Our Process for Repairing Stained Glass in Your Houston Home: Antique Glass vs. Newer

By Martin Faith Stained Glass Repair And Restoration Comments Off

Throughout the 25 years that our company has been in business, we’ve repaired quite a few stained glass windows for Houston area homes. Some of this stained glass was relatively new and had suffered damage from some sort of accident or storm while others were old enough to be antiques, some even being over the age of 100 years old. While the process for repairing both newer and antique stained glass is similar, there does tend to be some differences depending on the age. Below we’ll discuss the process for each so you can have a better idea what to expect when it comes to your repairs.

Stained Glass Repair: Antique vs. Modern Stained Glass

There are two main factors that determine how we approach a restoration: the value of the stained glass and the materials that were used for its original construction. First, let’s talk about what determines the value of stained glass. If stained glass is old enough to be considered an antique, it can be quite valuable and therefore we will try to preserve as much of the original glass as possible. Or if it has historic or sentimental value, this can be important too.

However, materials also play an important factor. Many antique stained glass windows were constructed using traditional techniques and therefore most of them have lead caming. On the other hand, stained glass created in the 60’s and 70’s time period is usually held together by a brass material.

Brass does have an interesting appearance, but it typically is not strong enough to hold something as heavy as stained glass together for a very long period of time. These more modern, contemporary pieces are usually unable to be saved and are discarded. However, we will create a new window that matches the old design and address the damage that way.

If it’s determined that the stained glass does in fact have significant value and is worth saving, we will carry out with the entire restoration. During this process, the stained glass is carefully disassembled, cleaned, and repaired using all the original glass pieces that are in decent enough condition that they can be salvaged. Any severely damaged pieces will have to be replaced. Fortunately, we have access to over 50,000 types of glass and can usually replace these pieces with glass of an identical color and texture.

In the end, it really just depends on the age, condition, and workmanship of the stained glass. While we understand that most owners value their stained glass greatly, it just makes more sense to repair some and replace others.

Learn More About Stained Glass Repair from Houston’s Experts

If you have questions about our process or are interested in learning more about our stained glass repair services in Houston, please contact our office. We would be more than happy to discuss your project further with you or provide you an estimate on repairs.

Martin Faith

Martin Faith is a celebrated stained glass artisan from Glasgow, Scotland. In 1991, Martin moved from Scotland to the United States and brought with him his personal collection of antique glass. After opening his own studio, he began selling items from his collection and also creating new custom stained and leaded glass windows for customers in the Houston area. Today, Custom Stained Glass Houston is one of the largest and most successful studios of its kind, specializing in stained glass repair, church stained glass restoration, and residential privacy glass. Over the past thirty years, over 50,000 windows have been produced and sold for over 12,000 customers. The company has been highlighted on top media outlets such as HGTV, the DIY Network, CBS, and NBC and has earned national recognition.