For more than a quarter of a century Glasswood has established an excellent reputation in the fi eld of conservation and restoration and reproduction of historic windows. A

dedicated and skilled team of professional craftsman are on hand to provide advice and a full range of services including the design and manufacture of fi ne stained glass windows, decorative panel and traditional leaded lights. We specialise in the replacement/restoration/conservation of iron and steel windows. We supply and install protective screens and stainless steel protective mesh guards.

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Restoration

Stained Glass and Leaded Lights

Stained glass and leaded lights are manufactured using many

small panes of glass with a lead came joining the panes together to form a larger glazed panel. Larg-er windows may require several smaller panels joined together. When the panels are manufac-tured all the lead joints are sol-dered and then a cement is applied which secures the glass into the lead cames and provides strength and weather proofi ng. Individual damaged panes can be replaced in situ using glass as close to the original as possible. Over a long period of time (many decades) the lead will gradually oxidise and be-come thinner losing its strength. The cement will deteriorate and release its hold on the glass and eventually turn to powder and fall-out. Further deterioration may take place due to impact damage and

require the in situ replacement of damaged glass. Leaded glazing eventually reaches a stage where the only option is to remove the glazing and remake it at workshop level and restore it to its former glory.

The panels are carefully removed from their openings, be that stone, timber or iron. The panels are carefully dismantled taking care to ensure that when the panel is remade the same piece of glass returns to its original position in the panel. The original glass is then cleaned and any replacement glass sourced to duplicate the original as closely as possible. The panel is then reassembled using new lead cames to the exact pattern and dimensions of the original. The panel is then refi tted to its original opening in the traditional manner.

Timber windows

Timber frames tend to develop rot where water collects along

the bottom rail and end jams and mullions. These can often be repaired in situ or replacement timber frames can be manufactured to match the old windows.

Double glazing

We are asked regularly to fi nd ways of providing traditional windows however that are double glazed. We would be happy to discuss your particular requirements.

“ We would be happy

to discuss

your particular

requirements ”

Before After

Before After

Iron and steel windows

Iron and steel windows are ferrous and even correctly maintained

will corrode.

Accessible surface corrosion can be treated and dealt with in situ however it is the inaccessible surfaces behind the glazing or within the stone or timber surrounds that cause long term problems.

It is not possible to deal with this underlying corrosion in situ. Left untreated, the corrosion will expand and eventually damage the stonework or timber frame and break the glass.

When the underlying corrosion takes hold it is impossible to restore and the iron frames require removal.

In the majority of cases it is possible to restore the existing

iron frames conserving as much of the original material as possible. The frames are deglazed and shot blasted back to bare metal.

The true extent of the damage caused by the corrosion is then assessed. Any repairs and replacement of severely corroded section is then carried out. The frames are then treated, decorated and re-glazed prior to refi tting the openings.

We will use various treatments and fi nishes depending on the requirements of the work in hand.

Associated ironwork

Leaded glazing is inherently fl exible and requires additional

support. This support is provided by external bars or internal steel strips. As with the metal casements the ferrous bars do corrode causing substantial damage where the tips of the bars are within the stone or timber surrounds. Left unchecked the corrosion to the tips of the bars will expand and burst the stone. The bars can be removed with the glazing or can be removed with the glazing in place.

Depending on the situation and the requirements for

conservation, the bars can be restored and the corroded tips removed and new stainless steel tips welded in place or in many cases replaced with non ferrous, stainless steel, phosphor or manganese bronze bars depending on the requirements of the work.

Stonework

The damage caused by the corroding ironwork and minor

repairs to the stone surrounds can be dealt with by our tradesman as a matter of course. More serious damage requiring replacement stone may require the attention of a stonemason.

“Left unchecked

the corrosion to the tips of the bars will expand

and burst the stone”

A rusted latch before and after shot blasting

SERVICES

The manufacture, restoration/conservation or duplication of:

stained glass, leaded lights and associated iron work. Traditional fl at iron windows, steel windows, protective polycarbonate screens, laminate glass screens and stainless steel mesh guards.

CONSULTANCY

Glasswood can provide a consultancy service, providing

reports and recommendations on all forms of leaded glazing, iron and steel windows and stone mullioned windows. Glasswood will carry out work to the instructions provided by the architect or advise and make recommendations if required.Glasswood can provide detailed no obligation reports and quotations.

Glasswood deal with minor repairs to leaded glazing

through to major restoration/conservation projects in excess of £100K. At Glasswood we understand the nature of historic windows and glazing with extensive experience of working in historically important buildings and churches using traditional methods and materials. We treat every project with respect and are sympathetic to the integrity of the buildings we are working on.

The aim of conservation is to retain as much of the original

glazing as possible with the minimum of intervention. There comes a point where the windows have deteriorated to a level where complete restoration is the only option and the glazing would be removed and restored to its former glory again retaining as much of the original as possible.

“The aim of conservation is to retain as much of the original glazing as possible with the minimum of intervention”

CONSERVATION / RESTORATION

Glasswood provides a complete service, from the initial consultancy through to the removal, restoration and installation. We provide a friendly professional service to individuals,

architects, organisations and conservation companies throughout the South West.

GLASSWOOD

Unit 34 Great Western Road. Phone: 01935 826693 Martock. Fax: 01935 826712 Somerset. E-mail: glasswooduk@aol.com TA12 6HB Web: www.glasswooduk.com

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