Commissioning Custom Stained Glass Windows and Etched Glass

stained glass rendering animation

In order to introduce you to the steps involved in ordering a custom etched glass or stained glass windows, the following outline describes the nature and process of commissioning a unique piece of finely crafted stained glass. Stained glass is an art form that dates back a thousand years to pre-medieval Europe. Despite the many technological achievements since that time, the fabrication of stained glass windows is still done the same manual way, one piece at a time.

The Custom Stained Glass and Etched Glass Design Process

stained glass closeup

1. Schedule an initial complimentary consultation with one of our designers to ascertain your needs and to gather any pertinent information necessary to present you, usually within a day or two, a written preliminary quote. Often on site consultations with our designers are recommended. They will take field measurements and assess site specific design elements such as lighting, contextual design themes, and structural requirements.

2. Upon acceptance of the preliminary quote, which is subject to change pending approval of final design, we will require a 10% design retainer which is applicable to the final purchase price.

3. Within two to four weeks from the payment of a design retainer our design staff will have a scaled colored rendering of your commission ready for your review. At this time, a meeting will be scheduled at our studio to show you the rendering. Your designer will go over the design with you and present you with a palette of glass types to be employed in the project. At this time, a written final quote, based on the scaled rendering, will be given to you. Upon your acceptance of the quote and written approval of the design, we will require a 50% deposit. At this time you will be given an approximate time line for the fabrication of the commission, which in most cases will run from three to ten weeks depending on the scope of the work.

4. Upon the completion of the fabrication of your commission, we will invite you to view it at our studio. We will require payment of the balance due, before your work is picked up for installation. Under the laws of the State of California, we are categorized as a supplier, not a contractor. Consequently, we do not do installations. However, we can provide you with the names of a few subcontractors who have experience handling stained and etched glass installations. Be sure to obtain a written quote and explanation of what will be provided by the installer.

In addition, we also provide custom doors and / or entryways. We have a number of reputable manufacturers from whom we order our doors and entryways. If you wish us to design and quote a custom door or entryway we will require a $60.00 deposit (applicable to purchase price) to make a shop drawing for quoting purposes. Upon approval of the quote and shop drawing, a 50% deposit is payable. Generally, the timeline for the making of a custom door / entryway runs from 8 to 10 weeks, after which we begin the fabrication of the stained or etched glass that goes into it.

Be aware that aside from the expense to design and fabricate a custom door / entryway, you will have to pay for its installation, hardware (lock-set, door handles, etc.) and finishing (stain or paint). We will be happy to provide you with the names of professionals who can help you with these needs.