Restorations

Custom Stained Glass has successfully completed many restoration jobs throughout the New England area. We have worked on many of Boston’s historic churches, removing, restoring and re-installing a wide array of historically significant windows. Because of our years of experiance in working with stained glass and our respect for the traditions of the early stained glass craftsmen we are uniquely qualified for restoration work of all kinds.

Below are some of the steps we go through when expertly restoring antique stained glass windows. Each job has its unique challenges, but the general process we use, is the same process used by the stained glass artisans of old.

St Mary's Church

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  Starting the Restoration

  To start each restoration, the window is photographed and the damage assessed and documented. We then create a wax crayon rubbing of the window to get a blueprint of the window’s layout. This is used throughout the process to keep track of all the individual pieces of stained glass that make up the larger design.

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  Assessing the window

  The glass is then removed from the lead matrix and placed on the wax rubbings, which was created at the start of the restoration process and broken pieces are marked for replacement. Each window is unique, so each window’s restoration brings its own challenges.

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  Rebuilding the glass

  The first stage of rebuilding the stained glass requires patterns to be made for all sections with broken glass. Later these patterns will be used as templates for replacing the damaged panes. Once the patterns are made, the glass is then matched for color and texture and replaced.

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  Replacing the glass

  Longer pieces of the original glass will be used to replace smaller broken pieces, while others will be joined with restoration grade glue.

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  Reassembling the window

  The window is then reassembled with new lead using the rubbing as a guide.

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  Restoration detail

  Each restoration is different, requiring an artisan’s experience to know what can be used from the original and what to replace. We take great care to rebuild the window in the manner of the craftsmen of old.

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  Almost complete

  Near completion, this is one of the four windows in this Church almost ready to be installed. Below the glass you can still see the wax rubbing of the window created at the start of the restoration process.

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  Ready for installation

  Once at St. Mary’s Church the window is ready to be installed. The careful measurements taken at the start of the restoration process, will ensure a flawless re-installation.

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  Installing the restored window

  Once the window is finished we return to it’s original location and prepare to install the newly restored stain glass window. This is a delicate operation so great care is used when placing the stained glass back in their original frame.

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  Restoring the past.

  We return the newly restored stained glass window to it’s original frame. This is a delicate operation so great care is used to ensure a secure and lasting placement.

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  Left border detail

  A closer detail of the finished, fully restored stained glass window. Here we see the left border section of the newly installed stained glass window. Most of the leading was replaced on these border panels.

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  Bottom detail

  Here is a shot of the finished lower section of the window, beautifully restored to it’s original clarity and color. The new leading will ensure this window will maintain its beauty for another 100 years.

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  Fully restored

  Newly installed, this window adds beautiful light and a peaceful serene atmosphere to this room. The quality craftsmanship we bring to each project will ensure this window will continue enhance the beauty of St Mary’s for many years to come.