Winter Maintenance for your Stained Glass or Leaded Windows

As winter continues to close in, so does the cold wind, frost and rain. Looking after your stained glass window or leaded lights is imperative to preserve their original quality and character, especially if they were made some years ago. There are a number of steps you can take to ensure the panels in your stained glass window or leaded light maintain their condition over the winter period:

Cleaning

Cleaning your windows is essential as it removes the dirt, grime and insects that cause the glass, cement, wood or cames to degrade and deteriorate in quality, which can lead to bigger issues in the long term. To clean your windows, use a weak solution of vinegar and water as this is effective in clearing away dirt. If you use a bought solution, remember to test it first on a small piece of glass to make sure it does not have any negative effects, such as staining or degrading the glass.

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Damage checks

Ensuring there are no cracks or breaks in the glass is another step in maintaining your windows for the winter. Heavy draughts from fast winds may force any loose glass out of position and exacerbate any cracks. To test if there are any loosened panes that a draught force itself through, carefully and slowly wave a candle around the stained glass window and watch the flame for any abnormal flickering that a draught would produce. It is common to find that air is filtering in around the cracked solder joints.

If you would like further advice regarding the maintenance of stained glass windows and leaded windows, or if you require repair or restoration services, call our specialists at Sherriff Stained Glass Specialists on 01202 882208 or make an enquiry online.

Author: Nathan Sherriff