Stained glass is a widely popular type of glass, having been used as early as the 10th century. Stained glass gets its name from its process of forming colored glass pieces into designs held together by an outline of lead strips or copper foil. Stained glass and glass have both been used throughout history commercial and domestic use. Stained glass became popular after its use for churches.

Different textures of stained glass include:
* Antique, a striated transparent glass.
* Cathedral - a single colored transparent glass. Another method known as glue chip is also made from this type, by applying glue on the stained glass in a decorative way so that when dry it forms a unique crackle pattern.
* Opalescent - a combination of white glass and colored glass.
* Iridized - made from cathedral or opalescent glass, this stained glass style incorporates the use of metallic salts to give it a rainbow luster.
* Baroque - a swirled white glass.

While glass itself can be used for anything from windows, to furniture, wall-hangings, mirrors, light fixtures, and more, stained glass adds a special quality to those items, as well as any other project, limited only by the imagination. However, not all instances of stained glass are always practical or budget-friendly. Stained glass can be expensive and time-consuming to create, driving up its price. Balancing stained glass with traditional glass, using a glass substitute such as plastic or Plexiglass with paints or dyes, or embellishing items made from metals or wood with stained glass are all ways to keep your stained glass projects more affordable.

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