AdammsGallery

Vintage Stained Glass Restoration

     

                                                                                                                             

 

                                          


     The month of January saw us very busy restoring and repairing lots of vintage stained, beveled, and leaded glass windows. Most of the stained glass was 90-150 years old. We were working on a home in Marina Del Rey that had been remodeled years ago. The owners installed over 50 stained and beveled glass windows about 50 years ago. Being close to the ocean all those years the windows were not in good condition. They also hadn't been kept up well which exacerbated their condition. We had to stay on a budget so we chose which windows would get the most restoration. The sashes were repaired by others, so we focused solely on the glass. Some of the windows we brought back to the studio while others we were able to repair on site. Fortunately, we didn't need ladders except in one case, so the repairs went faster than anticipated.

          

 

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     To repair the clear glass we used restoration glass, and we had very good matches on the stained glass with what we already had in the studio. That's one of the benefits of having been in business for over 50 years. A few of the windows, and a double door was zinc came and had lots of broken pieces. These we brought into the studio and disassembled large portions of them. 

     The end result was a tremendous difference in strength, and vibrance. The owner was thrilled with the results.

Custom Stained Glass Windows in Rancho Palos Verdes

This was one of the more fun projects we have worked on. A charming couple inquired about hiring us to create eight stained glass windows and two stained glass skylights for their new home.

They had definite ideas for very colorful windows with hand blown and machine-made translucent glass. They showed us some designs, and we adopted them to the sizes and added some design elements. Also, this was the first time we had encapsulated the stained glass in an insulated unit. The clients were very excited during the whole project, and asked for pictures, as well as coming into the studio to see the progress. They traveled a lot so sometimes there were delays as they were either unreachable or it was difficult to contact them. 

Once the drawings were completed, and approved we picked out the glass. We used a combination of Lambert hand-blown, Spectrum water glass, and Kokomo cathedral glass. After we finished the windows, we let them sit for over two weeks so the glazing would dry. We needed to make sure the glazing had set and would not bleed once the windows were encapsulated. The finished thickness of the encapsulated windows had to be 3/4' to fit in the window sash. 

                                                                              


To encapsulate we ordered 1/8" clear tempered glass for each side. With glass in hand, we took all the windows to Wholesale Glass in Van Nuys, California. Tyler at Wholesale glass is fantastic, and the whole team does excellent work with a tremendous attitude. Once in Wholesale's clean room we gave the windows one glass cleaning and then we set one sheet of the tempered glass on the bottom and another on top of the stained glass. The encapsulating process involves wrapping an enclosed spacer around the window and then placing the top tempered glass in place. We allowed 3/8" on each side of the window for the spacer and hot encapsulating sealant. The process is relatively fast, and we were gone in about 2 1/2 hours.

                   
    

The next step was to deliver and install the windows. The existing new window sash had insulated glass in them. We removed the sash from the window frames and set them on our working tables. It took about 45 minutes to remove the glass from each sash and install the new windows. Finally, we installed the sash back in the windows and waited for the applause. The entire project was an overwhelming success. The owners loved them, and we were also very happy.

Let me know what you think.

Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue Encino, CA, Stained Glass Restoration

   

                                                                                                                       

 

  Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue is the beautiful synagogue in Encino, California. The synagogue dates back to 1950 when three small congregations joined together and moved an old schoolhouse from Long Beach to the San Fernando Valley on Sepulveda Blvd. However, this rapidly became too small so the congregation moved to a small motel in the area. The end of the 1950's and beginning of the 1960's saw the congregation expand and build a permanent home. on the corner of Densmore and Ventura Blvd. The expansion of the synagogue saw tremendous increases in community participation including the Jewish youth. 

                                              
   

     As the 1960-'s came to a close a search for a new rabbi would see the congregation grow beyond anyone's wildest dreams. The construction of the main sanctuary included two contemporary stained-glass windows. One on either side of the Bima. The synagogue was truly off and running. Everything looked bright until on the evening of May 7th, 2003, a firebombing of the synagogue destroyed a large section of the Westerly stained glass window. As disturbing and frightful as this was there was overwhelming comfort when the valley community came together. "Where do you find the sparks of decency in tragedy? In the response of men and women of all faiths who, on the very next evening, gathered together in a prayer of solidarity at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church just two days after the fire-bombing. Men and women, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Baha’i, Armenian clergy, who sang and prayed and heard each other’s anguish and each other’s resolve to stand together to offer each other their houses of worship to those sanctuaries which were violated."

     Temporary repairs were made to the window, but it would be nearly 20 years before a total restoration would be completed. The restoration of the windows was a small part of a major expansion and remodel of the sanctuary and building itself. We were contacted at the end of 2023 to make a proposal for the repairs to the window. The temporary repair was in fact a hand painted reproduction of the stained glass done with acrylics on two sheets of 1/4" acrylic glass. There were still numerous broken pieces and smoke and burn marks on the adjacent areas. The windows were approximately 4' wide and 25' tall. They were made up in sections that were about 3 feet tall. After a thorough inspection we determined that the horizontal supports were far too weak to be reused. Each section was held in place by 1 1/2" aluminum H bar, we would replace these with 1" steel T bar. We removed both sets of windows, boarded up the openings with 1/2" plywood and brought them to out studio in Santa Monica. Once in the studio we soaked them in water, disassembled, and cleaned the pierces. Of course, we recycle all the old lead came.

                                                                                                           

     The glass was colorful cathedral glass manufactured by The Kokomo Opalescent Glass Company in Kokomo, Indiana. We have a wonderful relationship with Kokomo and use their glass often in restoration projects. Most of the glass was available from the local distributor (Hollander Glass Company in Stanton, CA.). The design was rectilinear with images of Hebrew letters and symbols as well at menorahs, Shabot candles, and other Jewish themes. All the paint was black creating a subtle feeling against the colorful background. The leading was a mixture of flat H ranging in width from 5/8" to 1".

                                                                                                       

      Therre were no images of the 3' x 12' section that had been destroyed so we used our imagination adding similar line work and colored glass. The restoration process took about 2 1/2 months including removal, acquiring the replacement glass, painting the images, fabrication and installation. We finished just in time for the reopening celebration.

                                                                                                      

 I have said many times that the joy in restoring religious windows cannot be matched. The wonderful feedback and love we get from the administration and members of the congregation are a payment that cannot be equaled. The windows are now ready to be inspiring and appreciated by many future generations. 

                * Thanks to Alberto Marquez(Chief Glazer), Jose Ceja, Armondo Colon, Mary Orrell our magnificent painter, and Bart Pachino of Valley Beth Shalom(Executive Director)

19th Century European Stained Glass Window Restoration

 

   

I acquired this window along with an identical one about 30 years ago. The designer who brought them in couldn't afford to have us restore both of them, so I kept this one and restored the other which she gladly took in exchange. For this one we replaced about 35 broken or missing painted pieces and totally restored it. The red glass is all antique (mouth blown) German glass. The painted gold colors are achieved with silver stain paints. All the painting is fired in a kiln which fuses the paint to the glass. The paint is actually composed of dyes and finely ground glass. The center medallion of the cavalier on horseback may not be original with the window. When we acquired the window the medallion's leading showed signs of being replaced at some point. However, since the state of the window was p[opopr it could have just been loose and was reworked to fit back in. the leading. We disassembled the window, thoroughly cleaned it and releaded it with all new lead. I happened to have an old oak sash that we were able to cut down a bit and make it fit. The window is about 72" x 30" and has a dramatic effect.

After all these years I have decided to retire it to my home. I love it when a beautiful window gets a nice home DON'T YOU?

The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, Stained Glass Repair

                                                                                                        
                          

 

In November of 2022 we were asked to inspect the stained glass windows in the Club House restaurant at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.  The Riviera Golf and Tennis Club is a historic club. It was founded in 1926 by members of the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The club was an immediate success with many celebrities and prominent businessmen signing up as members. Over the years the club had been the home of the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Senior Open and the NCAA Championships.  In 2028, it will host the men’s and women’s golf competitions when the Olympic Games come to Los Angeles.

There are five sets of hemisphere windows approximately 8 feet wide and 44" tall. They are comprised of two panels each being 1/4 of the window. The windows had many broken pieces, but the main problem is that they were very loose.In actuality, the windows themselves were not installed properly. While there is wood molding around the perimeter the two sections of the window are supported in the center with a steel T bar and putty. The problem is that in a normal T bar installation there are steel clips that fasten the windows to the T bar before the putty is applied. In this case there were none., and the glazing putty was nonexistent.

                                          

On the initial inspection of the windows, I also noticed that there was a considerable number of broken pieces, and there were areas that needed reglazing. After explaining the problem, and submitting a proposal, we were asked to do what was necessary to restore the windows to their original condition. The Club also wanted us the finish the restoration before the beginning of the Genisis Open which is scheduled for February 16th, 2023. 

We removed all the windows at the beginning of December and the Club installed clear acrylic in their place. We then transported the windows to our studio in Santa Monica. Once in the studio we began work on them. With samples of the glass, we were able to order the pale green background glass directly from Kokomo Opalescent Glass. Surprisingly they are able to get it to us in about one week. The rest of the glass (old Desag hand blown antique glass from the 1970's and 80's) we fortunately had in stock. The repairs went very well. All the glass was a perfect match and there were no surprises in the procedure. We let the windows sit for a few weeks allowing the putty to cure. We also had to wait for the surprising deluge of rain to let up.

Finally, we were able to install the beginning of the third week of January well in advance of the open.

                                          

New Stained Glass Window for Woodlawn Cemetery and Mausoleum, Santa Monica, CA

  

 We have been working at Woodlawn Cemetery and Mausoleum for about 30 years. Until now all the work we have done has been stained glass restoration, repair, or installing exterior protective glazing. The Mausoleum has a separate room with a series of bronze and glass displays that are meant for urns and personal memorabilia. All thew other rooms of the mausoleum have decorative stained glass windows, but this room only had a clear glass window. Unfortunately, the view to the outside was a work area that had sand, co0ncrete, and worktables. It was not a very pretty view. The management thought it would be well served if they co9missioned us to fabricate and install a new stai9ned glass window to liven up the room and block the unsightly view.

               
 

     We discussed what their needs were and made several suggestions as to type of glass and subject matter for the design. They already had a rug, and painting that they wanted to coordinate the window with. Since the majority of the 8' x 12' window was going to be behind the display boxes we proposed a rectilinear design for that part. The design would work with the rectangular shape of the displays, and help keep the cost down to fit within the budget.  We decided to use glass manufactured by The Paul Wissmach Glass Company in Paden City, West Virginia. The green opalescent glass is accented with some deeper greens and a subdued yellow.  For the top portion that would be above the boxes we opted for a design of six white doves flying around three palm trees. The sky is also cut in a rectilinear pattern with deeper blue accents. We painted the detail in the doves as well as the palm trees.

                  

     The window itself is composed of six panels. The bottom has three panels with the two outside panels 20" wide and 8' high and the center 48" wide and 8' high. The top section has two smaller operational windows and a center window that is 48" x 40". The installation went very easily with the storefront metal molding snapping into place, and the vinyl strips for securing and weather proofing the windows.

     The window does exactly what the management intended. It blocks the dismal view, and adds a calming beautiful feeling to the room. The glow put off from the opalescent glass is very comforting. It is always nice to work in the community, and work with the city of Santa Monica. Thanks to the staff at Adamm's Stained Glass Alberto Marquez Stained Glass Glazier, Mary Orrell painter, and Jose Ceja glazier installer, and myself Adamm Gritlefeld.

Roundel Quatrefoil Leaded Glass Windows

                                                                        
                                                                    
                                                                                                                                 

The quatrefoil shape was most popular during the Gothic and renaissance eras. The word quatrefoil means four leaves and is specifically referring to the four-leaf clover. The shape was predominantly used in churches above the Gothic arch. Today we use the quatrefoil shape in Mediterranean, and Spanish architecture.                                                                                                                          

Quite often you will see stained, beveled, and clear leaded glass designs in the quatrefoil shape. We were fortunate to be contracted to fabricate and install two 42" diameter windows using roundel glass. The home was a beautiful home in Malibu, California. The two windows were in a bar, music room, and were in Cantera Stone frames. Inside the frames was a steel set of double casement windows with clear glass. We removed these by cutting the steel and compressing the frame.

We usually use roundels made with Lambert Glass from Germany. However, with the Covid problem Lambert has ceased producing roundels, and they have no immediate plan to continue. We were referred to Monarch Glass Studio in Kansas City. Monarch makes custom roundels that are marvelous. They will make virtually any color, shade or tint you can think  of, and in any size. Tyler at Monarch was a great help.

                                                                                                           

Our customer wanted to use very pale colors to try to match roundel windows he had seen in the Doge's house Venice, Italy. Monarch supplied the colored roundels, which we mixed with clear. We used 7/32" H round lead, and the background glass was clear Wissmach seedy glass. We used two 3/8 steel reinforcing bars on each window. We bent the bars to conform to the lead lines.

                                                                                                                     

The installation was not straight forward. the Cantera stone was set from the inside with four separate pieces and the same on the inside. While the house was not that old the pieces either were not set squarely originally or they had slipped over the years. As a result the opening on the inside was different from the outside. Even after taking exact measurements and making  a template there were corrections we had to make. In addition the two windows themselves had different measurements. With no molding we used Dowsil 795 on the outside and Color Fast Flexible Grout on the interior to match the stucco walls. 

                                                                                                                                     

The final installation was magnificent. The subtle colors filtered in the light and the green plants and trees outside worked very well with the feeling the window and the room. 

The University of Southern California -Doheny Library- Leaded Glass Window Restoration

    

Two years ago we restored the front windows of the Doheny Library at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The Doheny library was built in 1931 by Edward Doheny. Edward Doheny was the first person to discover and produce oil in Los Angeles. At one point he was the richest man in America. The library was built to memorialize his son Edward (Ned) L. Doheny Jr. who was killed in 1929. The library was built at a cost of $ 1.1 million.

                                             
     A major portion of this years project is The Los Angeles Times reference Room. The room as 23 leaded glass windows that are approximately 3' wide and 16' tall. They are comprised of 4 section each in a steel frame. The glass as all hand blown German glass.Originally the glass was a pale amber color, but over time the glass changed color because of a magnesium imbalance. This causes the glass to turn a rose color which with the underlying amber shows as beige. It is actually a very pretty color.

                                            
   This same effect of color change can be seen in what has been called "Desert Glass". Desert glass refers to clear glass bottles that when stored on roof tops in the desert (typically Arizona, or Southern California) turns rose or purple over time. It is sometimes called "sun colored amethyst glass".

                    
     The windows are in poor condition with cracks in the lead came, dried up glazing, broken pieces, and sagging. They needed total restoration. We worked with K.C. Restoration on this project just as we did two years ago when we restored the front windows. We have also worked with K.C. on the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, and the Tower Theater among others. K.C. removed, and installed the windows. We soaked the windows in vats of water to loosen the old putty, and contain the old putty dust(which contains asbestos). In this case it also made removing the old solar/UV film that had been applied to the glass much easier.

                                                       
         After the bath we disassembled the windows, cleaned the glass, and leaded them up with new lead came. Staying with the original lead choice, we used 5/8" H flat lead on the border and 1/2" H flat lead in the body. We added them up, soldered the joints and used Atlas "Wonder"putty to glaze.

                                
          The reinforcing bars are solid brass rods with a flared end the flared ends are set behind the steel sash styles to lock in the windows. As with most pre 1930's windows the bars are attached to the windows with copper wire. We used 16 gauge bare copper wire that was soldered to the joints of the windows and then twisted around the bars.

                                        

                                             The windows are installed in steel frames with screw in steel moldings.

                                                                      
                                                                   Exterior sealant still needs some cleaning up
                                                                       Now on to the rest of the windows

 

Ebenezer Baptist Church Stained Glass Restoration

     Back in February of 2020 we received a call from Bishop Little of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Ebenezer Baptist Church was built in 1938, in South Los Angeles.The Bishop inquired if we would come out to take a look at the church stained glass windows. The windows were sagging and pieces were cracking. We made an appointment for the following week.

             
                                                                     Windows with exterior acrylic before
There are four stained glass windows two are 42" wide and 10 feet tall , and the other two are 42" wide and 12 feet tall. The  windows are composed of 4 sections each. All the windows had very crazed and hazy acrylic on the exterior for protective glazing. On the interior there was obvious slipping of the window. The bottom panels had cracks, and the lower borders had folded. Two of the bottom panels had gaps on top of up to 1". The panels three panels above the bottom panels were in fairly good condition.
     The Church wanted to conserve money(not unheard of), so I proposed that we remove and restore the four bottom panels  and leave the upper panels. We would remove the exterior acrylic and replace it with clear 1/4" tempered glass. It was also obvious that all the exterior woodwork would need to be replaced as it was severely weather beaten and had obvious rot. I presented a proposal to replace, and paint all the exterior wood(leaving the sash and frames), restore the four lower panels, and install the tempered glass. The proposal was accepted, and we scheduled the work. Unfortunately, the Cocid-19 pandemic struck at this time. It wasn't until late July that we were able to begin work.

          

                                                         Deterioration of frame and sash, sagging of window

     We removed the exterior acrylic  and observed just how bad the  frames and sash really were. There was extensive dry rot, and total deterioration of most of the frames. The steel T bars that were supporting the windows were tearing away from the sash. The sill was almost totally useless. We now proposed that we replace the entire set of four window frames and sash. We opened up the wall of the inside and saw that the studs were rotted and the entire wall was like jelly. We would have to rebuild the entire wall. With my friend and contractor Don Van Cura we proceeded. We ordered the frames and sash, and removed all the stained glass panels, and deteriorated frames and sash. Then we boarded up the opening with plywood for four weeks while we waited for the new frames and sash to arrive.

     

Wall with old frame and studs removed           Wall with old studs                        Exterior showing frame removed

                                                                                             
                                                                                              Wall with dry wall and frame installed                         
                  With the frames due to arrive we began rebuilding the walls. Don Van Cura was able to cut the old studs away from the exterior stucco with a Sawzall, and set in new 2 x 4's. He then miraculously screwed the existing stucco to the new 2 x 4's setting in flashing paper and caulking. With the new frames and sash in hand he began installation continuing with the fascia trim, and caulking the complete set of windows. He patched up the stucco, and Ron Benveniste of R.B Painting Company, primed all the woodwork interior and exterior.and we were ready to install the stained glass panels.

                                                    

                                                 Installing T bar                                                Windows installed

    The first step was to set all the original steel T bars in place. We previously cleaned them up and painted them. The bars had a 90 degree bend at each end, and we screwed them in place into the sash. Each bar was spaced to allow for the stacking of glass panels , but each would support their panel separately. With the T bars installed to set the panels in place securing them with steel sash clips, and wood molding. We completed the window installation, and came back after the painters painted the stucco, and interior and exterior of the woodwork. They did a fabulous job in color matching the stucco and frame color. The original color was from 1938.

                                            
                         Exterior with Tempered Glass                                                                     Finished Restoration from inside

     When the final painting was completed we went back and installed the tempered glass exterior glazing. We decided to cover each window with a single piece of glass rather than 4 separate pieces as was originally there. The final result met with many thanks, and much love. It is always such a wonderful feeling to restore beautiful windows and bring them to life once again. The spiritual feeling from the congregation, Bishop, and ourselves is a tremendous reward. During the whole process we feel a kinship with the original artisans that created these windows to so long ago. It's a nice way to honor them as well. Now the church will have these beautiful windows for many generations to come.

  

Custom Angel Seraphim Stained Glass Window

     We love all the work we do, especially when we have a customer that really strikes us as being a wonderful human being. In this case we also found that the subject matter was very interesting. We were asked to make a window based on a Tarot card of the angel Seraphim. This led us to do some research on angels.

Seraphim

These are the highest order or choir of angels. They are the angels who are attendants or guardians before God's throne. They praise God, calling, "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts". the only Bible reference is Isaiah 6:1-7. One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar, cleansing him from sin. Seraphim have six wings, two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are for flying.

To start, our customer sent us an image of a Tarot card.

    

The window was planned to go in a bathroom. After discussing the various types of glass, the need for privacy, light, and color, we decided to use Lambert hand blown German (antique) glass. The medallions were painted on a pale amber antique

 and the center circle was etched using a flashed red on clear antique glass.  

After we etched out the red with sand blasting our expert painter(Mary Orrell) hand painted the blue and purple interior which was then fired in our kiln. We leaded the window up using solid brass came,   


 which we antiqued with a patina. It was then framed ion a pine frame and shipped up to our customer in Seattle.

I think it is a pretty cool window. It is about 30" x 45".

Leaking Leaded Glass Windows

Leaking  Leaded Glass Windows If you have older leaded or stained glass windows you may be experiencing leaks. You may see this as droplets forming on the lead came, and dripping down the window, or as a pool of water at the window sill. Remember that water flows down hill, so if you see water anyplace on the window or sill it is most likely coming from a place higher up. After the rain stops and the water dries you will see water marks where the water has dripped. DO NOT CLEAN these off. The dried spots will help us determine where the leaks actually are.     Leaks may be from dried out a flaking putty, or they may be from broken, or missing lead came. On older windows(65-100 years old), the smog and acid rains have disintegrated the heart of the lead came, and in many cases it just falls apart. Also improper repairs lead to weakened windows and cause leaks. If the leaks are caused from dried out and missing glazing putty we reglaze by forcing the new putty into the lead came between the glass and the lead. The right type of putty will last for many years. The correct putty is metal sash putty. It is either black or grey in color, and is oil based. It should not be thinned with paint thinner, or turpentine. This will only dilute it too much, and cause it to dry out and flake. Do not use white putty. It is meant for wooden sash. Also, by all means, DO NOT USE SILICON. Silicon may seal temporarily, but it will make a mess, and only increase the cost of a repair because it has to be cleaned off before a proper repair can be successful.                             Broken Came      If your window is very old and the lead came has gaps, or holes your window probably needs to be removed and releaded. In this case we rebuild your window with your old glass and new lead came. We will also replace any broken, or badly etched(water stained) glass. To reglaze the window we try to clean out as much old dried out putty as we can. Then we force the new putty into the lead channel. After the window is reglazed the putty needs to set up, so we need a few clear days. Otherwise the new putty stands a chance of being washed out in a heavy rain. On a large window it may take two or three applications before the reglazing is successful. Of course if we totally restore your window you will have a quality window that will last many, many years. IF YOU NEED US WE ARE READY !Adamm's Stained Glass   1426 4th St. Santa Monica, CA 90401  310 451 9390  [email protected]