Even stained glass which is well structured, reinforced, and has a strong leading concept will require attention after a certain amount of time. This period is normally 70 to 100 years.
Inspection of leaded glass is recommended every 20 to 30 years.
Repair & Restoration
Our repair and restoration program, one of the most important phases of our operations, is concerned with the structural integrity and aesthetic character of any work of art. Our expertise and experience have prepared us to cover many types of projects, from the simple replacing of pieces of glass, to the rebuilding of an entire panel, to the reproduction of painted glass.
We know that a repair job can be simply replacing a piece of glass or releading a window and that a restoration project may mean extensive and complex procedures. In either case we always consider the artisic, historical and budgetary aspects in our step by step repair and restoration schedules.
Pristine Glass works closely with its customers, starting with an on site inspection, followed by a written report, with photographs and diagrams, detailing the condition of each window and recommending treatment procedures. Estimated costs are included. We then repair or restore on site or in our studios, depending on the amount of work needed to preserve the work of art. Each panel is carefully repaired for buckling and bulges, for releading, soldering and glass replacement and for strengthening the structure.
We have repaired and restored valuable and important works throughout Michigan, including windows in churches and commercial and residential establishments. We have also worked with the Michigan State University Museum and numerous historical societies to restore panels based on their guidelines and criteria.
St. Cecilia's Music Society's Tiffany window. Originally installed in October, 1895 and restored 100 years later, this is one of Grand Rapid's finest. View the complete restoration
As many stained glass windows increase in age, we find an increasing need for their repair. This can be caused by simple exposure to the elements, vandalism or many other assorted reasons. Simple oxidation may be enough to cause this need. The greater the degree of oxidation, the more brittle the channel becomes and the more likely it will crack. When this occurs, the domino effect begins, and other problems take place. Even stained glass which is well structured, reinforced, and has a strong leading concept, will require attention after a certain amount of rime. This time period is normally 70 to 100 years. Inspection of leaded glass is recommended every 20 to 30 years. If we suspect windows are in need of restoration, a visual and physical inspection should be undertaken and a written report submitted.
Three indications of deterioration which result in the need for restoration are 1) buckling, 2) cracked solder joints and
3) dislodging of glass from the lead channel. The first stage, buckling, is usually the result of any combination of causes:
too tight a fit within the rebate, with insufficient allowances for expansion and contraction
inadequate reinforcement a weak leading concept of, for example, repetitive parallel lines(especially true of horizontal or diagonal lines)
loss of support, either through frame deterioration or loss of contact with stress bars.
At times, minor buckling can be slowed for a short period. This is done with the addition of bars to reinforce the area. However, the bars cannot be adequately installed in a vertical position, and is, at best, a stopgap procedure. As the buckling continues, it is prone to loosening putty and cement. It also causes the breaking of solder joints. At this time buckling accelerates, as does the overall movement of the panel. When this occurs, attention and consideration of repair is warranted. The next stage, which proceeds total collapse, if not addressed, is the unhousing of glass. At this point, the necessity for attention is immediate.
Bulges cannot be adequately corrected with the window in place. The panel must be removed and repaired professionally.
At this point, I would like to touch on a problem many windows suffer from, in-situ(in place) repairs. this has been and most likely will continue to be a distressing problem. It occurs when repairs are made to a window while still in place. In most instances these repairs do considerable damage to the structural integrity of the entire window. This is due mainly to the inability to replace glass and lead to the original size and condition. The soldering and cementing required cannot be done properly in this position. The only time any professional will undertake a procedure such as this is if the institution cannot financially handle the proper repair and it is a case of protection from the elements. the proper procedure must be accomplished within a short period of time after the in-place repair is finished.
There are two proper methods used on broken panels. One is repair, and the other is restoration. Restoration differs from repair most significantly in its philosophy. Repair emphasizes maintenance to slow deterioration. Generally, aesthetic judgments are secondary in repair work. Decisions to replace broken glass or retain them are not addressed with the same discrimination. Restoration emphasizes structural stability. However, aesthetic determinations are of equal importance in the support of the original work. We restore to both preserve and maintain the finest in stained glass.
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