| 1. What is faceted (dalle de
verre) art glass? |
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Faceted glass is architectural art glass made from pieces of glass 8" x
10" x 3/4" thick. It is also called dalle de verre, (French for "slabs
of glass). These slabs are cut or broken into smaller pieces that are then
arranged into the desired design on a flat surface. The edges of the glass are
chipped or "faceted" to bend light rays like lenses for interesting
effects. Epoxy grout is poured between the pieces. When
hardened, the entire assembly becomes a solid architectural wall component. |
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| 2. What are
applications for faceted glass? |
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At
Tooley Art Glass Studio, we focus on windows and panels
for architectural applications like churches and public spaces like train
stations, hotels, etc.
Some of the other possibilities
are lobby, entry and foyer systems, sidelights, transoms, doors, skylights,
signs, brand insignias, restaurant panels, wall murals, ceiling-mounted murals,
light boxes, decorative store fronts, privacy panels, room
dividers, bathroom enclosures, furniture and
office fixtures, and retail artwork.
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| 3. How are the
pieces of glass held together? |
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No lead is required in the faceted glass technique. The art glass layer is
assembled on a table top and epoxy grout is poured between the pieces,
solidifying the entire assembly into a single rigid architectural component.
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| 4. How long has this
kind of glass been around? |
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The faceted technology has been used in architectural applications
for over 70 years. Improvements have been made in the binding material over the
years. Originally portland cement was used as the grout, but this was later
changed to an epoxy compound that better matches the expansion characteristics
of glass. |
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| 5. What kind of
longevity does it have? |
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From a chemistry standpoint, the constituent materials are designed to withstand
deterioration and decomposition indefinitely. From a fabrication standpoint, the
technique does not rely upon materials that can fade, malleable framing
systems that bow and stretch (like lead), or the brittle nature of thinner
(1/8") stained glass. This helps preserve the art glass over the long term. |
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| 6. How does this
faceted glass compare in price to other forms of art glass? |
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The faceted technique compares very favorably. While it is possible for this
technique to produce works of art more costly than traditional stained glass, on
similar designs, it usually comes less costly than
traditional stained glass. This comes primarily from the lower labor
requirements of the technique itself. |
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| 7.
What factors impact the cost of faceted glass? |
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The fabrication cost is primarily a function of the overall window size, the
size of each panel and the complexity of the design (number of separate
pieces of glass required). The more
complex the image, the greater is the cost per square foot. Design, framing and
installation are additional value components which can be handled by Tooley
Art Glass Studio
or by others, but are essential to a successful project. |
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| 8. Can you give a
ball-park of the costs for faceted art glass? |
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must emphasize that every project is unique and must be estimated on its
own merits. However, a rough guide is that when we design and fabricate moderate complexity designs in
faceted glass, the range is usually between $150 and $220 per square
foot. Please get a project-specific quotation. |
| Want
a Project-specific estimate?
s for a
project-specific estimate! |
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| 9. Where will the
faceted glass be fabricated? |
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Tooley Art Glass Studio is located in
Rancho Palos Verdes, California with an additional fabrication studio in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. From here we do
our faceted and leaded glass design, fabrication and project coordination. |
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| 10. What are the size
limitations for a section of faceted glass? |
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Normally the largest manageable panel would be 4 feet x 4 feet (16 square feet). Since
the maximum length to width ratio should not exceed 4 to 1, it is possible to
cast this 16 square-foot maximum panel as a 8 feet tall by 2 feet wide panel.
Alternatively, it can be eight feet wide and then
larger panels can be made by stacking similar pieces one on top of another,
inserting between them a bead of sealant. |
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| 11. How is faceted glass
installed? |
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Just like normal clear glass, but in frames designed to accept 1 inch thick insulated
glass. |
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| 12. Are there special
framing systems required? |
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No. Any kind of wooden, aluminum or other window, storefront, and ecclesiastical
window system may be used with the our faceted glass. |
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| 13. What is the
thickness of the glass?
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| Since
the panel is composed of separate pieces of glass whose target thickness
is 3/4 inch, the panels typically vary between 5/8 inch to 7/8 inch thick. |
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| 14. What
are the color and design possibilities? |
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glass comes in hundreds of colors and shades so there is no practical design
limitation from the glass. The epoxy comes in four standard colors to
coordinate with the architectural setting in which it will be installed: Bronze,
Charcoal, Limestone, and Mortar.
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| 15.
Still have more Questions? |
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Then
send a specific question to us using the email link below or call!
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