People often love older homes because they’re more ornate than the plain ones being built today. Back then, between the late 1800s and early 1900s, it seems like beauty triumphed over function more often than not, and anytime you get a chance to see a well-preserved house or building from that bygone era, it’s well worth your time.
Older homes often incorporated stained glass windows, whether over doors or within window frames, giving them a unique look that’s adored by many people the world over.
As beautiful as older stained glass windows are, over time they can encounter some problems due to their age– just like people, right? People sag. Windows sag. It’s somewhat inevitable.
That said, stained glass windows can be restored. Some people opt to do it themselves, while others rely on the services of a professional, like one of the experts from Cumberland Stained Glass Windows of Mechanicsburg, PA. Either way, it’s always a good idea to restore older windows so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Remember This When Restoring Stained Glass Windows
When might an older window need restoration? If you notice it sagging or bulging, it probably needs “help.” If your window has gotten quite dirty and it’s time for a cleaning to see what’s underneath the accumulated dirt and grime, you should use warm water combined with a neutral-pH soap. Use a soft rag to apply this solution. Oftentimes stained glass windows utilize leaded glass, so you don’t want to use any solutions containing ammonia– this could cause a bad chemical reaction that you don’t want to happen.
If you’re looking at your window and notice a white powder coating on the surface, that indicates that the metal has oxidized and needs replacing. Look for cracked or broken metal parts– if they’re there, the window needs fixing. Also, if parts of the stained glass have broken or gone missing over the years, perhaps now is the time to have it fixed.
Most people don’t know too much about the care and maintenance of stained glass windows. They generally say, “Well, it’s old and it looks like it’s in rough shape so I need to call someone to do something about it.” In that case, Cumberland Stained Glass Windows is who to call– 717-691-8290.