We continue to work on these beautiful windows. They were created in Germany. and installed in 1927. The painting is truly magnificent, and our glass painter Nancy Cox, is doing a wonderful job recreating the broken pieces. Painting is a pain taking process, especially when you are copying the work of an artist from the early 20th century.
Whenever we restore historic windows we attempt to preserve whatever glass we can. We also use matching lead profiles when we assemble the window. Fortunately we use DHD metals in Conyers, GA. They have an unsurpassed assortment of all types of lead came old and new, This makes my life much easier. Of course if we ever run into a profile that they do not have a new dye can easily be made.
The process of restoring historic windows involves following the guidelines of the Department of Interior. These set standards for releading, gluing,replacing, reinforcing, painting, and many more facets of the restoration process. Firstly of course, we carefully remove the windows and transport them to the studio in crates. Then before we disassemble them we make archival rubbings for the church to keep on file. These would be used as a cartoon pattern and,are essential in the event of a fire or other disaster that may destroy a window.
Whenever we restore historic windows we attempt to preserve whatever glass we can. We also use matching lead profiles when we assemble the window. Fortunately we use DHD metals in Conyers, GA. They have an unsurpassed assortment of all types of lead came old and new, This makes my life much easier. Of course if we ever run into a profile that they do not have a new dye can easily be made.
The process of restoring historic windows involves following the guidelines of the Department of Interior. These set standards for releading, gluing,replacing, reinforcing, painting, and many more facets of the restoration process. Firstly of course, we carefully remove the windows and transport them to the studio in crates. Then before we disassemble them we make archival rubbings for the church to keep on file. These would be used as a cartoon pattern and,are essential in the event of a fire or other disaster that may destroy a window.
Then we begin the disassembling process by soaking the window in water to soften the old putty. This allows us to more safely take the window apart, without breakage.
archival rubbing ` soaking
first firing in kiln of painted piecesThe next step is to disassemble and check for pieces that may be glued, or need to be replaced. If they need replacement they are set aside and duplicated. The final step is painting and then firing in our kiln at 1250 degrees F. This fuses the glass paint to the glass.
Then we begin the building process. Cleaning the pieces, leading up the window, soldering, puttying, and finally cleaning again. Now they are ready to install.
Checking pieces leading up soldering joints Puttying
Two of the first 10 installed
