When you purchase a home you want everything perfect but most of the time it isn't. As you go down your list of projects and tasks and get to "Repair Entry Stained Glass" then it's time to find a glass artist. I am happy to talk with you about your repair projects and provide you with an estimate on the work needed.

I am skilled in copper foil and lead repair work and have done jobs as extensive as an entire church of windows to smaller things like lamps and sentimental windows.

Shown first, small repairs such as broken lampshades to a window found bent and broken in the basement.

Restoration vs. Repair

I have been working extensively on the restoration of a historic home in Montana. These photos capture the process of one of these beautiful windows. Restoration instead of repair. What is the difference? Restoration means I am restoring the window, matching every detail of the windows. Repair would signify I am making the window structurally sound or perhaps creating spot fixes due to a restriction in the budget. When asking for a bid for a job I do offer both options for my clients. If one chooses repair I do my best to describe what that means for future work to be done to the window.

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Original Window, removed from house and waiting evaluation.

The first step is evaluation, deciding if a full lead restoration is needed or if spot fixing is an option. In this case the window being 100 years old the lead is brittle and needs to be removed and replaced. Lead will wax and wain over time allowing for glass to literally to fall out of the window if not replaced.

I evaluate each piece of glass while still in the original lead looking for cracks. Counting broken pieces and identifying original glass as well as lead thickness for each window section.

The window is completely taken apart and all old lead disposed of properly. From original measurements taken a jig is made and reconstruction begins.

This window had several broken pieces as well as 4 different lead types used. In restoration I match thickness for thickness in lead and search high and low for the correct match in glass.

The window is now complete, I have soldered all lead joints and am applying the lead putty. Putty gives rigidness to the window and polishes the glass and lead as well. This process also ages the lead, giving it the original vintage appearance.

The window is now put back in the refinished wood frame and original brace bars installed.

One can see the shine on the glass has been brought back to life. No sag in the lead and all lines are crisp and holding tight to the glass.

Completed restored and ready to be installed back in the house.