Replacement Windows Vs Stained Glass Window Overlay
Are you considering replacement windows? Do you have a window that you want to have privacy and the beauty of natural light to come through? I had this very challenge in my current home.
When I purchased my new home, I had a 3′ x 3′ window in my bathroom that was clear glass right over the bathtub. My privacy was a major concern, and I’m sure my neighbors would not appreciate my privacy shared. I considered replacing the windows, but replacement windows would have cost me more than an alternative I discovered from a local stained glass dealer.
Let me explain why replacement windows were not an option. The window was cased in brick. This means that the window and the brick would have to be worked upon to both remove and replace the window. The brick work was very expensive in addition to the large replacement window that I was considering.
I instead researched, with the help of a local window dealer, the option to overlay the current window with a leaded stained glass panel. This option was not as expensive as I thought it was. There were several advantages to designing a stained glass panel overlay versus replacement windows.
Stained Glass Windows are affordable, especially in large or custom sized windows. I found that replacement windows when you are dealing with a custom size are generally more expensive.
Stained Glass Window panels are the ultimate in creativity and design. While replacement windows offer you a few style designs, stained glass panels can be customized to include any design you wish making the options limitless.
A glass panel overlay does not require major construction. By choosing an overlay option, you do not have to modify the rough opening of the window, remove exterior brick or wood, or modify anything to do with the window.
Glass panel overlay is easily installed over the current window and held in place with simple quarter round molding.
A stained glass overlay will increase the insulation factor.
In my case the window overlay was an excellent option. I incorporated my own design, colors, width of lead channels and spent about $500 versus about a thousand dollars for a replacement window. I have a picture of the available at my website, it is linked below in my profile, you are welcome to view it.
Finally, an appraiser take a look at the finished stained glass panel overlay installed in my master bathroom. He estimated that the window alone increased in my home value by $1,000. Not bad. I was so impressed by the beauty and style, I decided to replace my boring four lite French Doors with leaded glass true divided Leaded Glass doors. The final overall impact resulted in an increase of roughly $5,000 to $10,000 in value to my home when I sell it.