Time, weather, and structural settling take their toll on historic and residential stained glass. We meticulously repair, clean, and stabilize aging panels to preserve their original brilliance for future generations.
From Victorian hallway doors to mid-century modern feature windows, private residences often house hidden treasures. We address bowing lead lines, rattling glass panes, and fading paint, carefully extracting panels from your home to restore them securely in our studio before precise reinstallation.
Working with legacy architectural pieces requires an unyielding respect for original craftsmanship. We source period-accurate salvage glass when matching is required and use traditional putty formulations. Our priority is minimal intervention: saving as much original material as structurally possible while ensuring the piece endures another century.
True restoration is a slow, methodical practice. Every piece passing through our benches receives documented, deliberate care.
Before a single piece of glass is moved, we create a full-scale physical rubbing of the lead matrix. This exact blueprint ensures the restored window matches its original dimensions and design perfectly.
Fatigued lead cames are carefully unpinned and discarded, freeing the original glass. Each piece is submerged in specialized restorative baths to remove decades of soot, oxidized putty, and atmospheric pollutants without harming painted details.
The glass is meticulously reassembled along our blueprint using fresh, structurally sound lead. Every joint is hand-soldered on both sides of the panel to restore rigid structural integrity.
A dark, specialized waterproofing cement is forced under the lead flanges on both faces. Once cured, the panel is vigorously polished, leaving the glass luminous and the lead a distinctive charcoal black.
A freshly restored stained glass panel should comfortably last between 80 to 100 years before requiring structural attention again. However, routine maintenance is vital for ensuring that lifespan.
Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, ammonia, or abrasive cloths. A simple dusting with a soft natural bristle brush or wiping with distilled water on a microfiber cloth is entirely sufficient. We provide comprehensive written care instructions with every completed project.
Condensation buildup damages structural putty. Ensure proper airflow if your panel is installed in a high-moisture environment.
For vulnerable historic pieces, we can advise on and design protective secondary glazing systems that shield the artwork from extreme weather.
Whether you have a small cracked pane or a large bowing window requiring immediate structural stabilization, reach out to schedule an in-studio review or on-site condition report.