Stained glass comes in many different types, with a variety of appearances, production techniques, and uses. They can be divided into the following main categories:
- kodchaponhk
- May 26
- 4 min read
Updated: May 28
Common types of stained glass
Cathedral Glass
🔹Clear, colored, but see-through glass
🔹Smooth surface or with slight texture, such as: Ripple, Hammered
🔹Good light transmission, suitable for jobs that require light to shine through.
➡️ Often used in churches or skylights where you want colored light.
Opalescent Glass
🔹Opaque or semi-opaque glass with a swirling pattern from minerals in the glass, such as frosted, white, or cloudy.
🔹Mix multiple colors in one sheet, giving it a marble or cloud-like dimension.
🔹Less light passes through, giving a soft and warm feeling.
➡️Popularly used in Tiffany Lamps and decorative works.
Streaky Glass
🔹Glass that has been mixed with two or more colors to create flowing or swirling lines.
🔹Partially transparent, giving a flowing light effect.
➡️Suitable for art that emphasizes emotion and movement.
Textured Glass
🔹Glass with rough surfaces, with patterns on the surface, such as: Waterglass, Hammered, Ripple, Seedy
🔹Creates a slight blur that makes it difficult to see through but still allows light to pass through.
➡️Suitable for jobs that require privacy without being opaque.
Antique Glass (Hand-blown Glass)
🔹Antique blown glass is thin, light, has waves and small bubbles.
🔹Beautiful colors, unique charm, rare and expensive.
➡️Used for repairing old churches or premium handicrafts.
Flashed Glass
🔹Clear glass with a thin layer of color coating on top (only the surface is coated)
🔹Can be etched or scratched to create patterns.
➡️Used in art works that require detailed patterns.
Fused Glass
🔹Several sheets of stained glass are fused together in a furnace. (kiln)
🔹Create new patterns and textures freeform
➡️Popular in contemporary works or works that require dense and unusual textures. Popular in contemporary works or works that require dense and unusual textures.
Beveled Glass
🔹Clear glass with beveled edges to create prism-like reflections.
🔹It is not a colored glass, but it plays with light beautifully.
➡️Often used in combination with stained glass to add a play of light.
How to choose?
If you want beautiful light penetration: Cathedral / Streaky
If you focus on texture/turbidity: Opalescent / Textured
If you want a unique design: Fused / Flashed
If you like old and classic things: Antique / Seedy / Hand-blown
Let's see which types of stained glass are suitable for which applications, with easy-to-understand explanations. Suitable for those working with stained glass, interiors, or even contemporary art.
🧩 Uses of each type of stained glass
🟡 1. Cathedral Glass
🔹 Characteristics: Transparent, colored / some models have a little texture
🔹 Light: Good penetration, clear colors
✅ Suitable for:
Skylight / Window (for color light falling in the room), Church / Pavilion / Sacred area, Work that requires “real color light falling”, Retro cafe decoration
💡 Highlights:
Provides beautiful, classic lighting, suitable for quiet atmospheres and mood lighting.
⚪ 2. Opalescent Glass
🔹Characteristics: Opaque-opaque, multiple colors mixed in one sheet
🔹 Light: Some light can pass through, but not clearly.
✅ Suitable for:
Tiffany Lamp
Interior wall decoration (where light does not need to pass through) Doors / partitions / picture frames Mosaic / art that emphasizes texture
💡Highlights
: The glass texture has dimensions, the colors flow softly like pastel, suitable for warm atmospheres or fantasy.
🌊 3. Streaky Glass
🔹 Characteristics: Mix colors in a swirling pattern or a cross-colored line
🔹 Light: Some light passes through, with play of light and shadow
✅Suitable for:
Stained glass portraits/landscapes
Handmade wall panels, works that require the “emotion of a painting”
💡 Highlights:
The colors look like watercolor paintings, or the light moves, creating a good mood and story in the work.
🔸 4. Textured Glass
🔹 Characteristics: There are patterns or textures on the surface, such as waves, water drops, etc.
🔹 Light: Passable but slightly blurry
✅ Suitable for:
Room dividers / Sliding doors / Bathroom windows Lamps / Picture frame backdrops
Works that require privacy but still allow light to pass through
💡 Highlights:
Soft light, not harsh, has a playful effect when viewed closely or when the light changes
🟤 5. Antique Glass (Hand-blown)
🔹 Characteristics: Rough surface, wavy, small bubbles in the texture
🔹 Light: Good penetration, slight distortion
✅ Suitable for:
Old church repair / Old European glass Vintage design / Collection
Old world shop or hotel decoration
💡 Highlights:
Gives an ancient European feel with a unique natural texture.
🧪 6. Flashed Glass
🔹Characteristics: Clear glass with a thin layer of color on the surface
🔹 Light: Passable, color may be etched to create patterns
✅ Suitable for:
Acid-etching,
Grinding, work requiring detailed patterns on a single sheet, detailed portraits on glass
💡 Highlights:
You can “subtract” color to create patterns without adding more color, ideal for minimalist or graphic designs.
🔵 7. Fused Glass
🔹 Description: Multi-panel glass/color fused together in a furnace
🔹 Light: Depends on thickness and color used
✅ Suitable for:
Contemporary / Sculpture
Wall panels / Home decoration
Plate, bowl, glass tray (functional art)
💡 Highlights:
Gives an organic feel, unique patterns, unlike anyone else
✨ 8. Beveled Glass
🔹 Characteristics: Clear glass, beveled edges
🔹 Light: Refracted like a prism, reflecting a faint rainbow light
✅ Suitable for:
Luxury window/door frames
Adding sparkle to stained glass
Decoration items such as boxes, furniture
💡 Highlights:
The edges are polished to reflect light and sparkle, reflecting vintage luxury.
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