Stained Glass and leaded light Window Releading and Remaking
We have considerable experience and expertise in the repair and relading of stained glass and leaded light windows.
Insitu Repairs also known as 'Stop-in' repairs
If the window has a small amount of damage then it may be possible to repair it insitu
without the need to remove the stained glass or leaded light window completely from the frame thus saving money, time and posible damage to the frame or the stained glass.
So quite often is is not necessary to remake or relead your stained glass window.
In the example shown this lovely Art Nouveau domestic leaded light had many pieces of glass broken. Even though the shapes of the broken glass were very intricate curves it was possible to repair it insitu. The first thing to do when we are carrying out an insitu repair is to carefully remove all the broken pieces form the lead. This can be a very difficult task when the pieces are narrow and the old lead is hard.
The next step is to smooth back the inside leaf of the lead so the new piece of glass can be inserted into the stained glass window. So now comes the realy difficult part, to cut the new glass pieces. Each piece of glass is cut accurately to shape using matching colour and texture. Once the new glass is inserted into the lead the leads are smoothed flat and sealed using our special black lead putty.
This process can restore even badly damaged stained glass and leaded light windows back to their former glory and our craftsmen are experts at this method of repair.
More extenisve damage to your stained glass window will require removing from the frame and releaded or remaking.
Painted, stained and fired glass restoration, repair, remaking or releading
Stained glass windows with damaged painted, stained and kiln fired glass present the most challenging of any repairs facing the stained glass restorer. All Church and domestic stained glass can be releaded or remade no mater what the damage.
The coat of arms shown is in the oldest stained glass window in the Chapel at the historic Smithills Hall in Bolton. During recent restoration of the stained glass we had to paint replacement pieces for this and many other of the anchient windows.
These traditonal stained glass window painting techniques are practised by the artists at Classical Glass and you can be sure that your valuable stained glass windows will receive the care and attention to detail they deserve.
So if your stained glass or leaded light windows need remaking or releading you can call on us to meet your needs.