Stained glass: replacing it, creating it

Many old houses - built before 1920 - have leaded windows or stained glass. These give houses a very distinctive appearance. Replacing them with plain glass or with big picture windows, will change the character of such a house and generally make it less attractive. Nonetheless, until a few years ago, many people were ripping out stained glass windows and replacing them with double glazing. In many cases the trend is now being reversed. And people are using stained glass with modern patterns to liven up the appearance of a house and to provide privacy for bathroom windows and indoor glass features such as panels above doors.

Leaded windows have small panes of glass, held together with strips of lead. They were introduced at a time when all glass was hand-made and when it was impossible to get large sheets of glass. They are associated with old English homes. Part of their charm is that the tiny panes of glass will be at slightly different angles to each other. So you get interesting reflections and patterns.

Stained glass windows were popular in Victorian and Edwardian times, when most British suburbs were built. The glass was stained during manufacture. A great deal of textured or frosted glass was also used at this time.

How are leaded or stained glass windows constructed and rebuilt?

A design has to be drawn up and the bits of glass cut to shape. They are slotted into strips of lead called ‘cames', which have grooves in them to accommodate the glass. It's a bit like putting together a big jigsaw puzzle.

The glass is held with special cement and the lead strips are soldered together. It's a time-consuming process. And it's not cheap - replacing the stained glass in an Edwardian front door can cost around £900.

The glass in windows should last indefinitely, unless it has been broken by accident or by a burglar. However the lead strips will sometimes split apart, because of movements in the windows - often caused by the wind or by people slamming doors. In such cases, the windows have to be taken out of the frame and rebuilt.

While the window is being rebuilt, the glazier will usually put in a sheet of wood or plain glass to fill the empty window frame.

The replacement glass can look exactly like the original, if that's what you want. If some of the original glass in unbroken, it can be reused. There are around 500 varieties of glass available, so getting new glass to match the old is usually possible. If you want to create a new design that's do-able too, but...

If your stained glass is part of a listed building

Listed buildings are generally of historic interest and need special protection. With a listed building, you can still install new glass, as long as it is exactly like the glass that is being replaced. If handmade glass was used in the original building, you will have to replace it with new handmade glass.

Is painted glass different to stained glass?

Yes. The colour on painted glass is added after the glass is made - painted on top. Painted glass is less common because it was an expensive decorative touch added by

Edwardian and Victorian builders. The painting was done by hand. It is still possible to find glass painters who will do this kind of work. Stained glass glaziers will often know a glass painter that they can recommend.

How to find someone to replace leaded or stained glass?

The best method is word of mouth recommendation. If you live in a Victorian or Edwardian suburb, it's likely that most of your neighbours will have similar windows to yourself. Ask if any of them know a good stained glass glazier. You can look online for glazers too but always get quotes and ask for references. Here are our useful contacts...

www.trinitystainedglass.co.uk

www.bsmgp.org.uk The British Society of Master Glass Painters

www.conservationregister.com The Institute of Conservation