|
|
|
|
|
Restoring your older leadlight.....When is it time ?
If you have answered YES to any of the above questions, it's time to have them looked at by an expert in the field. Most leadlighters do not charge to come out and quote on repairs.
WHO DO YOU PHONE ? A LEADLIGHTER IS THE MOST QUALIFIED EXPERT TO ASSESS A LEADLIGHT PROBLEM. A BUSINESS PRODUCING SIMULATED OR REPLICA LEADLIGHTS RARELY MANUFACTURES OR REPAIRS TRADITIONAL LEADLIGHT WORK. LOOK UNDER LEADLIGHTS OR STAINED GLASS IN YOUR PHONE DIRECTORY, OR SEARCH THE INTERNET. A LEADLIGHTER RARELY WORKS WITHIN A GLAZIERS BUSINESS.
Are they worth fixing?
Where your leadlights are part of the history of your home, and are in keeping with the " flavour " of your suburb......YES, by all means get the repairs and keep your home as original as it was intended. Just as you would go to great lengths to choose the right heritage paint colours, the right plaster adornments, and traditional fireplaces so, too must the leadlights be renewed for a further 100 years or more. In some cases, you can expect a "re-lead" whereby the leadlight is made new again, using existing glass and all new lead to make it as good as a new leadlight and ready for years more use. If a repair is necessary, it's usually estimated based on an hourly rate of labour with costs for replacement glass, removal and refit, etc.
Try not to be talked into replacing your historical leadlights with an inappropriate modern simulated product. When urged to do so, weigh up the pros and cons by arming yourself with the FULL FACTS.
Do I have a leadlight or a zinclight ? EDUCATION page.... this site.
A leadlight is
where the joining strips of metal-like substance, appear to be black or dark grey and , if scratched, there is shiny silver under the black outer coating and the lead appears soft. A leadlight can be made of any colour of glass.
A zinclight is
where the joining strips of metal-like substance appear to be silver or like an aged aluminium type metal. If scratched, it is hard, like aluminium. Zinclights are common in many ART-DECO style windows and doorpanels where the glass used is always clears of varying textures. Also used in many older china cabinets.
Why a professional should be employed for the task
A professional leadlighter can tell at a glance exactly where the problems lie, and can assess the best approach to take to restore your leadlight. An informed professional leadlighter will promptly advise the best course of action on the spot. Rarely will they have to go away and think about it. A leadlighter can see " the big picture ! " With greater experience and knowledge than those who occasionally "dabble" you can be assured of correct diagnosis of the problem and professionalism in the " cure ". Not all repairs are astronomical in the costs.
TRUE STORY
An amateur called upon to investigate a leadlight that had become weak, told the client it was because the sprinkler system had been allowed to spray small amounts of water on it. A bandaid repair was undertaken with advice to shift the offending reticulation. Many $'s later, shifting the retic and bandaid repairs to the leadlight, the leadlight came apart yet again and was treated to another bandaid fix. More money spent with the same amateur repairer. THIRD TIME AROUND.......THEY CALLED ME. It turns out, the leadlight was a cheap import leadlight, not made well in the first place, low quality lead used, no reinforcing at all, and an insufficient putty job on completion. All those reasons were why the leadlight was weak and HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RETICULATION SYSTEM ! Solution....rebuild the leadlight with new and stronger lead, incorporating proper reinforcing methods and the correct puttying process. COST....about one third of what they'd already spent with an amateur ! ..................WE LIVE AND LEARN.
How can I tell if my leadlights are real or fake ?
Simulated leadlights are applied to a base sheet of glass, therefore the overall texture of the product will primarily remain the same, regardless of colour changes. Some exceptions are where the simulated leadlights made with film may show minor changes in texture. Areas of colour in the resin-type product, will show gradients of colour change within the one flower, leaf or design element. Some replica leadlights may have "solder-joints" to imitate the real thing. There may be evidence of colour fading, where the simulated leadlight is exposed to full sun. When damaged, the replica leadlight may show evidence of layers and lead peeling away from the base glass, and possibly show the lead's adhesive backing. A break may have travelled across the whole panel, not stopping at the lead-lines.
In a real leadlight a number of textures and colours of glass are used throughout. Look for constant and varying changes in texture. When damaged, a real leadlight may have only a segment or two involved and mostly the breaks are contained within a few segments, generally not travelling through the whole window. There will be NO evidence of fading, full sun or not.
REPAIR QUOTES:
ARTISTRY STAINED GLASS PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ph 9378 9910 MOB 0434 861 841
ARTISTRY STAINED GLASS
