Stained Glass Restoration for Houses of Worship
Stained Glass Austin is your go-to expert studio when it comes to repairing and restoring religious stained glass. We have developed special processes over the years that allow us to both restore antique or damaged stained glass back to its original glory and strengthen the piece during the restoration and installation processes.
Our restoration work can add another century or more of life to church stained glass. We have seen how important these stunning works of art are to the members of churches. When it comes to stained glass restoration, we advise churches to contact us as soon as they are aware of any issues. If the windows are allowed to deteriorate further, they become more challenging and costly to restore.
Church Stained Glass Repair
Religious stained glass has been popular in Austin churches for over a century, which means many of these windows have reached antique status. Since glass can break and lead can deteriorate, it’s possible your church’s stained glass windows, doors, or other panels have one or more pieces of damaged, cracked, or chipped glass. Perhaps some of the pieces have fallen out entirely. Regardless of how old the glass is, we are usually able to match it and fully repair the window. We work with the top glass manufacturers around the world, so we have access to thousands of colors, types, and textures of glass. We can even order custom glass to make a perfect match if necessary.
Church Stained Glass Restoration
Church stained glass windows can require a more extensive process, known as stained glass restoration. Here are some of the reasons why a panel might need full restoration:
1. The weight of the window and the pull of gravity have caused it to sag over time.
2. The lead strips that hold the glass pieces together have become damaged, bent, brittle, or no longer form a tight seal to the glass. Although glass is not affected badly by exposure to the elements, the lead strips definitely can be.
3. If the window is sagging or bowing, the stress on the glass will cause cracks to form, and some pieces of glass may start dropping out, which can be dangerous.
4. A piece of Plexiglas has been added to the exterior of the stained glass window to protect it from the elements or from vandalism. However, Plexiglas is always a mistake because it traps heat between itself and the stained glass, and that heat buildup can further damage the lead, causing it to deteriorate even faster.
With our special restoration processes, the window will be removed, taken to our studio, and restored with loving care and attention to detail. It will be cleaned, polished, reassembled with new reinforced lead came strips, and reinstalled using newer and longer-lasting installation techniques.
Scroll through our comprehensive guide to religious stained glass restoration below:
Exterior Protective Coverings for Your Church Stained Glass
Exterior protective coverings give you the proper defense you need for your church or commercial property’s stained glass. We offer proprietary aluminum systems that are similar to commercial storefront systems for this purpose. These systems can house a variety of different protective coverings including plexiglass, tempered, plate, and laminated glass. We’ll help you determine which option is ideal for your specific needs.
These aluminum systems come equipped with internal ventilation to ensure your stained glass has proper airflow for long-term durability so we n0 longer have to create ventilation through existing frames or glass. These systems are available in white, dark bronze, metal finish, and custom colors.
Another great benefit about these exterior protective systems is that they also preserve your existing window frames. This prevents the need to repaint your wooden frames from weather damage every 5 or so years. Enjoy a long-term, permanent solution that lowers your maintenance needs and provides superior protection. If the exterior glass panel is ever damaged, you can easily pop out the damaged glass and replace it.
Contact Us Today
For more information about church stained glass repair or restoration in Austin or across the state, please contact Stained Glass Austin today! If you are inquiring about a large, potentially costly restoration, please also ask us how we might assist you in the fundraising necessary for the stained glass restoration project.
