I am scratch building a church for the garden R.R. and need a source for stain glass windows.

I'm sure that someone else out there has built a church and might have an idea or two.

Thanks in advance for any help.

~Dick Thomas

I had Office Max make color transparencies from a book of Tiffany Stained Glass Window postcards. I built sleeves of UV protective lucite to place them in and these are glued to the inside of the walls of the church in place of the windows which came in the kit. By leaving the top of the sleeve open and the transparency longer than necessary I will be able to replace them if they fade. The copy size can be adjusted, during the transfer process, to fit the size requirements. Copies for sizing purposes are cheaper if on paper before the final copy on transparency. Mine have been in the weather only about six to eight weeks so I can't vouch for the ability to withstand the sun, yet.

Good luck.

Dick,
There are several options for your windows. If you want them to be fairly simple, check out the Church Window sheet from Precision Products. They're vacuum formed sheets of both side windows and a large window for behind the pulpit area. Also on the sheet are church doors and louvers for the belltower. The windows can be colored as desired with any of the stained glass paints found in craft stores for painting on glass. If you want windows with more detail, either use large photo transparencies or go to a Kinko's type place and have them make you some color laser prints on transparency film. They are commonly used for overhead transparencies and may fit your needs. Fading in the sun and weather will be the biggest problem. Precision Products sheets have UV inhibitors in them and I've had great luck with their products. Have fun!

Craft stores sell a "paint" type product to be used on glass. It is permanent and will hold up on glass outside. You might also look for "Sun-Catcher Kits". This is a form (you could make your own) and then beads are added to the form and then they are baked and come out looking somewhat like glass.

We used the paint stuff years ago and it has held up. We gave what was left away and do not remember product name or exactly how we used it.

Maybe you can find a window design(s) that you like on the internet or as a photo (then get it scanned into your computer) that you can print on any inkjet printer onto this special transparent material that is usually used for overhead slide presentations. Then just cut it out and attach to the inside of the church wall. The colors will be brilliant (but no white, just clear). Haven't tried this yet, don't know about waterproofness, but planning to build a church later this year...

I know from experience that Ink jet ink will not hold up outdoors even when laminated. (either on paper or Transparencies) It fades in sunlight. Hope this saves you some effort.

Scott, I have to agree with you re the fading of these transparencies. The signs on my saloon have been made this way...it is kept inside except on running sessions and the signs have sun-faded in 4-5 months.