Stained Glass Repair And Restoration

Stained Glass Restoration for Rose Hills Memorial Chapel

Stained glass is often used in settings like funeral homes and mausoleums due to its calming effect. Watching the sunlight sift through the glass and illuminate the colors can be very peaceful. Light is associated with the divine and its presence can be reassuring and instill a sense of hope. This is why when the Rose Hills Memorial Chapel started to notice issues with their Dalle Glass, they immediately became concerned. They contacted our team and requested our help. Below, we’ve shared the story of this stained glass restoration project so that Salt Lake City churches can gain a better understanding of the methods involved as well as the benefits.

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Five Major Benefits of Stained Glass Restoration

Stained glass restoration is a great idea for many reasons. It can help to preserve the beauty of the stained glass, help to protect it from further damage, and even increase the value of the piece. Additionally, restoration can help to ensure that the piece is accurately and correctly restored to its original form and design.

Five Top Benefits of Stained Glass Restoration in Salt Lake City

1. Improved energy efficiency: Restoring stained glass can help restore the original structure and provide better insulation, allowing for improved energy efficiency. 

2. Increased beauty: Restoring stained glass can help to bring back the original vibrant hues and colors of your Salt Lake City windows, allowing for a more beautiful overall appearance. 

3. Improved structural integrity: Restoring stained glass can help to reinforce the frame and glass, increasing the longevity of the piece. 

4. Added protection: Restoring stained glass can help to protect the glass from further damage and deterioration. 

5. Increased value: Restoring stained glass can help to increase the resale value of a property.

The Stained Glass Restoration Process

The stained glass restoration process begins with an assessment of the condition of the glass, which usually involves a visual inspection or the use of a magnifying glass or microscope for a more detailed look. 

The assessment can include an analysis of the glass’s composition, measurements of the lead came that holds the pieces together, and a record of the color, design, and other details. Once an assessment has been made, the restoration process can begin. 

This process can involve removing the glass from its frame and cleaning it with a mild detergent to remove dirt, dust, and other contaminants. 

The glass may then be re-leaded, and the frames may be repaired or replaced. Color matching can be done to restore the original vibrancy of the glass by adding new pieces of stained glass. Finally, the glass is re-installed and sealed with a protective glazing compound.

If you’re interested in learning more about stained glass restoration in Salt Lake City, contact us today. We’ll be happy to explain the process further and schedule a free consultation.

The Benefits of Historical Stained Glass Restoration for Salt Lake City Properties

For Salt Lake City commercial properties that have original stained glass features, you understand all the incredible benefits it can offer. Commercial stained glass can improve visual branding and marketing efforts, attract new clients, improve guest retention rates, and much more. From aesthetics to function, stained glass can provide a wealth of advantages. In order to ensure your Salt Lake City property can continue to reap the benefits, periodic historical stained glass restorations are necessary.

The Advantages of Historical Stained Glass Restoration for Your Salt Lake City Business

Historical stained glass restoration can add over another century of product life to your windows and features. By restoring your stained glass, you can actually improve your overall property value by achieving the antique value of your glass. Restoration ensures that your iconic stained glass feature has the opportunity to continue providing the incredible branding and marketing benefits it already does. Proper restoration can actually improve the aesthetic of your stained glass– many clients are stunned by how fresh and vibrant their stained glass looks once reinstalled. We offer safety glass features that can provide even more structural integrity and protection. Restoration is also a more cost-effective solution when compared to replacement. Restoration and replacement can both be great options depending on your specific needs. A professional stained glass contractor can help you decide the best investment for your commercial property.

Work with Salt Lake City’s Top Historical Stained Glass Restoration Studio

Salt Lake City Stained Glass is honored to be the top historical stained glass restoration studio serving the Utah area. We’re providing virtual consultations and can help you get started with your project from the comfort and safety of your own home. We’re looking forward to working with you!

For more information regarding historical stained glass restoration, please contact us!

 

Is Restoring Stained Glass Worth the Investment?

When it comes time to restore your stained glass, you may not expect the cost required for this process. Stained glass restoration is a very labor-intensive process that can take around a month for one window alone. Stained glass actually requires restoration every 75 to 100 years, making this process inevitable. When weighing your options, restoration is actually a worthy investment for preserving your beloved stained glass. Stained glass investment actually provides some great benefits for any Salt Lake City property.

The Advantages of Stained Glass Investment for Restoration

Investing in your existing stained glass is great for improving the overall value and ensuring the antique value is optimized. Stained glass investment is actually much more cost-effective than replacement. The great thing is that the initial cost of restoration is cheaper than replacement but the overall appraisal value after the work has been finished skyrockets. Similar to renovating a home, stained glass restoration offers the same equity benefits. Stained glass investment also ensures that future generations get the opportunity to enjoy your piece as well. When properly executed, restoration can actually add another century or two to your stained glass’ lifespan. We’re always happy to help you evaluate the price of repairs vs. restoration vs. replacement.

Work with Salt Lake City’s Leading Stained Glass Investment Experts

Salt Lake City Stained Glass is honored to be the leading stained glass investment experts serving the Utah area. We understand how important it is to find a great ROI for any investment you decide to make. We provide thorough stained glass assessments that include appraisals, cost-benefit analysis, and the different pricing for work. Our stained glass artisans can return your stained glass back to its former glory with our renowned restoration process.

For more information regarding stained glass investment for your property, please contact us!

Understanding the Investment of Stained Glass Repair

Dealing with a broken leaded glass window can be stressful. Often, stained glass artwork is passed down from one generation to the next and serves as a sort of family heirloom. Churches too, hold their windows in high regard and value them greatly. Many feel that they play an important role of representing their ideals and beliefs. So when a window or work of art is damaged, the owners often feel a sense of heartbreak. Something that is meaningful to them is at risk of being lost forever.
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How Is Painted Glass Restored?

Salt Lake City has gorgeous stained glass features throughout its various properties. These stained glass features sometimes have beautiful painted glass elements that add depth, character, and a true artistic touch. Stained glass requires restoration every 75 years to 100 years in order to properly preserve these pieces. Preservation is key or else your stained glass will deteriorate and require replacement. But, how about painted glass? How is painted glass restored?

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What Is Leaded Glass?

One of the most fun parts of working with a custom stained glass studio is being able to offer your own creative design ideas and really create something you love. One of the design choices you’ll need to make is what type of glass you want your design to be crafted from. With endless glass choices, this part can become overwhelming. Luckily, with the help of our stained glass artisans, you’ll have a better understanding of what different glasses there are and what their benefits entail. One of the more popular glass choices available is leaded glass.

The Benefits of Leaded Glass for Your Salt Lake City Property

Leaded glass is a term that is usually used interchangeably with the term stained glass. However, leaded glass design is often characterized by a stained glass design that’s lacking color. There are numerous clear, textured glass options that offer elegance and a more modern touch. Leaded glass can be paired with pops of color or used alone– the choice is up to you. Leaded glass offers incredible privacy benefits that obstruct unwanted views without the need for window treatments. It’s great for properties looking for natural sunlight and privacy. Leaded glass can also be paired with beveled glass for a high-end, contemporary look.

Work with Salt Lake City’s Leading Source for Leaded Glass

Salt Lake City Stained Glass is honored to be the leading source for leaded glass in the Utah area. We’ve hand-crafted thousands of custom leaded glass designs for clients throughout the nation, offering better function and beauty for their properties. Leaded glass can be a great addition to residential, commercial, and religious properties. Work with our stained glass artisans to create the leaded glass design of your dreams!

For more information regarding leaded glass for your property, please contact us!

When Should Stained Glass Be Restored?

If you are anything like the average churchgoer- you likely don’t know much about stained glass and much less about when it needs repair. It’s not really something the average parishioner knows (or needs to know for that matter) since there are professionals for this very job. However, you may have noticed in a glance that the glass looks dirt. Or perhaps you know it it is very old. But is it time to get it restored? To help you understand on a deep level the state of your stained glass a professional is certainly needed. However, before this and to get a basic sense of your church’s stained glass you can easily do a quick inspection yourself. This should give you the clues you need to know whether a restoration may be imminent. We tell our potential clients to refer to the two A’s– Age and Appearance.

First Consider the Appearance of Your Church’s Stained Glass

Most of the degradation on stained glass is seen on the glass and surrounding structure itself. The way your Salt Lake City church’s stained or painted glass windows looks will tell you nearly as much as you need to know. A thorough look at each part of the glass is critical for clues that restoration is due. Inspect your glass closely, looking for these visual cues and you will be able to tell if you need repair and possible the cause of the damage. We value our potential clients. Which is why we compiled a list of seven common signs you glass likely needs repair. It will help you get a better understanding of your Salt Lake City church’s stained glass and upcoming maintenance that may be needed.

Appearance: 7 Top Signs of Stained Glass Deterioration

  1. Sagging or Bulging Glass: Walk up to your stained glass window and inspect. Look at both the windows and panes of glass. Is any bulging apparent? Do any of the panes of the window look concave or convex in appearance? Then stand far enough away to get a full view of the windows. Does your stained glass look uneven? Are some horizontal lines slightly tilted up or down? If any of these are true of your stained glass window they could be suffering from wind damage or structural degradation.
  2. Dull or Faded Looking Stained Glass: Inspect both the glass and the lead creases of your glass. Is there dirt build-up between the leading and on the glass? Are the colors muted? The light coming through should be bright. If it is dull it could mean decades of dirt on your Salt Lake City church’s stained glass windows–both inside and out. Ask around to older members to find out the last time the stained glass was cleaned. A lot of things “stick” to glass and build-up over time: environmental debris, dirt, grease, and even old cleaners that probably shouldn’t have been used. While you can clean your stained glass yourself, if your glass is extremely dull, doing a thorough cleaning yourself is probably not enough.
  3. Cracked Stained Glass Panels: Now look at each panel of your glass. Especially at attachment points. Cracks tend to radiate from this point. Do you see tiny fissures near the lead? What about in the middle of glass panels? Over time and with fluctuations in humidity and temperature the supporting structures, especially wooden ones, will cause small fissures. If the cracks are in the middle of the glass panes that may be from something striking the glass and causing damage. Things like hail, tree branches or even a bump from inside will crack stained glass just like any windows. Small cracks are pretty harmless but, over time the pieces of glass will rub together and make the damage worse. It will also increase the scope and cost of repair.
  4. Gaps In The Glass: Look at your glass when evening falls. Turn off the lights in your chapel and get close to the glass. Where you see the white light of daylight is coming through is where you have gaps. Look especially close around the frames of the panels since this is where gaps usually form. Glass will shift over time due to the movement of the frame and gravity and cause spaces. Or you may find these gaps are actually pieces that have broken off completely in those areas.
  5. Detached or Failing Frames or Support Structures: To inspect all the support structures around the window you should carefully sight along the intersecting frame lines. There should not be any steel bars showing or protruding. If you have wood framing–make sure no wood is missing, broken or splintered. Structural damage is almost always considered severe because it puts your stained glass windows at risk for failure. Since these structures keep heavy glass in-place– repair to these support structures should be pursued quickly.
    Soft Lead: If you can get close enough to the stained glass of your Salt Lake City cathedral to touch it–you can test for soft lead by carefully squeezing various parts of the lead beading. Soft lead means the leading is bent or will bend under the weight of the glass. Ultimately, this will cause sagging or even cause entire panels to fall out. This symptom of damage almost always proceeds or goes hand in hand with sagging or bulging glass. *Lead is a toxic substance so we suggest wearing gloves if you want to do this yourself. Calling a professional to deal with any sort of lead caming is the best/safest option.
    Cracked Lead: Take a good look at all the lead around the panels of your stained glass windows. If you see cracks, chips or missing lead–your window needs to be re-leaded. This is very common in stained glass windows built at the beginning of the last century since the life of lead in that era is about 80 years. You may not realize it but the actual glass on your window is the strongest part. When stained glass windows require repair or restoration it is usually because of issues that stem from the degradation of the lead, since glass itself really doesn’t “degrade”.

Age: Why It Matter To The State of Your Salt Lake City Church’s Stained Glass

We are at a point in history that is critical for preserving stained glass. Since so many windows in this country were created at the turn of the 20th century–most of it now needs repair. This is true here in Salt Lake City and across the United States. We have reached a point where restoration is imminent on nearly every older church. The leading and structures on these windows were only meant to last about 80-100 years before needing repair. Since it is 2019–the time has come! But that is a great thing since it means parishioners of these churches get to see their glass with its original life and luster after it is restored. If your Salt Lake City church is older than 80 years old and has stained glass windows–it may very well be time for a restoration. We hope this article has shed some light on why and prompted you to have a professional from Salt Lake City Stained Glass come check it out.

Whether because of age or any of the seven appearance signs of degradation–we are always happy to come inspect any church’s stained glass windows. Contact us at Salt Lake City Stained Glass to schedule a free on-site assessment for your church today!

How to Get Started with Stained Glass Restoration Projects in Salt Lake City

When your stained glass starts showcasing signs of deterioration, it can definitely be unsettling. Since stained glass is a significant investment, owners may feel troubled when they begin to see these signs of damage. In order to avoid damages beyond repair, stained glass must be restored. The typical restoration period is around the 75-year to the 100-year mark. Stained glass restoration can be a great way to keep your investment in great shape. In order to get started, finding the right stained glass studio can make all the difference.

Finding the Right Stained Glass Restoration Studio for Your Salt Lake City Property

Stained glass restoration is a very technical process that requires trained experts to execute. Finding the right studio is pertinent so that you don’t waste any time, money, or resources in the future. When vetting stained glass studios, always make sure to ask for portfolio work on projects similar in size to yours as well as two to three solid references. If any stained glass studio tries to give you a quote without an in-person assessment, this is a big red flag. An on-site assessment must be completed in order to determine the project scope, causes of deterioration, project estimate, and project timeline. Interviewing potential stained glass studios on their past experience can be really helpful as well.

Work with Salt Lake City’s Leading Source for Stained Glass Restoration

Salt Lake City Stained Glass is honored to be the leading source for stained glass restoration. We’ve worked with commercial, residential, and religious clients in their efforts to properly maintain their stained glass features. Work with the top restoration specialists to make sure the proper respect is given to the original artist and your project is successful.

For more information regarding stained glass restoration for your property, please contact us!

3 Reasons Not To Wait to Begin Restoring Salt Lake City Stained Glass

Damage to stained glass can be devastating to experience. And, because of the repair costs, it can also be stressful. One day, you glance up at your stained glass and see that the beautiful windows are starting to crack or the paint is flaking off. Or maybe a storm comes rolling through Salt Lake City that causes the windows to bend or break. Either way, you need repairs.

We understand that some people may be hesitant when it comes to stained glass restoration for their Salt Lake City home or property. They may think the damage isn’t that bad and therefore the repairs aren’t needed. Or they’re just concerned about the cost. However, when it comes to restoration, it’s best not to wait. Why? Because the situation can get a whole lot worse than it already is. Let us explain.

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