| Owners of older homes appreciate the beauty of | | | | depth. A panel that is 1" or less out of line and does |
| stained glass. In some cases, the stained glass | | | | not rattle should be professionally examined, but may |
| windows may have been the emotional "reason" that | | | | not need to be repaired. Panels more than 1½" |
| prompted you to buy your house. But as with so | | | | out of true need to be removed from the window |
| many other aspects of old house ownership, stained | | | | and professionally flattened and releaded. |
| glass needs maintenance and care. Below are some | | | | Check the glass. Because of the difficulty in matching |
| suggestions on how to care for your windows -- and | | | | some old glass, it is preferable to repair cracked glass |
| how to recognize when to call in an expert. | | | | rather than replace it. And not every crack needs to |
| A stained glass panel is constructed of 1) individually | | | | be repaired. If the crack is small and in no danger of |
| cut pieces of clear or colored glass, or bevels; 2) held | | | | falling out, leave it alone. If glass is missing or badly |
| together by a matrix of lead came or copper foil. | | | | cracked, call a professional. If repairs are minimal and |
| Lead came dates to mediaeval times and is the | | | | the panel is large, an on-site repair may be possible. |
| traditional method of assembling leaded glass panels. | | | | If you have to transport the glass to a professional |
| Zinc came is associated with the prairie designs of | | | | restorer, start by securing loose cames and glass |
| Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries. Copper | | | | panes with painter's tape. (Do not use duct tape!) |
| foiling is the method introduced by Louis Comfort | | | | Remove the sash with panel still attached. For added |
| Tiffany, and is the preferred method for constructing | | | | security, lay the panel on a larger sheet of plywood |
| intricately designed art glass panels and lampshades. | | | | and tape it down. Smaller panels can be wrapped and |
| An additional step in the construction of leaded glass | | | | laid flat in a wooden box. |
| panels is the application of cement to fill the space | | | | Clean a sound leaded or copper foiled glass panel with |
| between the glass and the inside surface of the lead | | | | a soft rag and a neutral pH soap. Wring the rag out |
| or zinc came. Cement is applied to the front and back | | | | well. Avoid abrasive products which can scratch the |
| of the panel to weatherproof and add strength to | | | | glass or metal. Do not use spray products or those |
| the panel. Large panels also should be braced with | | | | containing ammonia. The liquid can get under the foil |
| saddle bars or reinforcement bars. | | | | or lead came and the ammonia can react with the |
| Inspect your windows for age and buckling. To | | | | lead or cement. Windows in bathroom or kitchen |
| assess the condition of the lead or zinc cames, look | | | | settings can be cleaned with a dampened #0000 |
| for telltale signs of metal fatigue and corrosion. Old | | | | steel wool pad to remove soap residue, grease, and |
| lead is still functional if the exposed face of the metal | | | | mildew. Polish with a paste product such as Glass |
| (the flanges) can be lifted and flattened without | | | | Wax or a stained glass polish available at any stained |
| cracking. Lead covered in a fine white powder has | | | | glass supply retailer. Use a soft rag to apply the |
| oxidized and has reached the end of its useful life. | | | | paste, let dry, and buff. CAUTION: This process may |
| Zinc covered with small white spots is worn out, too. | | | | release lead dust into the work area. Clean any |
| Examine the metal for hairline cracks near the joints, | | | | surfaces surrounding the panel (sashes, sill, and floor) |
| particularly around the border of the panel. These | | | | with soap and water to contain any lead residue. And |
| indicate metal fatigue. | | | | wear a dust mask. |
| Large or especially elaborate glass panels are often | | | | Protective glazing, while not necessary, can provide |
| reinforced with steel or brass bars. These saddle | | | | protection to your stained glass panel from vandalism |
| bars, about 1/8" thick by ¼" wide, are attached | | | | or a wayward baseball. To maintain aesthetics, the |
| to the cames and notched into the sash to stiffen | | | | storm window sash should be of similar material to |
| the window and help support the panel's weight. | | | | the original sash. Depending on local building codes, |
| Some reinforcement bars are soldered to the cames, | | | | the glazing can be double strength glass or |
| while others are fastened with twisted copper wires. | | | | Plexiglas(R). Note that plastic glazing will yellow and |
| If the bars have separated from the came, they | | | | scratch over time. Lexan(R), which will not yellow, is |
| should be reattached using the original method. Bars | | | | nonetheless very easily scratched. Tempered double |
| that have split the came will require releading by a | | | | strength glass is expensive, but offers the best |
| professional restorer. | | | | protection. |
| If the panel has developed a bulge, measure its | | | | |