Stained glass – has the decorative details – faces, flowers, scrolls, lettering etc fused onto the glass pieces making up the design after having been applied by brush.  A leaded light has no painted details – its made up of pieces of uncoloured or coloured glass – where the colour is integral to the glass. In both stained glass and leaded lights the individual glass pieces are held together in the lead matrix (lead ‘cames’ with the joints soldered) and made rigid and waterproof by applying ‘cement’ – a black putty-like compound.  Much of what we do are leaded-lights, tho stained glass is the most commonly used term.

We fit (and remove the old glass, if relevant) most of our own work. We have quite comprehensive instructions available for our self-fit customers. However installing stained glass and leaded lights successfully is not at all like fitting regular glass.  To save some costs, some clients will removed the old glass and all traces of the original putty etc, before we come to fit the new leaded glass.

Yes, we have quite comprehensive fitting guidance available for our self-fit customers, although its not really a DIY job.  Installing stained glass and leaded lights successfully is not at all like fitting regular glass.

Yes. A lot of my work is bespoke,  based on clients' ideas and on images they may have seen. Many of the deigns in our gallery pages may be modified to suit a specific space.  We provide a coloured drawing (the visual) of the proposed design.

We dont really supply glass.  We tend only to stock glass we regularly use on jobs.  But if you need a small piece of coloured glass or plain glass with an unsual texture we might be able to help.  Regular window glass is available from the usual glass merchants.

For a new piece, it usually takes around 4 weeks from when the design is finally agreed and the coloured glass chosen, to being ready to fit – thats if we have no backlog of work, and we have the glass in stock, or its readily available – so generally allow around 5 to 8 weeks.

We will quote you, once we know the size and have some idea of the design and issues around fitting.  You may find references on the web to costs from (and sometimes way beyond) £100 to £200 per square foot - (£1000 to £2000 per square metre).  These rates might not include elements for design, removing old glass, fitting the new work, any protective panels or double glazing, and use of any particular quality glass.   The more complex a panel is – in terms of shapes, and particularly the number of individual pieces of glass that have to be cut and assembled, the greater the cost.  Glass including traditionally hand painted elements can be costly. 

Installation of leaded panels behind laminated safety glass affords much greater security, since it is almost impossible to penetrate. It also provides protection to the leaded panel, particularly for busy households. If installed on the outside – providing maximum deterrent factor, the outer sheet of glass means that the external appearance particularly in daylight is different to an unprotected panel due to reflections.

We will try to match the new glass to the existing as closely as possible – but precise matches may not be possible – either in texture or colour. New lead may have a slightly different profile to the original, and will have a more uniform satin dark grey finish, different to the patina of the old lead.  If there are one or two minor cracks in an otherwise perfect panel that is well fitted, then consider leaving them alone. 

A small number of cracked pieces may sometimes be replaced in-situ, provided the panel is accessible and in otherwise good (ie its not bowed, and the glass isn’t loose in the lead) condition, although the manipulation of the lead may be visible.   If the lead has been bent or stretched out of shape, then the panel may need to be completly rebuilt.

If the panel is damaged such that it can’t be fixed in place, we remove it, board over the opening for security, disassemble the glass from the lead, and wash to glass. We then cut new glass to replace the broken or lost pieces, and rebuild the panel with new lead in the traditional way. It’s then refitted in the opening, often with new steel support bars. Stained glass damaged by accident or criminality is usually covered on domestic buildings insurance, so contact the insurance compnayto see what their proceedure is, and before appointing anyone to do th restoration work.