how to weatherize stained glass
I have stained glass above the regular windows. I’m currently stripping the beautiful wooden shutters and window frames and it is apparent 1 of the stained glass windows is bent inwards and there are gaps around some glass edges. My neighbors have glass in front of the stained glass. They dont know who did it…
I have stained glass above the regular windows. I’m currently stripping the beautiful wooden shutters and window frames and it is apparent 1 of the stained glass windows is bent inwards and there are gaps around some glass edges. My neighbors have glass in front of the stained glass. They dont know who did it or how its done. DIYer here. Its a golden opportunity to remove the wooden moldings to expose the frame that the stained glass is in. I guess I would mess up the flashing on the outside, but does anyone know what I would have to put in front of the stained glass and frame to protect it from the weather and make it more insulated?
I had some small stained glass windows repaired by Thomas Venturella of Venturella Studios in Manhattan – it was a couple of years ago, but he did a very nice job and his number then was +1 (212) 228-4252. He discussed with me whether I should have glass on another set of stained glass windows – there already was glass there when I bought my home, and he didn’t think I needed to remove it under the circumstances, but he was fully conversant with the issues. My job was really quite small, and he was most courteous in handling it, so he may well be willing to talk to you about yours.
The problem with the bulge in the window is caused by failing lead and the “cement” that is packed into the lead channel when the window is built. It is caused by simple expansion and contraction of the various materials over decades. The advice posted previously to repair “just the bad parts” is not correct. This will leave the window with some old and soon to fail parts, which will result in having to do the work all over again shortly.
I am the field representative for a national stained glass firm and I meet and review stained glass problems in churches throughtout the northeast. However, your project is propably not large enough to justify the expense of hiring a national “expert” and probably not historic glass. Consulting a local firm is a better choice. Kelli Stained Glass in lower Manhattan does a lot of home stained glass repair.
Protective covering will cause more damage and should not be used for energy savings. The stained glass association of America has determined that coverings over stained glass must have a ventilated channel between glass layers to prevent damage from overheating and moisture buildup.
It is not a do it yourself project due to “lead contamination” problems. The lead in the window is hazardous waste and if disassembled in place, may contaminate your home. The lead must be properly handled at the studio with protective equipement worn by the repair crafts person. The old lead when disposed, is subject to EPA guidelines and if you dispose of it, you must properly document that it was given to a licensed hazardous waste disposal firm.
Good Luck
RJE
Google kirks glass art and e-mail Jeanne. She’s an amazing stained glass artist and will absolutely have an answer for you.
i agree with some of the comments above – adding a storm window can actually cause problems because condensation can form on the stained glass and because the addition of a storm window creates a kind of super hot micro-climate between the two windows and the hot air will push on the stained glass (which you said is already bowed). storm windows can work, though, if they have a vent.
juilie sloan is excellent but takes on big projects. i would suggest talking to gil studio in brooklyn.
Get a professional to repair it, this is not DIY. The “leading” part that joins the glass has a life of max 100 years and probably just needs to be redone in parts. The various preservation stuff I’ve read on the subject advises against adding another pane of glass, plexiglass etc. Better to repair the stained glass itself. If you need to stabalize and weatherize temporarily until fund/time is available, you might try using some of that “rope caulk” putty to keep the glass in the frame and close gaps. It’s easily removable and a cheap quick fix.
Sunburst Studios on 3rd avenue in Brooklyn could perform the required repairs, and I imagine they could give you an estimate if you emailed them a photo.
They can be reached at (718) 768-6360
Kyle Page, AIA LEED AP
Sundial Studios Architecture & Design, PLLC
There are a couple firms in Brooklyn that specialize in stained glass repair. They might advertise here, or perhaps I’ve seen their names in other posts. Try Vinca’s links or a google search on stained glass and Brownstoner.
Well I’m not in a landmarks block yet. I dont want lexan because that tends to haze after a while and I think glass would be better. Condensation, hmmm, thats something to think about. I wasn’t really thinking about fixing the stained glass yet, although I do know how to do that. My primary concern is to protect the stained glass from further degradation and create more of a barrier from outside cold winds. The window itself is in a wooden frame and if that is removed and a sheet of glass is put in front of it that protects both the frame and the glass and then the flashing could be caulked around the edges. Mmmmm pretty. Thanks for the links I will explore. any more suggestions?
For the most part, stained glass repair/preservation is not a DIY job. Your neighbor’s protective glazing is probably polycarbonate (most often, lexan), which can introduce its own problem of condensation, while doing nothing to repair the buckling you described. In addition, if you live in a historic district, you’ll need an LPC permit to install. Two links for information below—the first is an NPS Preservation Brief; the second is a link to the site and info of conservator Julie L. Sloan (not local). There are many previous Forum threads about local stained glass artists/studios:
http://bit.ly/bfuHp0
http://bit.ly/cvsnAY