Restoration

The Traditional Glassworks studio undertakes all aspects of restoration, including:
• Duplication of kiln-fired painted glass
• Re-leading
• Protective glazing
• Repairs to wood frames and adjoining millwork
• Re-pointing of perimeter stone and reglets
• Thorough before and after documentation.

We strive to return your old or damaged window to its original, “like new” condition.

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In 1993-94 we undertook an extensive conservation and restoration of the stained glass windows in the Nave at St Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston, Ontario. The restoration project was overseen by conservator Andre Scheinman. We returned in May of 2010 to restore 21 windows that were vandalized in the Nave and in the St James side Chapel.

The cathedral was designed by James Bowes and built in 1842. The façade towers and side Chapel were designed by Joseph Connelly and added in 1889. It is designated as a Heritage building.

The Nave windows, which date from 1875, are by Wales & Strong (Britain).

• The windows were removed cleaned, outfitted with new perimeter leads, and re-cemented
• The hinge areas were re-glazed with more rigid cames and strengthened with additional interior horizontal support bars and exterior vertical fins
• Damaged glass was edge-glued and back-plated, and either thinly copper-foiled or reproduced, depending on the extent of the damage.

The Chapel windows (1905) and tower windows (1940) are by Mayer Munich and Mayer New York, respectively. They were severely vandalized, and needed extensive restoration.

• Many pieces had to be replicated with traditional kiln fired vitreous enamel
• The original lead cames had become very brittle and full of fissures, so the windows were also re-leaded before being re-installed into the original stone reglets.

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We restored over 40 windows in the chapel. The scope of work included:

• Re-leading
• Replacement of damaged glass
• Repairs to rotted frames
• New millwork
• New tempered glass protective glazing
• Exterior perimeter re-pointing
• Complete documentation

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The quarry design was extrapolated from neighbouring original windows in order to recreate a window that had been removed decades ago.

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This window was designed and made by Gustav Weisman (1926-2000), one of my professors at the Ontario College of Art. I had the privilege of removing it from the decommissioned Queen St. United Church, restoring, re-framing, and re-installing it at Crossroads United. – Mark Thompson