Stained glass typically costs $75-$300 per square foot for a new custom panel, with simpler designs near the low end and detailed, hand-painted work at the high end. The stained glass price per square foot depends on design complexity, glass selection, panel size, installation conditions, and whether the job involves new fabrication or restoration.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom stained glass panel | $75/sq ft | $150/sq ft | $300/sq ft | Fabrication only; complexity and glass grade vary |
| Installed custom panel | $100/sq ft | $200/sq ft | $400/sq ft | Includes typical fitting and installation |
| Panel restoration | $100/sq ft | $250/sq ft | $500+/sq ft | Extensive damage or releading can exceed this range |
| Small custom window | $300 | $900 | $2,400 | Assumes about 3-8 square feet |
What a custom stained glass panel costs by size
For a straightforward, geometric panel using standard colored glass and lead came, buyers commonly pay $75-$150 per square foot for fabrication. A moderate custom design with more colors, curves, or textured glass often runs $150-$250 per square foot. Detailed imagery, hand painting, specialty glass, or intricate came work can reach $250-$300 or more per square foot before installation.
For a typical 6-square-foot custom panel, a practical fabrication budget is about $900-$1,500. A 2-square-foot cabinet insert may cost $250-$700 because design and setup charges do not shrink in direct proportion to panel size. Assumptions: standard U.S. materials, made-to-order panel, normal access, and no major framing repairs.
How glass, came, labor, and fitting shape the quote
Fabrication labor is a large part of the quote. The maker selects and cuts glass, grinds edges, assembles the design, solders joints, and finishes the panel. Quotes may bundle these tasks rather than itemize them, so buyers should ask whether the price includes design time, templates, delivery, and installation.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes it | Usually included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass and lead came | $25-$100/sq ft | Glass type, color, texture, and metal choice | Materials for the panel |
| Design and fabrication labor | $50-$180/sq ft | Number of pieces, curves, painting, and detail | Cutting and assembly |
| Installation labor | $150-$600 per opening | Panel weight, access, and frame condition | Typical fitting and securing |
| Protective glazing or frame work | $20-$100/sq ft | Insulated protection, new sash, or custom framing | Only when specified |
| Delivery and removal | $50-$300 | Distance, packaging, and disposal needs | Often quoted separately |
Confirm whether the per-square-foot rate covers the finished panel only or the installed window assembly. is one way to compare labor quotes; specialist craft rates commonly work out to about $50-$125 per hour, though many studios price by project.
Which panel dimensions and design details raise the price?
Piece count is a useful indicator of labor. A simple 2-by-3-foot geometric panel with fewer than 30 pieces may land near $500-$1,000 fabricated, while a similarly sized design with 80-150 pieces can cost $900-$1,800. Tiny pieces, tight curves, and many solder joints take longer to cut and assemble.
Panel size also affects handling and installation. A panel over 10 square feet, or one wider than roughly 36 inches, may need extra support, multiple installers, or a reinforced frame. Hand-painted details, kiln-fired imagery, beveled glass, and antique or mouth-blown glass can add 20%-100% or more compared with basic colored glass.
Ask for a drawing and piece-count estimate when comparing designs with different levels of detail. An irregular opening, bowed sash, or deteriorated wood frame can add $200-$1,000 or more in repair work, apart from the glass price.
When restoration costs more than a replacement panel
Restoration often costs $100-$500 or more per square foot because the craftsperson must remove the panel, document the design, clean and repair glass, and rebuild weakened lead came. Replacing a few broken pieces may cost $150-$500 per visit or repair, while a full releading project can exceed the cost of a new, simple panel.
Restoration makes financial sense when original glass, historic workmanship, or a distinctive design is valuable. If the panel has widespread cracked glass, failing came, and a simple repeatable pattern, buyers can request quotes for both repair and replacement. Compare the total scope, not just the per-square-foot number. Ask whether removal, transport, temporary boarding, and reinstallation are included.
How installation access and U.S. location affect labor
Installation commonly adds $150-$600 per opening for a straightforward interior or ground-floor job. High windows, exterior lifts, difficult access, lead-safe handling, and custom framing can push labor above $1,000. A small panel may also have a minimum service charge even when the measured area is low.
Prices in major coastal cities can run about 15%-35% above typical national estimates, while rural areas may be 10%-20% lower when a local studio is available. Remote shipping, travel, and specialty installer availability can erase that difference. Request separate fabrication, shipping, and installation amounts when the maker is outside the local area.
Three sample stained glass quotes for common projects
A small cabinet insert measuring 2 square feet, with a simple 20-piece pattern, might cost $300-$500 to fabricate and $150-$300 to fit, for a total of $450-$800. A 6-square-foot bathroom window with textured privacy glass and a moderate design could run $900-$1,500 for fabrication plus $250-$500 installation, totaling $1,150-$2,000.
A 12-square-foot entry panel with detailed imagery and specialty glass may cost $2,400-$3,600 to make, or $200-$300 per square foot, plus $500-$1,200 for complex installation and framing. The estimated total is $2,900-$4,800. These examples assume ordinary access and exclude major structural repairs.
Which choices lower the price without sacrificing the panel
Keeping the design geometric, limiting the number of glass types, and using standard colors can reduce cutting and sourcing costs. Reusing a sound frame and measuring the opening accurately before fabrication can prevent remakes or custom carpentry. Buyers can also ask whether a simpler border or fewer decorative pieces would preserve the intended appearance at a lower price.
Compare at least three written quotes using the same dimensions, drawing, glass specification, finish, and installation scope. Check whether taxes, delivery, disposal, warranty, and protective glazing are included. A low quote may exclude installation or use a simpler glass specification, so compare the delivered result rather than the headline rate.