Craft Glass are specialists in Secondary Glazing and Traditional Leaded Lights. We work to repair, replace or restore traditional leaded, sash, crittal and steel windows from our workshop in Buckinghamshire and this site shares some of the processes involved in this skilled work. To view our full range of glazing services available please visit.
Before the 16th Century windows or apertures had unglazed openings, typically sliding or folding shutters were used instead - made out of wood, horn, oiled cloth or similar. The earliest glazed windows first appeared in prominent buildings or in wealthy families. They used very small pieces of glass (quarrels or quarries) held together with soft lead strips (cames).
In order to make a large window therefore the space was subdivided by stone or timber mullions so the small leaded panels - or "lights" - could be installed either fixed or opening. Hence the name leadlights was created, often abbreviated to "lights".
Before the 16th Century windows or apertures had unglazed openings, typically sliding or folding shutters were used instead - made out of wood, horn, oiled cloth or similar. The earliest glazed windows first appeared in prominent buildings or in wealthy families. They used very small pieces of glass (quarrels or quarries) held together with soft lead strips (cames).
In order to make a large window therefore the space was subdivided by stone or timber mullions so the small leaded panels - or "lights" - could be installed either fixed or opening. Hence the name leadlights was created, often abbreviated to "lights".
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Old glass is a major contributor to the visual appeal of an older property and windows. With its rippled and irregular surface imperfections (such as seeds or bubbles) it gives the glass a vitality when light is reflected and contributes so much more to the character of a building. We've put much of the common terminology for traditional windows and glazing here.
In order to understand how things are made today it is a good idea to be familiar with the terminology that was used historically as much of it is still used today in our Glossary of windows. In this area of the website we are going to explore the different methods for making traditional windows today and some of the restoration process.
Being a traditional craft there are variations on some of the techniques and tools used to make a traditional leaded light, however the process described here is one that has been used for many years - and applies to making a new leaded light panel. Generally leaded light panels are made up of many square or diamond pieces of glass (quarries) separated by lead came, and often vary in size within the panel.
A. This is one of the most commonly asked questions, but also one of the most difficult to answer without a detailed picture of the window in question or a site inspection. For example, if a leaded light panel is bowed either fixed or inside an opening casement, the only permanent resolution to this would be a removal and complete re-lead in the workshop.
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