Conservation of Period Property

The leaded lights shown here were the only original windows remaining in a farm house building built in 1676. The green tint of the glass in these lights is due to it being broadsheet glass, which was the cheaper production method of the 17th century, as opposed to crown glass.

The lights were in a poor condition when rescued with several broken pieces of glass and corroded lead. It was decided that the lead needed to be completely replaced but as much glass would be conserved as possible.

In the releading process all the glass was positioned as it had been originally and broken fragments were fitted into the whole. Also used in the lights, where necessary, was glass salvaged from a building of the same period. Although this was mainly crown glass, it was used due to it being of the correct age.

The finished leaded lights were fitted into the restored oak frame and one onto a new custom built flat iron casement to which it was attached in the traditional way using lead ties and rivets and faced with blackened putty.

MAKING TRADITIONAL STAINED GLASS TO RESTORE PERIOD PROPERTY

One increasingly popular aspect of our work involves the growing trend in returning period properties to their origInal state. Many properties had all the stained glass removed in the 1960s-70s when the vogue was for increasing the amounts of light into 'dingy' victorian houses.

By observing leaded lights and stained glass in neighbouring properties we are able to create new work which has all the character and integrity of the original, missing lights.

Using photography, rubbings and detective work we are able to create stained glass windows that are sympathetic to their surroundings. There are several glass types available on the market, primarily made for restoration, which complement the period glass of the originals and, although our colour palette may not be quite as broad as that enjoyed by, for instance, Victorian leaded light makers, the results are very pleasing.

For further information about stained glass and leaded lights visit www.waynerickettsstainedglass.com