What Glass Can Be Fused?

Stained Glass

• Different colors of stained glass may not be compatible, but you can fuse stained glass with other types of glass, such as glass frit or glass confetti, with the same COE. To fuse pieces of stained glass, gradually increase the kiln temperature to 1,000 F at 500 degrees per hour. Hold the glass at 1,000 degrees for 20 minutes, and then increase it to 1,250 F at 850 degrees per hour. Hold it for another 20 minutes and then cool it down quickly to 950 degrees and hold it for one hour. Reduce the temperature to 100 degrees at a rate of 500 degrees per hour before turning off the kiln.

Dichroic

• Dichroic glass has depth and shimmer not found in other types of glass that can be fused. One side of dichroic glass sheets is textured with a coating; the other is smooth. You can fire the glass with either side up, depending on the desired outcome of the fused piece. The coating sides of dichroic glass will not fuse together, but will fuse with other types of glass with the same COE. Cut and clean the glass pieces and stack them on the kiln shelf lined with shelf paper. Fire the kiln to 1,325 F for a tack fuse or to 1,425 F for a full fuse. Tack fusing is when the pieces adhere together, but they retain their individual characteristics. Full fusing heats the glass pieces until they flow together. Crash cool the fused glass by turning off the kiln, opening the lid and allowing the temperature to reduce to 1,100 degrees. Close the lid and let the glass cool to room temperature.

Float Glass

• Float glass, also known as common window glass, is the most inexpensive type of glass that you can fuse. Do not mix different brands and types of float glass together unless the COE's are compatible. Cutting the pieces to be fused from the same sheet of float glass is one way to ensure compatibility. Float glass is most often clear and may fuse at 100 F higher temperatures than other types of glass.

Glass Frit

• Add texture and design elements to fused glass with glass frit. Glass frit is crushed or powdered glass that you can fuse onto other glass products with the same COE. The powder is available in coarse, medium and fine sizes in a variety of COE's. Layer glass frit onto stacks of glass on a paper covered kiln shelf and fuse the pieces together according to the type of glass and desired fusing method.