Restoration
We restore stained-glass and leaded glass from all eras, carefully, professionally and in accordance with the guidelines for the protection of historical monuments.
The restoration of stained-glass and leaded glass objects requires specific skills and expertise, which we have continuously developed over the years. In doing so, we take into account the guidelines of monument protection and the Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi.
Analysing the damage
The first step is to analyse the damage. This includes identifying broken pieces of glass, damaged lead profiles, cracked solder joints and other problems such as cracks or discolouration.
Measures
A catalogue of measures is then defined.
The general rule is
The windows should be treated as carefully as possible, and the historical substance should be interfered with as little as possible.
The glazing can be restored, repaired or reconstructed.
Necessary measures may include, for example
- Cutting off edge lead, removing putty and paint residue from the edge of the field
- Replacing defective, missing or incorrect panes with glass that is as close to the original as possible, or gluing the cracks
- Deoxidise lead coils at the edge and at broken solder joints, carefully scratch the top oxidised layer of the lead with a scalpel, insert emergency lead, solder on new lead, re-solder broken solder joints, desolder old copper adhesions for holding the winding iron
- Carefully clean the glass panes
- Securing the paint layers
- Stabilisation of the panels by filling with linseed oil putty and soldering on tap wrenches
A special restoration concept is developed for each new task. It is also possible to provide comprehensive photographic and written documentation of the work. Our services range from the repair of a small piece of stained-glass in a piece of furniture to extensive, large-scale projects. For church windows, windows in public buildings and in private homes.
Our services also include the preparation of expert reports on the restoration of glass artworks.
