I have a stain glass window that I want installed correctly as a basement faux window with a light behind it.?

Question

I want suggestions on light kits or back lighting that is safe to put in a wall? As it is right now the contractor wants to put tin foil in the wall to act as a reflector and I would prefer he not do this due to safety concerns. Please suggest safe ways to back light a stain glass window installed in a sheet rock and timber wall structure.

Answer 1

I am a professional stained glass artist and have suggested a few different ways for my clients to do the same thing in their own homes.

The best place to install a stained glass window is in a window itself where it is subject to a wide range of changing light. This changing light results in a constantly changing piece of artwork that is never the same from week to week, day to day, hour to hour...

If this is not feasible, artificial lighting is the alternative as stained glass is reliant upon light to make it look its best! IKEA has recently introduced some art glass lighting fixtures that provide back-lighting to mass-produced (yuck!) kiln-formed art glass panels. If you get rid of the mass-produced, pedestrian panel that goes with the light fixture itself, you have an easy solution to your lighting problem. (I know I am condescending about IKEA's product, but I AM a professional glass artist, after all!)

Another alternative is to build a light box - either built into the wall or built against the wall. This is built to the size of your stained glass window panel and both provides a mounting structure away from the wall, as well as a consistent and even light source. Flourescent light bulbs would be better as they offer a more even and consistent light, rather than the 'hot' spots that are typical of light bulbs. I do not support the use of tinfoil as this could cause an increase in the heat that your stained glass panel is exposed to. Without proper ventilation, this increased heat could cause heat stresses to develop in your stained glass panel.

If built out of the wall, the light box can be surrounded by a white acyric perspex frame to provide an interesting light effect around the stained glass window as well as behind it, or it can by surrounded by a wooden frame which will limit the light to JUST behind the stained glass panel itself. This is the best approach if the lighting is to be housed in a recess within the wall....

There are other ways of installing a stained glass window panel, but these are my top three suggestions for the situation(s) that you suggested in your query....

I hope that this is of use to you. If anyone is interested in further information or in obtaining a uniquely designed stained glass panel for their home, my website is located at www.jaraglassworks.ca

Jara

Answer 2

It depends on what type of glass is used in the window. If there are many cathedral types then of couse you will see any type of lighting and bulb. If you can't see through the glass then a safe way would be fluorescent lighting. You don't want something to create too much heat either. The best way would to be able to find some source of natural light, being in a basement you might have a window just at ground level to bring some light behind it.

Answer 3

If you get an outlet installed inside the box that could be turned off and on with a light switch, you could plug a rope light into it. The amount of light you want will determine the length of the rope light. They use very little electricity, and throw off next to no heat, so are cheaper than a conventional lightbulb. I have them going down my indoor stairs, and just plug them in when I want to use them. They are much softer than turning on an overhead light. You could also try to find a fluorescent box the right size and put that in the wall with the window on the front of it.

Answer 4

There are all kinds of light box manufactures on the web that make light boxes in all shapes and sizes. I would suggest you find one that has a stock size light box that will work for you. Then see if the application will work for you. Light boxes are made to all kinds of codes and one is sure to fit your needs. Make sure the light box has a minimum rating of UL as you want to know that it truly is designed to meet your need. Your contractor would have a better idea of what you need as the wall structure is only part of the placement. As with anything you want it to be safe from fire but also with the extra heat source you will want to make sure it won't make water pipes sweat or collect moisture from heating and cooling ducts as both are inviting mold to start growing in the walls.

Good luck

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

I like stained glass but really only in churches