Posted by Gary Dodge on July 31, 2003 at 19:05:27:
In Reply to: ceiling dome with solartube posted by michele pitale on July 29, 2003 at 14:17:17:
Hi Michele,
The big issue here is reinforcement.
If I understand correctly you will be installing the stained glass flat, as in parallel to the ground as opposed to standing up like a traditional window installation.
When a window stands up the load of each piece of glass starting from the top of the window on down, is transferred directly to the edge of the piece below it. One piece rests on the next and so on. As long as the window is installed plumb (straight up and down), it can carry the load.
As soon as a window is allowed to tip a bit, gravity begins to take its' toll. It pulls a bit on the side of the glass and instead of the load being transferred directly to the piece below, some of the gravity load now works to pull the glass out of line with the rest of the window. Over time the entire window is seen to bow. Eventually glass will begin to and crack and even fall out.
When you install a window flat, you are looking at the extreme example of this problem. Without plenty of additional reinforcement and some attention to the design so that it resists bowing in the first place, your panel will not be long for this world. (Avoid lots of parallel lines, make sure that design elements interlock one another.)
Use plenty of restrip, fins, rebar, whatever you have in your arsenal, or consider supporting the whole thing from below with a piece of 1/4" plate glass.
GaryD
: I am trying to install stained glass into a ceiling which will be lit by a solartube. A solartube is a tube which channels sunlight through roof and attic. It looks sort of like a hi-hat when it comes out. It is supplemented by artificial light. Does anyone have any ideas to the pitfalls I maight encounter doing this? Thanks