About the service
Every panel I take on starts with an inspection on site, in daylight if possible. I look for bowing of the panel, cracked and missing pieces, sections held together only by old cement, lead came that has oxidised and gone brittle, and open joints where the putty has fallen out of the rebate. If the window has historic value, the first stage is inspection and a written estimate with photographs and a rubbing or drawing of the came layout, and nothing irreversible happens without the owner's written consent.
I am open about the material. Old stained glass is built with lead came and lead solder, and that is toxic. I work in gloves and with extraction over the bench, lead offcuts and solder dross go into a sealed container and are taken to a recycler rather than into household waste, hands are washed after every session, and there is no eating or drinking anywhere near the cutting and soldering area. Removing a panel from its opening is always a two person job done in place: old glass is heavy, brittle and rarely sits in the frame the way the drawing suggests.
Glass matching is done honestly. I search for the closest match in colour, density and surface texture, but a hundred year old sheet cannot be reproduced exactly, and it is better to know that before the work starts than to argue about it afterwards.
What the job includes:
— inspection, photographs, a layout drawing and a written estimate before anything is dismantled;
— careful two person removal from the opening and disassembly to the drawing;
— replacement of cracked and lost pieces with matched glass;
— resoldering of the joints and renewal of worn lead came;
— recementing the panel and sealing it against weather;
— frame repair and reinforcing bars fitted along the solder lines;
— patination of the new solder seams to tone with the old ones;
— refitting with a new bed of sealant and protective glazing on the outside;
— a photo report of each stage and dates agreed before the work begins.
I am open about the material. Old stained glass is built with lead came and lead solder, and that is toxic. I work in gloves and with extraction over the bench, lead offcuts and solder dross go into a sealed container and are taken to a recycler rather than into household waste, hands are washed after every session, and there is no eating or drinking anywhere near the cutting and soldering area. Removing a panel from its opening is always a two person job done in place: old glass is heavy, brittle and rarely sits in the frame the way the drawing suggests.
Glass matching is done honestly. I search for the closest match in colour, density and surface texture, but a hundred year old sheet cannot be reproduced exactly, and it is better to know that before the work starts than to argue about it afterwards.
What the job includes:
— inspection, photographs, a layout drawing and a written estimate before anything is dismantled;
— careful two person removal from the opening and disassembly to the drawing;
— replacement of cracked and lost pieces with matched glass;
— resoldering of the joints and renewal of worn lead came;
— recementing the panel and sealing it against weather;
— frame repair and reinforcing bars fitted along the solder lines;
— patination of the new solder seams to tone with the old ones;
— refitting with a new bed of sealant and protective glazing on the outside;
— a photo report of each stage and dates agreed before the work begins.
