Copper foil can be a stained glass leading technique that features a more delicate or intricate look for it than the lead came technique. Louis C. Tiffany came up with copper foil technique noisy . 1900′s. Tiffany didn’t have the adhesive-backed copper foil that individuals have today. When he built his copper foil stained glass projects, he painstakingly cut the copper strips and applied wax for many years to secure it on the stained glass.

Copper foil is frequently used for decorative glass boxes, stained glass lamps, and also other stained glass projects with intricate curves. The copper foil is flexible then when the solder bead is applied correctly, it can be strong enough for just about any stained glass project.

Deciding if you should use copper foil or lead came on the project is mostly a personal choice; yet, some areas could possibly have building restrictions or codes which you are required to check. Some people believe that the copper foil technique of stained glass construction isn’t strong enough for large stained glass windows.

You will find methods of reinforcing stained glass windows whether or not they are constructed by the copper foil method or even the came method. Rebar is used to boost large stained glass windows. There is really a copper flat wire called “Strong Line” that is also used as reinforcement by placing it between the pieces of stained glass before soldering.

The copper colour of Tiffany’s thin strips of copper for his stained glass window construction would’ve shown in, for instance, clear glass. Today’s copper foil is available in various backing colors like copper, black, silver and brass. This provides the stained glass artisan selections of backing that will show up less through clear glass; and then for instance, if you use silver backing on white stained glass, there may not be a line of shadow around the white stained glass at the solder lines.

Also, if you plan to leave the solder lines silver but not use a patina to color the solder, then silver back will be better wherever there is clear glass. The same works well with using a copper patina for the lead; you would want copper backed foil in your stained glass. Black-backed foil would look best on that clear glass if you are using black patina.

Copper foil tape can be a “dead soft copper” which, when burnished on the stained glass, sticks closely for the glass. It comes in various widths with popular sizes being: 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 7/32″ 3/8″ and 1/2″. Most copper foil tapes have been in 36 yard rolls.

When working with larger stained glass projects, 3-dimensional articles or windows, a wider copper foil like 3/8″ or 1/2″ will probably be stronger. Thicker stained glass uses a wider tape. When you are doing very intricate or delicate stained glass work, you might prefer to use the narrower 3/16″ copper foil tape.

If you wrap stained glass in copper foil tape, ensure that the edges of the glass are ground after which cleaned very well; otherwise, the foil will not likely stick to the stained glass. Wrapping the glass edges carefully and ensuring equal amounts of foil are folded up onto either sides of the stained glass will assure a smooth, even solder line. Be guaranteed to rub or burnish the foil until it can be smooth and secure.

Copper foil for stained glass construction can be obtained through wholesale distributors across the world. A very popular and reliable copper foil is manufactured by Edco Supply Corporation in Brooklyn, Ny. Stained glass retail stores, craft stores, an internet-based stores carry copper foil for stained glass.

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