Question 1

What is COE and why does it matter for fused glass?

Accepted Answer

COE (coefficient of expansion) measures how much glass expands and contracts with heat. In a single kiln firing, every piece must share the same COE or the cooled glass develops stress cracks. The two common fusible systems are 90 (Bullseye) and 96 (System 96 / Spectrum). Never mix them in one firing. COE only matters when you fire glass - stained-glass work cut cold and foiled needs no COE matching.

Question 2

What kind of glass do I need for stained glass versus fusing?

Accepted Answer

Stained glass uses sheet glass cut cold and joined with copper foil or lead came, so cathedral (transparent), opalescent (milky), and textured sheets all work regardless of COE. Fusing and slumping melt glass in a kiln, so you must buy fusible glass labeled COE 90 or 96 and keep one system per firing. Buying the wrong type is the most common beginner mistake.

Question 3

What is glass frit and what grit should I buy?

Accepted Answer

Frit is crushed glass sold by particle size, from fine powder to coarse chunks, and matched to a COE for fusing. Powder gives smooth washes of color and shading; medium and coarse frit add texture, speckles, and depth on the surface of a fused piece. A 2-ounce jar runs about $8-$18. Buy frit in the same COE as your base sheet glass so it fuses cleanly.

Question 4

How much does raw crafting glass cost?

Accepted Answer

Small fusible squares (about 6x6 inches) run $4-$12; full stained-glass sheets land around $8-$20 depending on color and texture; frit jars and soft-glass rod bundles for lampwork run $15-$40; and dichroic glass, prized for its metallic color shift, runs $20-$60 for a small sheet. Hand-rolled, iridized, and reactive art glass costs more than plain cathedral sheets.

Question 5

What glass do lampworkers and beadmakers use?

Accepted Answer

Lampworkers and beadmakers use COE 104 soft glass, sold as solid rods and thin stringers worked molten over a torch. Effetre (Moretti) and similar Italian soft glass are standard. Rods come in bundles by color, often $15-$35 a set. Soft glass melts at lower torch temperatures than borosilicate (COE 33), which is a separate hard-glass system used for pipes and scientific work - the two are not compatible.

Question 6

How should glass be shipped and packed?

Accepted Answer

Raw glass is fragile and should arrive in rigid packaging with corner protection, individual sheet separation, and a box rated to survive a drop. Reputable makers double-box sheets and wrap rods to prevent chipping. Expect 3-7 business days for stock items and 1-2 weeks for cut-to-order or large sheets. Check the listing for breakage policy, and inspect on arrival before discarding packing material.

Glass for Fusing, Stained Glass & Lampwork

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