attach a reel of lead tape. This optimizes the process of working with false glass.

Processing means

Rice. 10. glass degreasing agent

Before working with glass, it will need to be cleaned. To do this, you will need any product with degreasing properties. It is best to take a special glass cleaner without silicone, otherwise the film will not stick. You can use water with a few drops of dish soap.

In professional circles, an oxidizing liquid is used, which is applied to the lead circuit. This coating provides protection from environmental influences and can sometimes change the color of the tape. The latter effect is often used to create an antique effect.

Classification of stained glass films for windows

There are several classification criteria by which the types of stained glass film can be divided into groups. One of the possible options related to functional characteristics was given above. In addition to it, the following two signs are most often used, dividing stained glass windows into varieties.

According to its properties

All stained glass films can be divided according to their properties into:

transparent (or colorless) and opaque. Transparent ones, as a rule, imitate the corrugated structure of frosted glass; their pattern is barely noticeable, visually reminiscent of frost. Opaque films can be of absolutely any color combination, for example, imitating bright multi-colored original stained glass windows with characteristic lead dividing stripes. Various drawings of animals and plants, as well as reproductions of paintings by famous artists, are popular. The modern level of technology allows you to apply photos of relatives or loved ones to the coating. In other words, the number of options is almost innumerable and is limited only by the customer’s imagination;
matte, textured or three-dimensional. Based on the name, stained glass films are distinguished by the quality and elaboration of the texture of the pattern or design applied to them.

Rice. 3. Textured stained glass film.

By method of application

According to the method of use, stained glass films are divided into two groups:

blank matrices. They are designed for cutting out individual elements that make up a drawing or pattern that is created using the appliqué method;
canvases with a finished pattern on the entire glass. They are purchased ready-made according to the size of the glass to be finished.

Rice. 4. Stained glass film for all glass.

Ideas for creativity

There are several ways to cut the film into mosaic pieces. If it is transparent, place a drawing under it and trace it with a pencil or thin pen. Also, for stained glass, you can use some additives of opaque film, then these details are cut out from the picture as if through stencils, or transferred through carbon paper. Film stained glass is also convenient to use with illumination from below. At home, the glass should be placed on a frame with a stand on an elevated surface, and a lamp should be placed underneath.

Stained glass with geometric shapes is always relevant and easier to make. It will fit into many types of interior. Will add color to plain, light apartments. They can be used to decorate smooth flat glass lampshades, make a backlit picture, decorate a furniture façade that was previously transparent and thus hide the contents of cabinets.

Types of film coating

The appearance of the window will depend on what type of film was used during the renovation work.

Stained glass window sticker

Stained glass film blue

Vinyl

Polyvinyl chloride is one of the cheapest plastics that is used everywhere. It is used to make packaging, is used in construction (for example, to create wallpaper with pictures), and to make synthetic fabrics. This film has its advantages:

Cheapness. Vinyl is an inexpensive and very common material.
Beauty. There are many varieties of plastic stained glass film. Huge selection of shapes, colors, patterns.

Stained glass film on the staircase window

Stained glass film with flowers on the window

However, it is not entirely of high quality. It has more disadvantages than advantages:

Fragility. Short service life. After a few years, the window fades, and the film changes shape and swells.
Difficulty of care. Aggressive chemicals are contraindicated; you will have to use only those recommended for plastic.
Distortions. Of course, the colored coating changes the view from the window, but vinyl also makes it disproportionate and distorted.
Difficulties in pasting. Vinyl film is usually already coated with adhesive, but because it is thin and light, it is difficult to smooth it out without leaving bubbles.

This coating is a good temporary solution. But you should always take into account that after a couple of years the film will have to be changed.

Stained glass film with plant pattern

Stained glass film for French windows

Polyester

Polyester is also a plastic used in construction. It is used to make fabrics, packaging and even mattress fillings. It differs from vinyl in better quality. However, it also has pros and cons. The advantages are as follows:

Durability. Many companies producing polyester film promise a service life of at least 25 years.
Sustainability. The product is not afraid of changes in temperature, humidity and aggressive chemical care products. It is difficult to tear, and glass coated with film is difficult to break.
Beauty. Bright and multi-colored, it provides good and clear images without distortion.

Polyester has one main disadvantage - the price. A film made from it costs several times more than a vinyl product.

Stained glass film yellow

Stained glass film for windows in the living room

Sun protection

If the renovation is being undertaken in a house with long daylight hours, where the sun constantly peers through the windows, it would be wise to use a sun protection product. It:

will muffle the sun's rays, so there will be no need to use curtains, and colored light will dazzle the eyes much less;
will reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation (relevant if the room is covered with material sensitive to UV rays or there are pots of flowers in it).

The protective film usually has a dark tint with a metallic tint. This is due to the fact that a layer of metal is applied on top of the plastic. You won’t be able to find a transparent option, but you can choose a weak (inconspicuous) steel tone. They also decorate the room with gold solar control film.

Stained glass film for a plastic window

Stained glass film for kitchen window

Self-adhesive

There are two varieties of this product, which need to be glued differently. This:

with water-soluble adhesive (attached to wet glass);
on an anhydrous basis (glue on a dry window).

The first type is more difficult, the second is simpler. However, they are both self-adhesive.

Silver stained glass film

Stained glass film on the living room window

Stained glass film white

Types of films by type of pasting

There are films that are applied to the wet surface of glass. In this case, the decorative coating itself is also moistened with water. First, apply the upper edge of the workpiece to the surface, smoothing down the entire canvas with a smooth downward movement.

Stained glass film on bedroom windows

There are also products that are equipped with an adhesive surface. The protective paper layer is removed from the film and carefully applied to the glass. Using a dry towel, carefully level the film, eliminating any remaining adhesive and possible defects.

Stained glass film in the interior

To this day, stained glass windows are in great demand. However, a prefabricated structure made of different glasses, soldered using a special method, is a luxury even for relatively wealthy people, and stained glass is simply not available to the main, poorer layer of the people.

But high technologies cannot be called high when they do not bring enormous benefits to people. Thus, today many expensive finishing materials can be replaced with inexpensive polymer analogues that are visually absolutely identical to the original ones. Artificial stone, plastic parquet, gold leaf gilding and stained glass film. It will not visually arouse suspicion about the authenticity of the stained glass, although in reality it is only an imitation.

However, imitations of real materials almost always cause dissatisfaction and suspicion. Thus, artificial stone is considered short-lived, gold is considered harmful, and all sins are blamed on polymers. But it should be remembered that today all technical and sanitary services that supervise the quality and safety of goods are in favor of the environmental friendliness of materials. Therefore, you can buy stained glass film completely fearlessly.

In reality, polyester film is not threatened by almost all negative factors, including high humidity and ultraviolet rays. The film does not lose color at all for many years and does not peel off from the glass surface. The strength of glass covered with film does not decrease, since the film weighs little and does not weigh it down.

Stained glass film, in addition to a chic aesthetic appearance, will also give you safety and also strengthen the glass. If the glass base is broken in any way, the sharp shards will be held in place. If the glass is acrylic, tempered or otherwise, which has increased strength, then this strength will additionally increase from the film.

Self-adhesive stained glass film adheres perfectly to the glass; it will be almost impossible to peel it off. In case of detachment, if it really happens, there is no need to panic. Specialists will quickly restore its beauty by selecting a film identical to yours and restoring the original design.

Stained glass film harmonizes with absolutely any room. This could be a kitchen, bedroom, office, living room and perhaps a bathroom. It is durable and incredibly reliable, easy to apply and easy to maintain. The film lasts 10-15 years, but the price is the envy of a real stained glass window.

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Leading manufacturers of stained glass film

Rice. 13. stained glass film

Stained glass film is the main component for creating colored mosaics, so its choice should be taken with particular seriousness. It is best to turn to products from well-known manufacturers, which are convenient to order via the Internet. Such companies often provide a guarantee for their products, indicating the service life of the material, during which it will not lose its original appearance.

Decra Led

Rice. 14. Decra Led logo

Decra Led is an English company that is credited with inventing film stained glass technology. It was here that they began to create film in the 50s of the last century. Not only stained glass, but also lead. In fact, the company created film stained glass technology from scratch and introduced it to the masses. To this day, the company maintains the brand and remains in the TOP of the most popular brands of products for creating stained glass windows from film.

Only high-quality materials are used in production, which allows us to provide a guarantee on the finished product. Products from this company will not crack in the cold or float in the heat. They do not deform during use, and they can be washed with ordinary detergents. Although when gluing, you cannot use products containing silicone, to which the stained glass will not stick.

3M

Rice. 15. 3M logo

ZM, or the Scotchcal brand, is a company producing graphic films primarily for outdoor use: display cases, displays, stands. The company gained its popularity due to the minimum requirements when gluing on glass. In most cases, creating stained glass is possible only at a temperature of at least +10 degrees. This is the optimal temperature for working with water and self-adhesive film. However, products from 3M offer the ability to work at temperatures from 4 degrees above 0. At the same time, working at such a temperature will not affect the quality of stained glass in any way.

DC-fix

Rice. 16. DC-Fix logo

The DC-Fix company is located in Germany and produces high-quality multi-layer stained glass film. Thanks to the four-layer technology, the finished product is resistant to adverse weather conditions, temperature changes and mechanical damage. This structure allows you to significantly expand the list of available colors and textures. The film from this manufacturer is a successful tandem of high quality and variety.

KT-Exclusive

Rice. 17. logo KT-Exclusive

KT-Exclusive is known primarily as a manufacturer of wall coverings. These are paper and fabric wallpapers. However, the company does not limit itself in the use of materials, so it relatively recently introduced stained glass film into production. In just a few years, the concern was able to achieve high sales results, thanks to the high quality of the product and reasonable cost of the product.

Armolan

Rice. 18. Armolan logo

Armolan is an American company that focuses on window films, although stained glass mosaics can be applied to other surfaces. This is one of the largest concerns in the world, and the manufacturer not only provides a guarantee for the film for pseudo-stained glass, but also periodically patents new methods for modernizing production. One example is a protective compound that is applied over the product to prevent scratches from accidental mechanical impact. A special anti-fading coating has also been developed here. The company's products can withstand temperatures up to +80 and -40, so the picture on the glass will not peel off due to bad weather conditions.

We decorate walls and ceilings

Decorative synthetic films for walls and ceilings will help you diversify your interior with little effort. These include large-sized canvases and small decorative stickers.

They can be used to decorate both smooth painted walls and those covered with wallpaper. Small fragments will enliven the room, accentuate any area, and add individuality.

Ceilings can be decorated similarly to walls.

Modern films are durable and have moisture-resistant qualities, so they can be used even in damp rooms. Self-adhesive film for the bathroom will help you easily change your boring interior without changing the tiles.

The pattern is cut into fragments according to the size of the tile and pasted onto it. The walls will look new. If desired, the film can be easily removed and replaced with a new one.

Advantages of film stained glass windows

The pattern created by transparent self-adhesive stained glass film with an ornament is an alternative to the composition of glass pieces made using Tiffany technology.

At the same time, this pattern has undoubted advantages:

Strength. Instead of glass fragments, special films with many shades are used in stained glass windows made of self-adhesive material.
Aesthetic appearance. Often, counterfeit stained glass using film material is visually indistinguishable from glass ornamentation.
Variety of design options. The colored ornament pleases with its colors; in addition, the stained glass canvas can be imitated by patination of the joints, which makes the pattern even more attractive.
Ease of execution. Creating stained glass windows from a beautiful film is many times simpler than creating compositions from glass in the Tiffany style, respectively, and the cost of products also differs several times.

In essence, this is a complete architectonics that only needs to be applied to the glass.

After the stained glass film has been glued to the window, the design in the room will be supplemented with a real ornament, which is visually no different from the “real” stained glass pattern.

The disadvantages of stained glass films on windows include:

Fire hazard of the canvas;
With all color shade options, the material lags behind natural stained glass in both strength and appearance of the application.

Removing film coating from glass

There are cases when the canvas lays skewed when gluing and does not cover the required surface. To correct the situation, you need to clearly understand how to remove the stained glass film from the glass.

There are several options for this:

Glue the fabric onto the soap solution.
Heat it with a hair dryer, then lift one end and carefully remove it.
Remove the glass along with the film and place in warm water. After a few minutes of soaking, the material can be easily removed.
Using a solvent. Wet the cotton wool, lift one side of the canvas and drop liquid under it. Gradually, centimeter by centimeter, it should come off the glass.

How to hide a crack in glass with stained glass film

Sometimes you need to hide accidental chips or minor damage to the glass without removing it. To do this, you need to put tape on both sides of the crack and then glue the film material.

Features of use during repairs

An ideal stained glass coating can only be created if there are no cracks or chips on the glass surface. If replacing the entire glass is not practical, try restoring it using tape and self-adhesive tape. Self-adhesive stained glass will strengthen the surface and help preserve the glass until the next repair.

To hide a crack on a glass surface, take clear tape and cut small pieces. Their dimensions should be slightly larger than the area of the crack or chip. Try to work carefully so as not to destroy the adhesive layer.

Place pieces of tape over the cracks on both sides and smooth with a dry, lint-free cloth. After restoration, the surface will be ready for application of self-adhesive stained glass. Don't forget to clean the glass first, otherwise the tape won't stick.

Application in the design of different rooms

To modernize the design, you can glue stained glass film to a specific part. They are used to decorate glass entrance doors (in a store or office) so that the visitor from the inside can appreciate the originality of the design. Interior doors can be combined with identical film stained glass windows or glued with different patterns made in the same color scheme.

You can get rid of excess light with the help of colored stained glass windows.

Advice If there is insufficient natural light, a transparent coating with a cloudy surface will be suitable, which will look unusual.

Resistance to household chemicals and other aggressive substances

An unobtrusive decor without bright colors and large patterns is suitable for the bedroom. Here you can play with a gradient of texture, shades, and transparency . In the hall, guests will be attracted by the windows decorated with large flowers or bright images. Repeating elements will look impressive.

The theme of vegetables, fruits, and products is selected for the kitchen. To add light to the room, the choice is orange and yellow stained glass.

Coverings with a religious theme and a reproduction of a painting by the artist will add solidity to the cabinet. In offices, they often stick a plain film or add advertising.

Resistance to sudden changes in humidity and temperature

Selection of stained glass film for windows

Preparing to stick the film

is predetermined by the purpose of the room in which stained glass windows will be created.

Of course, the pictures on the stained glass windows in the living room can and should differ from the pictures on the stained glass windows in the bedroom or study. A special feature is the stained glass windows in the kitchen.

Glass structures in the kitchen are not just windows. These could be glass tile “aprons” around the sink, or screens separating the work area from the dining area. All of these glazing options are more than suitable for covering them with stained glass film.

Film stained glass window in antique style

In general, the purpose of stained glass windows in an apartment is to make the home more comfortable and aesthetically attractive. To one degree or another - inaccessible to prying eyes.

Stained glass film increases the resistance of windows to vandalism: when hit by, say, a stone or an iron rod, the film prevents the scattering of glass fragments and reduces the likelihood of injury to the occupants of the home.

In addition, there are options for stained glass films for windows that block infrared rays, preventing the room from overheating in the summer. There are also films with a noise-absorbing effect, etc.

Self-gluing stained glass

After purchase, the stained glass window is installed on the glass. It is important to make a reservation here that it is easier to apply a design on a horizontal surface, so if possible, it is better to remove the vertical frames.

Advice! If the surface of the window is made in the form of an arch or simply has curves, then the film will lie on it ideally if it is preheated with a hairdryer.

For glass with sharp corners, it is necessary to cut the self-adhesive film on both sides and bend it slightly inward. Let's look at ways of gluing decorative film to a window:

Already decorated glass is installed in a ready-made double-glazed unit between the main glasses.
Attaching shaped glass to the window using transparent sealant or glue.

So, installation of the film begins with removing the glass. It must be laid on a perfectly flat surface and washed. It is prohibited to use aggressive and abrasive detergents. This is due to the fact that a small part of their components may remain on the surface, which will reduce the technical and quality characteristics of the adhesive. It is better to wash windows with warm soapy water. All manipulations are performed with a microfiber cloth.

After this, the glass is allowed to dry naturally and degreased by lubricating it with ethyl alcohol. All other substances, for example, white spirit, acetone, gasoline and others, can damage the surface of the subsequently applied film.

The self-adhesive stained glass canvas is laid so that the pattern is on the inside. To make cutting easier, there are centimeter marks on the reverse side. The required dimensions are measured, and the film is divided with a sharp stationery knife or blade to avoid unevenness.

Along the entire length, the edge of the canvas is folded back approximately 5 - 10 cm and applied to the glass. Using a rubber spatula, roller or damp cloth, the film is leveled from the middle to the edges. The excess paper is gradually removed, thereby the stained glass window is completely glued. If bubbles are observed on the surface, they are pierced with a needle and leveled.

In some versions of stained glass films, the kit includes a special lead self-adhesive tape, which is used to seal the joints between parts of the pattern. It is applied along the contours and on the reverse side to create a volumetric effect.

Advice! If the glass cannot be removed, it is easier to stick the film on using soapy water.

For this method, a solution of water with the addition of a few drops of liquid soap is applied to the glass with a spray bottle. The film is gradually glued to the glass, expelling excess moisture and air with a rubber spatula. This method is very convenient because, thanks to the wet surface of the glass, the glue will not set immediately and the craftsman will have the opportunity to correct any defects.

How to glue stained glass film?

The procedure for gluing the surface will depend on the type of stained glass film base. Ideally, the product should be accompanied by step-by-step instructions, but if there is no detailed description of the sticker, use the algorithms below.

Set of tools:

a scraper for working with glass (an aquarium one will do);
several rubber spatulas with narrow and wide working surfaces;
roulette;
non-metallic ruler;
stencil knife;
spray bottle with fine spray;
microfiber cloth (or other lint-free material);
household or construction hair dryer.

How to glue waterless film:

Wash and degrease your hands thoroughly, or better yet, wear rubber gloves to avoid leaving greasy marks on the glass.
Clean the surface for gluing - remove debris, dust, dirt.
Treat the glass with a soapy solution made from shampoo. At the last stage, try to thoroughly remove all soap stains.
Carry out the final treatment using an aquarium scraper - the glass should be spotlessly clean and dry.
15 minutes before gluing, degrease the surface with acetone and let dry.
When decorating a wooden window, first remove 3 glazing beads - leave the fourth so that the glass does not fall out.
Take glass measurements.
Place the self-adhesive on a flat surface and mark the backing according to the measurements taken.
Add 5-10 mm on each side for allowances and carefully cut with a stencil knife.
With the same knife, separate the film backing by 2-3 cm in width.
Place the sheet with the adhesive side on the glass, starting to decorate the surface from the top and left corner.
Smoothing the outer layer of self-adhesive with a narrow spatula, continue to peel off the backing and adhere the film to the glass.

At the last stage, you may need the help of an assistant who will slowly pull back the edge of the stained glass window, removing the backing. In this case, the first master must carefully press the film against the glass with a rubber spatula, step by step displacing air bubbles. It is prohibited to remove the entire backing at once, otherwise you will not get a smooth, even surface of the stained glass window.

How to glue film with a water-soluble base:

Clean the surface under the stained glass window from debris and dust.
Take measurements, mark the stained glass film and cut out the blank. For this type of material, allowances are increased to 15 mm on each side.
Prepare a solution from dishwashing liquid or shampoo - 1 ml of product per 200 ml of water will be enough. It is important that the mixture is colorless.
Fill a spray bottle with soap solution, shake well and spray onto the glass in an even, thin layer.
Roll the stained glass blank cut out with allowances and attach the free part to the upper edge of the glass.
Have a helper hold the roll and roll it out slowly.
Press the self-adhesive firmly onto the glass, removing air with a wide spatula.
Remove excess soap solution with a dry soft cloth.
Dry the pasted surface with a hairdryer, carefully blowing each area.

At the end of the work, cut off the excess film, replace the glazing beads and wipe again with a soft cloth or a dry piece of suede.

Caring for stained glass

As a rule, in original stained glass windows, lead partitions are used to separate the elements of the design. They trap dust and dirt, which makes proper maintenance difficult. For self-adhesive decorative film, everything is much simpler. Cleaning is carried out using both dry and wet methods. The main thing to remember is to avoid the use of abrasives and solvents.

Advice! Ideal options for cleaning would be soapy water, light gels, liquid soap, and glass spray.

Features of stained glass canvas and its application

The structure of the film blocks the sun's rays differently, depending on the material. It can be in the form of a colored stained glass film, or very light with an elegant openwork pattern.

The film coating is reliably preserved on the surface due to special polyethylene “mylar”, which is a transparent connecting element and allows the canvas to adhere tightly to the glass and maintain its configuration.

Thanks to this “protection”, when hit, the glass does not fly apart in different directions. In this regard, stained glass film is often used to transform the design, decorating doors between rooms, as well as on glass partitions.

There are many varieties of such fabric, and each of this series is used in several compositions. For example, experts recommend applying matte stained glass film to glass doors and shower cabins.

Colored materials look great on windows, and light films with a light pattern transform simple mirrors into elegant decorations, forming a real imitation of an ornament.

Stained glass film with a pattern is distinguished by its water resistance, which is why it is often used on the partition in the bathroom, and matte white stained glass film is used on shower doors.

In summer, to protect yourself from the hot rays of the sun, one of the popular and inexpensive ways is to glue decorative material to the glass.

To reliably know how to decorate windows on a loggia with stained glass film, you need to take into account that these coatings are divided into four types, and which one to choose depends on the taste of the owner. Depending on how to stick the stained glass film, inside or outside, the illumination on the loggia will be determined.

Stained glass film for wooden doors is a design that allows you to create a certain compositional style and achieve the greatest balance in the interior.

As you can see, the use of stained glass film fabric is varied. It can be used on windows, partitions and doors. But no matter where it is used, after its application the interior of the room changes dramatically. Using films, you can create truly extravagant compositions, imitating stained glass technology at the lowest cost.

Watch the video that tells you how to stick stained glass film on a window and what you need for this:

Where can the film be used?

Decorative film that imitates stained glass compositions can be used in different ways and in different locations. These are not always kitchen and dining room windows. The most popular options for imitation stained glass:

Pasting apartment windows on 2/3 and 3/4 of the entire canvas. This method is relevant for apartments located on the ground floor, as well as for the private sector, in order to hide from prying eyes without using heavy textiles;
Decorating balconies and loggias allows you to improve the location and make the exterior more colorful and modern. Light penetrates in sufficient quantities, but visibility from the street into the apartment becomes minimal;
Complementing the interior of the bathroom and toilet. Very often these rooms are equipped with small windows that can be covered with decorative film;
Imitation of stained glass and complex patterns on any transparent surfaces (acrylic glass walls, panoramic windows, glass fragments of a greenhouse, transparent doors).

The decor of glass niches in large country apartments looks especially elegant. If the house has transparent partitions or double-glazed windows connecting the first and second floors, they can also be decorated with film.

Stained glass film on a glass door

In fact, any idea can be easily translated into reality. The main thing is to choose a quality product and carefully approach the installation process.

Stained glass film on a bathroom window

Stained glass film on decorative windows

Apartment decoration

Classic stained glass has a complex structure, which is soldered using a special technology. Glued multi-colored elements are assembled into whole pictures or a specific pattern. Despite its prestige, the technology is expensive. It also looks out of place in small apartments. For this it is more profitable to use special material.

An alternative to stained glass is film material

High-quality polymers correctly glued to the glass surface will look respectable and unusual. Compared to classic stained glass, they are more profitable and practical. In small rooms, the decor can be complemented by curtains on the windows and placed key accents. In spacious country buildings, such a unique, spectacular decoration can be used for panoramic windows; glass partitions and entire walls are created from it. Such complex decor can transform the surrounding space.