Stained glass could be enameled glass, colored or painted glass or glass tinted with true glass stains. The techniques for stained glass repair and stained glass restoration has evolved over the years. Different factors affect the aging of the stained glass thereby requiring repair and restoration.
Repairs and restoration methods
Minor Stained glass repair includes replacing pieces of the broken glass. This can be done right at the place without having to take out the glass. This work is also called stop-in repair. The came flange around the broken glass piece is cut, it is then folded back to either replace or repair the glass and the joints are soldered. It is difficult to repair zinc came windows because they are too rigid to open up. The new cames are patinated but not in place because of the harmful remains.
In case the paint is fading or deteriorating on a window, a cover plate of thin and clear glass can be painted and mechanically attached to the original glass. To match the original painted image a reverse image needs to be painted on the cover plate. Stencils are useful in creating a perfect replica.
Another important problem to deal within stained glass restoration is glass cracks. Due to change in temperature stained glass windows undergo expansion and contraction which causes glass cracks. Vibration and building movement are yet other causes. Three important methods are used today to cope with this problem. It consists of silicone edge-gluing, epoxy edge-gluing and copper-foil repair. One must be aware that these methods are different in terms of visual effect, strength and reversibility. The repair must be chosen according to the case by a specialist.
Copper foiling: it is one of the oldest techniques and is the best choice for glass with one or two cracks. In this method a thin adhesive tape (copper foil) is put across each side of the crack, soldered and trimmed. This is not a suitable method for unstable glass because of the usage of heat which can increase the damage. Copper foiling is reversible, produces a strong repair and the repaired crack is only a 1mm wide line.
Epoxy edge gluing: An almost invisible line is produced as a result of epoxy edge gluing. This technique is especially of value at the focal points of a window. It can also be used to repair microscopic cracks caused by extreme heat. Although the repair produced by epoxy is strong but it tends to weaken when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, in order to guard it from UV degradation secondary glazing is essential. This method is least reversible, most expensive and most time consuming among the three techniques.
Silicone edge-gluing: This method is useful when a flexible joint is required. For example in multilayered and plated windows or windows which are undergoing constant stress. Repair done by silicone edge gluing gives lowest strength, it is least expensive and is reversible. As a repair method, it’s not a very sound technique. It is a cause of even more damage to the glass.
The craftsman is responsible for looking into each case and handling it as per the requirement. As long as we remain open to learning, we can keep on preserving and restoring the magnificent stained glass windows along with their histories for centuries to come.
This blog for seo is written by Gdweblab
Repairs and restoration methods
Minor Stained glass repair includes replacing pieces of the broken glass. This can be done right at the place without having to take out the glass. This work is also called stop-in repair. The came flange around the broken glass piece is cut, it is then folded back to either replace or repair the glass and the joints are soldered. It is difficult to repair zinc came windows because they are too rigid to open up. The new cames are patinated but not in place because of the harmful remains.
In case the paint is fading or deteriorating on a window, a cover plate of thin and clear glass can be painted and mechanically attached to the original glass. To match the original painted image a reverse image needs to be painted on the cover plate. Stencils are useful in creating a perfect replica.
Another important problem to deal within stained glass restoration is glass cracks. Due to change in temperature stained glass windows undergo expansion and contraction which causes glass cracks. Vibration and building movement are yet other causes. Three important methods are used today to cope with this problem. It consists of silicone edge-gluing, epoxy edge-gluing and copper-foil repair. One must be aware that these methods are different in terms of visual effect, strength and reversibility. The repair must be chosen according to the case by a specialist.
Copper foiling: it is one of the oldest techniques and is the best choice for glass with one or two cracks. In this method a thin adhesive tape (copper foil) is put across each side of the crack, soldered and trimmed. This is not a suitable method for unstable glass because of the usage of heat which can increase the damage. Copper foiling is reversible, produces a strong repair and the repaired crack is only a 1mm wide line.
Epoxy edge gluing: An almost invisible line is produced as a result of epoxy edge gluing. This technique is especially of value at the focal points of a window. It can also be used to repair microscopic cracks caused by extreme heat. Although the repair produced by epoxy is strong but it tends to weaken when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, in order to guard it from UV degradation secondary glazing is essential. This method is least reversible, most expensive and most time consuming among the three techniques.
Silicone edge-gluing: This method is useful when a flexible joint is required. For example in multilayered and plated windows or windows which are undergoing constant stress. Repair done by silicone edge gluing gives lowest strength, it is least expensive and is reversible. As a repair method, it’s not a very sound technique. It is a cause of even more damage to the glass.
The craftsman is responsible for looking into each case and handling it as per the requirement. As long as we remain open to learning, we can keep on preserving and restoring the magnificent stained glass windows along with their histories for centuries to come.
This blog for seo is written by Gdweblab