Signs It’s Time To Restore Your Salt Lake City Stained Glass
Home Stained Glass Restoration In Salt Lake City
Most people don’t realize how durable stained glass is- but only to a point. That point is usually about 80-100 years for glass built in the 20th century. When stained glass is properly cared for it will last a very long time. However, unlike church stained glass, your Salt Lake City home’s stained glass has likely not had much tending and has been subjected to constant exposure to harmful aging factors: UV light from sunlight, extreme weather conditions, indoor and outdoor man-made pollution, and biological damage caused by pests. These things cause the glass panels to become deeply encrusted with years of dirt and debris. Therefore, if your windows haven’t been cleaned in the last 5 years or so–at the very least, we can safely say your windows need a deep cleaning. But it could need a deeper restoration depending on a few easy to spot tell-tale signs of its conditions.
Signs It Is Time For More Than A Stained Glass Cleaning
The build-up of dirt and grime is, by far, the most common service we perform on home stained glass here at Salt Lake City Stained Glass. However, a fair amount of home stained glass needs restoration to ensure it lasts. Very old and large windows, especially need a solid restoration because of their size and value.
Sagging Or Bowing Of The Stained Glass Window
If you notice bowing or sagging of your stained glass window, it means one or more of the following is happening
- The lead caming is stretched
- The attachment to the support structures is failing
- The framing materials are in need of repair
These are clear signs the window needs to be removed, re-leaded and the frame possibly rebuilt.
Visible Light Through Gaps In The Stained Glass Window
Gaps in the glass panels is another clear-cut example of leading that is stretched or an issue with the support system. Since we know the glass did not shrink or change size enough to cause a gap, the logical place for an issue is with wood or lead. It is fairly likely that, over time, they have moved or stretched and need to be replaced.
Missing Or Broken Leading
Lead is the most likely part of a stained glass window to fail in its lifetime. The formula for leading today has changed to be stronger so, the lead on stained glass windows from this century could last over 200 years. However, lead from the 20th century only has a life of about 80 years so, if your window was built before about 1940, the leading needs to be replaced.
All of these issues are ones we, here at Salt Lake City Stained Glass, deal with on a regular basis. We are stained glass experts and would be happy to come to your Salt Lake City home and inspect your stained glass windows. We will give you a clear idea of scope and pricing if your SLC stained glass needs restoration. Contact us today for more information on home stained glass restoration in Salt Lake City.
Martin Faith
Martin Faith is a talented artist, visionary, and collector of antique stained glass windows. Prior to moving to the United States, Martin worked as a stained glass artisan in Glasgow. There, he spent many years cultivating his skills and learning the techniques and history behind the centuries old art form. Today, he is the proud owner of Salt Lake City Stained Glass, the largest and most highly renowned stained glass studio in Utah. Over the past 30 years, Martin and his team have produced over 50,000 stained and leaded glass windows ranging in size, style, and appearance. His company has been highlighted on various media outlets including HGTV, the DIY Network, CBS, and NBC.
