How to hang a heavy stained glass window

Decorating your home with stained glass windows adds translucent color to the light streaming through the windows, creating a focal point for any room. Hanging the heavy windows on the inside of your home presents a challenge that you can easily meet with the right materials. Stained glass panels can weigh from 3 to 5 lbs. per square foot depending on the type of glass used in production. The most important thing to remember when you hang a heavy stained glass window is to insert your wall or ceiling hook into a stud or joist.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Measure the overall size of your stained glass window to get an approximate weight of the panel. For example, if your window measures 2 feet by 3 feet, your panel is 6 square feet. At 3 to 5 lbs. per square foot, your panel could weigh anywhere from 18 to 30 pounds.
   • 2
     Find the ceiling joists or wall studs in the area where you plan to hang your window. You will need the ceiling joists if you are hanging the window as a room divider or in front of a floor-to-ceiling window. Attach the window to wall studs when you are hanging it in front of another window. For this instance, you would insert your hooks into studs directly above the window casing.
   • 3
     Insert a hook into two ceiling joists or wall studs that are side by side. Measure the distance between the hooks and place the screw eyes into the frame of your stained glass window the same distance apart.
   • 4
     Cut two lengths of 12-gauge wire or fishing line equal to the distance you plan to hang your stained glass window, plus 12 inches. The extra is for wrapping the wire around the hooks or for tying the fishing line. Fishing line will be less visible than the chain and holds the window just as well. The chain will allow the window slightly less movement, so if you are hanging your window as a room divider, you may wish to opt for chain.
   • 5
     Hook or tie the chain or line to the ceiling or wall hooks first. Make sure your knots are secure. Rest the heavy window on a ladder or have someone hold it as you tie the line around the screw eyes. For a chain, use the "S" hooks to join the chain to the screw eyes. Let your window hang.

     Thanks to Katherine Kally, eHow Contributor for writing this article.