Sunday, November 26, 2017

Questions To Ask Stained Glass Restoration Companies Berkshires Residents Choose For Repairs

By Charles Wood


If you are in the market for an older home with character and style, finding one with stained glasses windows is a unexpected bonus. Homeowners, church maintenance committees, and others who own this type of artwork all know how critical it is to keep it in good repair in order to make it last. Those who are looking at windows in need of restoring can contact the stained glass restoration companies Berkshires experts recommend.

Not everyone understands the complexity involved in restoring these special windows. Many assume you can visit an art supply store, that stocks stained glass project supplies or offers courses in the technique, and hire a staff member to do the work. This is never a good idea. What you need are professionals trained in the art of restoring these kinds of windows. They will show you past projects and let you tour their workshop and job sites.

Once you have found some reputable applicants for the job, you should let them know what kind of restoration you want. They also have to understand the scope of the job. Being as detailed as possible will allow the companies bidding on your project to give the most accurate assessment of what it will take to complete it, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.

Totally re-leading windows is not a job that can be done on site. The restoration crew will have to remove the entire piece and take it to their workshop for evaluation. The old lead has to be removed before the restorers will know anything about previous repairs and can accurately assess the window's current condition. Craftsmen take measurements, photographs, and do rubbings.

Re-leading is not the only method of repairing stained glass. There are methods known as in-place which do not require the restorers to remove a window from its frame. Sometimes they will wash the piece and caulk any broken or cracked areas. Under other circumstances, the restorers may decide to add support bars to the window or suggest a partial re-leading job. Some customers mistakenly believe that the entire piece is going to be re-leaded.

Most reputable restorers much prefer to completely re-lead a window and consider it the only way to truly restore the original intention of the artist and maximize the structural integrity. The backbone of a piece is the lead channel. The cement compound is second in importance. Partially replacing old cement with new is as problematic as partially replacing the lead.

Owners commonly ask restorers about the possibility of partially re-leading a window in an effort to reduce the overall cost. Reputable restoration companies point out that problems can occur unless the entire project is restored. Since all the components are of equal age and wear, the new leading can create too much strain on the other parts.

Beautiful stained glass is art as much as any painting or sculpture. Allowing it to deteriorate beyond repair is a real loss. A good restorer can make all the difference in the look of a vintage piece.




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