What is the process for releading antique stained glass windows in your Denver home?

As many homes in historic neighborhoods in Denver like Capitol Hill and Congress Park come to a substantially old age, the need for stained glass restoration is becoming increasingly common. Many of these antique stained glass windows are beginning to show signs of deterioration such as bowing and sagging and are in need of having the leading replaced. Fortunately, antique stained glass restoration happens to be something that Stained Glass Denver specializes in. Our experts can replace old and damaged leading to prevent further deterioration and extend the lifetime of the stained glass.

The Process for Releading Antique Stained Glass

The process for releading antique stained glass is fairly straightforward though there are many different steps involved. The first and foremost thing that should be done before any work is carried out is an examination of the windows. Restoration is a very difficult process and if the stained glass is not old enough or valuable enough, it may make more sense financially just to replace it instead of restore it.

However, we have seen many stained glass windows in older neighborhoods like Uptown and Park Hill that are significantly old and have aged enough to be considered valuable antiques. For these windows, a full restoration makes much more sense. In this case, we will temporarily remove the window and bring it back to our studio to work on the restoration.

The process of replacing old leading and restoring stained glass typically goes something like this:

1. Once the stained glass is removed, it is brought back to our studio where it is placed in a bath of gentle cleansing solution to soak. This makes it easier to take apart the panel.

2. After cleaning, a computerized pattern is generated to help preserve the look and layout of the original design. Then the stained glass is carefully taken apart. The individual pieces are cleaned and carefully stored.

3. The old leading is removed and replaced with new leading of a similar profile. All glass in good condition is used for the reassembly of the panel. Any piece that may have been damaged due to the deterioration of the leading is discarded and replaced.

4. The panel is assembled, cemented, and soldered together at the edges. Steel bars may also be attached for reinforcement. Then the glass is cleaned and brought back to your home.

5. If the owner desires, we can add an additional exterior pane over the stained glass during the installation process. This helps to preserve the life of the stained glass and protect it from the elements.

Does your stained glass need releading?

Have antique stained glass windows in Denver that need releading? We can help! Call Stained Glass Denver, the leading source for stained glass repair and restoration in the Denver metro area to receive an estimate for your project.

Martin Faith

Martin Faith is a talented artisan, collector of antique stained glass, and the owner of Stained Glass Denver. For over thirty years, Martin has been running his company in Denver using the techniques he learned as a stained glass artisan in Scotland. He has devoted his life's work to perfecting the art form and studying its history. Martin's company specializes in custom creations, which are made using the highest quality materials and authentic, original designs. In addition to residential and commercial stained glass, the company also offers services for churches and religious buildings. Over the years, Stained Glass Denver has completed numerous restorations of historic stained glass and produced over 50,000 windows.