When to use Different Copper Foils?
Regular Copper Foil vs. Black Backed
or Silver Backed Foil?
- The main purpose for foil used in stained glass work is merely
to fold over the edge of the glass to allow the edges to be soldered
together. Generally, regular copper foil is used, however,
plain copper foil can cause a problem if it is used on glass
that is fairly clear - the inside edge of the foil can be seen
through the glass and it will cause a "copper halo"
along the seam. Black Backed or Silver Backed foil is used
to eliminate the "halo" problem. If you plan
to leave the solder joints silver colored, use silver backed
foil. If you plan to use black patina on the solder joints,
use black backed foil.
Silver Both Sides?
- Copper foil is often used as an edging material on glass ornaments,
bevels and for other craft projects. If the glass is fairly
clear, the same "halo" problem noted above will occur.
Some people solder the foil to make it silver or to use black
patina, however, many crafters would rather have a silver front
surface without the need to coat it with solder. Silver
Both Sides Foil allows you to have a silver front edge to a craft
project without the need to solder the foil.
Brass Foil?
- Brass foil is normally used as an edging on craft projects.
It has a sticky backing like the copper foil foils. Brass
foil is generally not soldered. If you plan to solder the
foil, it is much better to use the less expensive copper foil.
New Wave Copper Foil? - Wavy copper foil is used as an edging
material on craft projects to obtain a "wavy" edge
rather than a straight edge. Wavy foil looks great on many
projects such as angel skirts and picture frames.
Copper Foil Sheet?
- Copper foil sheets are used for many craft projects.
It has a sticky backing like regular copper foil, so it can be
cut into patterns or shapes and stuck onto any type of project.
It can be left copper colored, soldered to give a silver color
or soldered and then turned black using patina. |