Find Out Here If Your Denver Church’s Stained Glass Need Restoration?
Church Stained Glass Is Durable But Still Needs Restoration And/or Repair
Stained glass is an astoundingly lovely and surprisingly strong material tinted with paints, pigments, and dyes to make it a wonderful ethereal addition to churches, chapels, mosques, and synagogues worldwide. It is a wonderful decoration that, when properly cared for, will last a long time. In other words, just because stained glass is durable, does not mean it never needs repairs or even a full restoration. The past tells us that church stained glass windows should be repaired or restored about every century because this is around this time the lead caming, wood or steel frames, grout, and glass begin to wear down. If caught early enough and repaired, it will be another 100 years before needing restoration. If you are a member of a church that has vintage stained glass and you are wondering if it needs repair, review our guide below. We have outlined a few signs that could mean your chapel’s stained glass needs restoration. And, of course, we suggest doing so– in order to keep it looking lovely and intact for the next generation of your congregation.
Gaps In Your Church’s Stained Glass Window That Show Daylight
A definite sign that it is time to have a restoration done on your Denver church’s stained glass are gaps of visible light through the frame, between the leading or glass pieces. Regardless of the size of the gap, type of wear and tear must be addressed because these gaps mean the lead is stretched and structurally unsound. It also could mean that the surrounding glass panels are no longer secure. You risk a piece of glass falling out of the window and a stained glass professional should be brought in.
Buckling, Bowing And Sagging Of Your Church’s Stained Glass
If the stained glass windows in your church are buckling, bowing, bulging or sagging, an actual collapse could be right around the corner. This is, of course, a worst-case scenario but not far fetched by any means. Any falling glass is bad glass because it could hurt someone. In this scenario, it is not the glass that is failing but rather–the wood frame. After years of expanding and contracting over time the frame has lost strength and the lead caming has been stretched. This is an issue that needs to be repaired soon to immediately by a professional.
Chips And Cracks In Your Church’s Stained Glass
The most common repair to church stained glass windows and not nearly as pressing of a problem as the ones above are the chips and cracks in the glass. Although not urgent, it does affect the beauty and luster of your church’s stained glass. But the cracks could also be an indication that the glass is under some sort of pressure or stress– meaning the frame could fail. So, if you notice cracks getting bigger or increasingly popping up, contact a professional stained glass repair company like us at Stained Glass Denver.
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.
