Why is stained glass so expensive?
There are several reasons why stained glass is “expensive.” • Materials Cost of materials varies greatly from one manufacturer to the next; it also varies depending on color and texture. Some glass may cost $4-6 per square foot (Glue Chip, or Spectrum WaterGlass), while some can be as much as $15-25 per square foot (e.g., Uruboros fracture glass). The price depends on the materials and labor involved in producing a certain type of glass. For example, did you know that 24K gold is used to achieve the color in most red glass? • Craftsmanship Stained glass art involves skilled craftsmanship. It takes years of patience and practice to produce high quality work. Each manufacturer’s glass has unique quailities and behaviors, as well as colors and texture. A craftsman must become familiar with all the available materials and know how to combine and orchestrate them into a work of artistic merit. • Labor Building a stained glass panel is like creating a jigsaw puzzle. Each piece of glass must
