| Stained glass windows are a beautiful addition to any | | | | damage the glass surface in the process. |
| home whether as part of a remodel or new | | | | When inspecting your stained glass for possible |
| construction. When most people hear stained glass | | | | damage there are several different areas to look at. |
| panels, images come to mind of old cathedrals with | | | | Glass - The glass can have single cracks from an |
| extremely large panels depicting religious scenes. | | | | internal stressor, or several cracks from an external |
| Those are beautiful examples of the art, but much | | | | source. Also watch for pitting in the glass or |
| smaller simplistic panels can be placed in your home | | | | discolorization which are signs of deterioration. On the |
| to add character. Windows for your home can come | | | | other hand bubbles and textures within the glass are |
| in a variety of shapes, designs, and sizes, which can | | | | normal and were probably part of the artisans vision |
| be used in many rooms throughout the home. | | | | for the piece. |
| Stained glass panels can also be set in doors whether | | | | Lead - Due to the fact lead is soft, malleable, and |
| it is a large exterior front door or interior sliding | | | | easily soldered is also can sag and lose its structure. |
| doors, stained glass can add a unique touch while | | | | Be on the look out for bulging in the stained glass |
| allowing in light. | | | | panel, and cracking near the solder joints. |
| Time and the elements do take a toll on the glass, | | | | Paint - If the paint was not fired into the glass |
| but much less damage occurs than you would think. | | | | properly it can be more vulnerable and fragile. Watch |
| In reality too much cleaning can be worse for the | | | | for blistering and peeling of the paint on the glass. |
| panel than the sun and the rain. Stained glass panels | | | | Putty - Putty is usually used to seal the glass with |
| in old cathedrals have been in place for centuries with | | | | the structure. Over time it can go hard, crack, and fall |
| minimal damage to the surfaces. With proper care | | | | out which creates leaking in water usually between |
| and knowledge of the signs of damage your panels | | | | the lead and the glass. |
| can look great for generations as well. | | | | Window Structure - If a stained glass panel is not |
| Generally any stained glass exposed to the outdoors, | | | | installed correctly the window will begin to sag and |
| the exterior surface on a window, is kept clean by | | | | bulge. If the window has been in for some time this |
| natural means. Any extra scrubbing is more likely to | | | | could be regular settling of the structure and is |
| scratch and damage the glass deeming this an | | | | actually better left alone. |
| unnecessary task. Interior stained glass window | | | | So regularly inspect stained glass panels for defects |
| panels on the other hand do need periodic cleaning. | | | | such as bulging, sagging, faint paint, water leakage, |
| Generally the glass surface should not be wet | | | | cracks, rattling glass, peeling mortar, and loose copper |
| cleaned as water can do damage to the glass, lead, | | | | ties. If the damage is bad enough contact a stained |
| putty, and metal components. Light dusting is the | | | | glass conservator. Many times work to repair glass |
| best cleaning method on these glass surfaces using a | | | | damages it more than just leaving it alone! Ensure |
| soft, dry brush with possibly some combined | | | | any work to be done is absolutely necessary before |
| vacuuming. Though you should always be careful that | | | | going through with any glass restoration. |
| the brushes and implements used are soft as to not | | | | |