Shedding Light on Stained Glass

By Doris Cultraro of DC Studios LLC, Rhinebeck, New York

It’s time to shed some light on stained glass. Do you have a beautiful piece sitting in the back of a closet or tucked away in the attic because it’s in need of some serious fixing? Here’s a piece of good news: stained glass can be repaired, restored, redone, or replicated.

Original stained glass, often found in the distinctive homes of Westchester, is a valuable asset that should be protected. Not only does it add character to your house, it pays homage to an art form that was an essential ingredient in décor from the late 1800s to the early 20th century. Today, stained glass is enjoying a renaissance again, so if you’re lucky enough to have it, it’s certainly a worthwhile investment to bring it back to life.

When it comes to stained-glass repair, it’s critical to find a reputable studio with experienced craftspeople who can offer varied solutions to problems. To be performed properly, most repairs must be done in the studio. But, it’s worth the effort. A properly restored window or lampshade can look as good as when it was first installed and can be a wonderful family heirloom to pass down to the kids.

Here are a few common stained-glass problems that can ultimately result in its weakening or breaking. Look for:

• Broken, cracked, or missing glass
• Lead or solder around the glass that’s damaged or pushed back from the glass
• Broken or missing lead or broken solder joints
• No waterproofing putty in the lead (or putty that’s flaking off)
• Support bars or the wires holding them that have separated from the window
• Bows and bulges in the window (daylight visible between the glass and lead)
• Window frames in poor condition
• Poor seating of windows in frames and deterioration of caulk or putty
• Signs of previous bad repairs
• Taped up windows

Here are a few examples that might look familiar:

missing glass, damaged lead, and a poor solution using chicken wire.

Broken and missing glass pieces in lampshade.

Painted sections that have deteriorated and flaked off.

So what happens when you decide to, say, restore that divine-but-in-disrepair window you’ve been looking to fix for years? When the decision is made to proceed with a repair or restoration in the studio, the window is carefully removed (glass or plywood is put up to protect the now open space), a photo record is created, and all pieces are numbered. Measurements are taken, and a rubbing, which becomes a roadmap for the repair, is created to match the design. The window may be partially or totally disassembled depending upon the extent of the problem.

Old glass is salvaged and cleaned, old putty and lead are removed. Any additional glass needed will be matched and new pieces are cut to fit into the pattern. Lead that can’t be reused must be properly discarded, as per environmental regulations. The cleaned glass pieces are carefully matched and fitted into new lead channels, then soldered on both sides and weatherproofed with putty. On re-installation day, your stained glass
window will sparkle and glow as it did when originally installed.

Artist Doris Cultraro is the owner of DC Studios LLC., a full-service stained-glass studio in Rhinebeck, New York, specializing in new custom work and expert restoration and repair services. She has worked with stained glass since 1975 and has taught her craft at the Pelham Art Center and the Katonah Museum of Art. For more information, call (845) 876-3200 or (914) 400-5887.