Do you only make leaded windows?
Leaded windows currently account for approximately 25% of Red Kite business. Leaded windows are custom designed although some predesigned panels are available for cabinets and internal doors. Red Kite specialises in period style mirrors and light screens. Light screens may be wall mounted, suspended within a window reveal, or free-standing (hardwood or wrought iron framing a speciality)
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What do you mean by traditional methods?
A large majority of glass is hand cut by scribing and controlled breaking, this method has been used for many years and still the most effective. Lead extrusion is used to frame the glass pieces manufactured by old well established European suppliers. Leaded panels are waterproofed and sealed using leaded light cement made to the same recipes of old. Red Kite produces copper foiled glass using similar methods to those developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. All Red Kite glass is real glass (not acrylic) and made from individual pieces of glass (not cast in one piece or stuck on lead!).
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Are your products lead free?
Lead is a key component in almost every Red Kite product. Lead came of various sizes is used to join pieces of glass and I believe that only lead can achieve the natural curves and subtle blending which is essential to the beauty of stained glass. However, it is sometimes possible to make a lead free window using zinc and/or brass although this severely compromises the design pallet.
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What is a cartoon?
The cartoon is a key requirement during the fabrication of a glass panel (or carpet or tapestry for that matter). The cartoon is usually a full sized drawing (or print) of the glass design and contains allowances for the heart thickness of lead came and/or copper foil thickness so that glass can be accurately cut to size. The glass is usually assembled on top of the cartoon. An accurate cartoon promotes precise glass cutting and avoids fit problems during installation.
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I have an idea for a window / door panel / mirror / glass thingey; can you help?
The short answer is almost certainly yes. The longer answer is most probably still yes depending on how much information you have to hand. Some people will have very specific requirements and the design will be sketched based on the design brief and an analysis of the design rules governing successful stained glass fabrication.
The more information you can provide the better. For a window, size is an obvious requirement. Less obvious information would be height of the window from floor level, internal or external installation, privacy, light reduction, existing colour schemes, and so on.
If you are unsure of what level of detail is required please send me what you have and I will be happy to help.
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Do you make foiled designs?
Copper foiled designs are a Red Kite speciality. Normally only suited to smaller sized panels allowing delicate fine lead tracery. Unsuitable for large panels and exterior use. Modern strengthening methods and the clever use of zinc frames can extend the size of foiled panels please contact for latest size constraints.
The foiled metal technique was popularised be Louis Comfort Tiffany. The only change in technique is that I purchase my copper foil with heat resistant glue already applied and foil the pieces myself, whereas Mr Tiffany had a team of craftsmen making, gumming, and foiling the glass for him.
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Can leaded and foiled designs be combined?
Certainly. Many designs can be improved by the graduation of lead width that can be achieved using both techniques. This technique permits larger areas of glass to be fabricated than by the foiling process alone.
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Do you produce period designs?
Inspiration comes from a wide variety of sources. The designs of traditional clerical stained glass have a beauty of their own whether this was due to the limited range of colours or the natural imperfections in the manufacture of the raw materials. What these individuals achieved hundreds of years ago is possibly beyond the reach of many crafts people today and more importantly far beyond the wallet (or purse) of the patron. Red Kite can produce hand painted, tinted, or shaded glass that can be leaded into larger panels.
Other styles, or period designs, are more readily emulated. A favourite of many is the Art Nouveaux style a fusion of natural lines and curves, another is Art Deco which in itself was intended as a celebration of modernity over nature.
Whatever the style Red Kite can produce designs that identify with just one period through to designs that are a fusion of styles.
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What colours are available for glass?
Glass can be sourced from at least a dozen manufacturers. Each manufacturer can produce many different types of glass (opaline, cathedral, reamy, streaky to name but a few). Some glass is a plain single colour others a mixture of at least two colours often more. One factor influencing the perceived colour is the surface finish (see below). Most colours are available in a range of light transmission from clear or transparent through to translucent and eventually opaque.
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What finishes are available for glass?
The finish of the glass can be from a really rough surface through to a rolled smooth appearance. Some glass may be etched others sprayed with glues that produce wonderful fern like patterns. Some finishes may be applied to one or both sides of the glass and produce differing tonal variations of the original colour. Other surface treatments involve the application of a metalised layer giving a rich iridescence to the glass surface.
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How long from the start of design to final delivery?
Really this is “How long is a piece of string”. Sometimes a design brief will enable the production of a fully workable design within one month typically two months. If a workable design cannot be agreed in say three months we then should agree to disagree and stop. These timescales assume a typical panel or window. Generally the bigger the job the longer it takes but irrespective of scale the basic concepts should be agreed within one or two months. The creation of a detailed design (cartoon, selection of materials) could take another month and the final fabrication another two months. So should the average job exist it would take approximately four months from start to finish. Remember the design may be started before the final dimensions are known (within reasonable limits).
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Do you paint glass?
The simple answer is yes. Mainly fireable stains and paints are used. Traditional shading methods are employed to enable true “painting with light” to be achieved. Modern appliqué techniques permit digitally derived images to be fused and then tinted permitting faithful replication of any paint finish and style.
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My architect needs scaled drawings - is this a problem?
No problem - we pride ourselves with the ability to address many 2D and 3D needs including scaled drawings and visualisation models please ask for details.
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What will my glass cost me?
We can quote only typical prices for guidance. Bespoke glass averages £75 per finished square foot. Painted glass is from £350 per square foot upwards. Please contact for a no obligation budgetary quote
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