How much does a custom stained glass window cost?
Most published US guides put custom stained glass at roughly $100 to $600 per square foot, and simple geometric panels can come in lower [1][2]. A small transom or cabinet-door panel can cost a few hundred dollars. A large leaded window with painted detail can cost thousands. The price comes down to four things: the area, how many pieces of glass the design needs, the glass you choose, and whether the artist also removes and fits the window.
What published guides say
There's no list price for "a stained glass window", but a few cost guides publish ranges you can use as a sanity check. All figures are in US dollars and come from US artists and contractors.
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor (updated June 2026) | Custom stained glass $250–$600 per sq ft; premade or standard panels $100–$250 per sq ft; average project $589, typical range $310–$890 [1] |
| ThePricer (updated September 2025) | Simple geometric $50–$175 per sq ft; moderately complex $175–$250; highly complex $250–$350; elite designer work $350–$500+ per sq ft [2] |
| Thumbtack | National range of about $90 to $600–$700 per sq ft for commissioned work; one artist quoted 12 leaded panels for a front door and transom at $6,000 installed [3] |
The ranges overlap and they're wide. That's because a four-colour geometric panel and a hand-painted figure with dozens of small pieces are very different jobs, even at the same size. Use the numbers to check whether a bid is in the right ballpark, not as a target.
What drives the price
Area. Most artists start from the square footage. Measure the opening (or the panel, if it sits inside an existing sash) in inches or centimetres and multiply it out. A 24 × 36 in panel is 6 sq ft (about 0.56 m²).
Number of pieces. Every piece of glass is cut, ground, wrapped or leaded and soldered by hand. A design with 40 pieces takes far less time than one with 300 pieces of the same total size. Curves, narrow points and tiny pieces add the most hours.
Glass. Clear textured glass and common colours cost the least. Hand-rolled, streaky or antique glass costs more, and Thumbtack notes that some colours, such as cobalt blue and some pinks, contain costly elements [3]. Bevels and jewels add material cost and labour.
Lead came or copper foil. Lead came is the traditional method for windows: strong and weatherproof once it's cemented. Copper foil (the method Tiffany started) suits small, fiddly shapes, lamps and decorative panels [4]. For an exterior window, ask which method the artist recommends and why.
Painted detail. Faces, lettering and shading are painted onto the glass and fired in a kiln. Thumbtack's artists say painting typically costs more [3], and ThePricer cites one studio at $400–$600 per sq ft for painted areas [2].
Removal, fitting and protective glazing. Taking out an old sash, fitting the new panel, and adding an outer protective glass layer are separate jobs. Thumbtack lists $150–$200 just to remove and reinstall a window [3]. Ask whether the bid includes fitting or covers only the panel.
A worked example
Here's how the numbers combine for a 2 × 3 ft (6 sq ft) panel for a front door sidelight:
- At $150 per sq ft (a simple geometric design): about $900
- At $300 per sq ft (curves and more pieces): about $1,800
- At $500 per sq ft (painted detail): about $3,000
Add fitting if the artist installs it. These are illustrations built from the published ranges above, not quotes. The bids you get will depend on the maker, the design and where you live.
How to bring the price down
- Simplify the design. Fewer, larger pieces and gentler curves cut hours.
- Use colour where it shows. Clear textured glass for the background, with colour reserved for the motif.
- Skip the painting unless you need faces or lettering.
- Fit it inside your existing window. A panel that hangs or mounts inside a double-glazed window avoids rebuilding the sash.
- Give the artist time. A short deadline means queue-jumping and fewer bids.
How to brief a glass artist
Bids get closer together when every maker sees the same brief:
- Exact size, and whether it's the visible glass or the full sash.
- Where it goes: interior, exterior, door, or a panel to hang.
- Photos of the opening and the room, so the artist can judge light and style.
- A sketch or reference images. Say which parts matter and which are flexible.
- Colour preferences, and how much privacy you need.
- Fitting: do you need removal, installation or protective glazing?
- Budget and deadline.
On The Spool List you post this brief once, free. Verified makers bid with a price and a timeline, and you choose the one whose past work you trust. You pay when you accept a bid, the payment is held, and the maker is paid when you confirm delivery. There's no buyer fee. See how it works, check typical prices, or browse glass makers on the glass work market page.
Post your stained glass commission free.
FAQ
Is stained glass priced per square foot?
Usually, yes, as a starting point. Most artists then adjust for the number of pieces, painted detail and fitting. A per-square-foot figure is a sanity check, not a promise.
How long does a custom stained glass window take?
It depends on the size, the design and the artist's queue. Ask each maker for a timeline in their bid rather than assuming one.
Can a stained glass panel go in a modern double-glazed window?
Often, yes. A panel can hang inside the window or be built into a new sealed unit. Tell the artist what you have and send photos.
Do I need lead came or copper foil?
For an exterior window, lead came is the usual choice. For small decorative pieces and lamps, copper foil is common [4]. Ask the artist which they recommend for your piece.