Heritage + Historical Restoration process

We take pride in working on Heritage projects within our field of work in Stained Glass & Leadlights.
We are accepted with all government, heritage and trust groups in each state of Australia.

Specialising in the restorations and preservation on the beautiful glass artwork throughout our country.

Whether it is a historical church, Australia’s old government buildings or heritage listed residential homes, we cherish every moment of working on such amazing stained glass leadlights.

Each stage of our restoration process is thoroughly documented with detailed descriptive reporting and photo/video reports. This is presented for reference and kept in historic records.

Our process for restoration and heritage work is as follows -

The stained glass leadlight will be safely removed from its location, carefully boxed up in a way that it can be transported to one of our studios where the restoration process will be undertaken.

Depending on the style/design of the stained glass leadlight there are certain traditional techniques used to trace and template the design outline of the lead lines that make up the panel.

These designs are kept on file for our future records and documentation which can be accesses at any time by request.

Once the design is outlined and templated the stained glass leadlight is soaked. This helps to clean the glass while also loosening the putty/cement that is inside the lead came.

The stained glass leadlight is carefully dismantled, with the individual original glass pieces placed in order ready for the next stage of cleaning while the lead is safely disposed of. Excess putty/cement on the glass is carefully removed and each individual piece of glass is assessed and cleaned.

Where there is traditionally painted glass, we use specific tools and cleaning techniques to remove the surface deposits that may be built up on the painted areas.

Broken glass pieces will be presented before moving forward. There will be a discussion with the client on the approach on a piece be piece basis for the type of preservation or replacement used.

The design template is traditionally hand drawn for the stained glass leadlight to be re built using traditional techniques with new lead came.

The option of adding reinforcing strips to the stained glass leadlight will be discussed and decided upon by client per panel. If used, these reinforcing strips are placed in areas through out the stained glass leadlight which are positioned between the lead came and glass to create added strength in the panel. This gives a greater lifespan and more durability to any element the leadlight may endure. These reinforcing strips are unseen as they are placed inside the lead came between it and the glass which keeps the integrity of the stained glass leadlight design while adding greater support through out the entire area of the panel.

The stained glass leadlight is traditionally sealed and strengthened with putty/cement. The stained glass leadlight is limed to clean then hand polished+buffed to finish.

The option of the traditional techniques used for the sealing and finishing of the stained glass leadlight will be presented and decided by the client.

Once set, the stained glass leadlight is now ready to be re installed to the space securely.

Removal of the stained glass leadlight from building -

Each panel is to be assesses and reported on individually.

We work closely with the chosen heritage builder + architect on how the stained glass leadlight panel will be safely removed.

We recommend for the safety of the stained glass leadlight panel to be ensured, that we on site to supervise at all times of work related to the removal/re installation.

For any questions or more information please don’t hesitate to contact us, we look forward to discussing this process further.

COMMISSIONS

We pride ourselves on our craftsmanship and quality of work with 40+ years’ experience and second generation having 17+ years’ experience.

We can work closely together with you to create the personal touches in the designs for your Stained glass Leadlight panels. We take time to understand the direction of design that you are wanting.
After meeting with you (or talking via phone or email if you prefer) to discus the initial design style, we present you with drawn sketches of your lead light panels.
These are then talked over and alterations can be made until you are 100% happy with the designs. From here a glass choice is made then once this is finalized the panels will be drawn up to scale and can start to be built.

The panels are drawn up to exact scale and each individual piece of glass is cut by hand. Once all the glass is cut then the panels are built using lead came. The lead goes between each piece of glass and is soldered on each joint. We use reinforcing strips that are put inside the lead came between it and the glass on certain sections to make the panels strong and sturdy. After the panels are soldered on both sides they can be puttied. The putty goes up under the lead came in between it and the glass and once set this strengthens the panel. The excess putty is pencilled out and removed then the panels are limed to clean and polished to finish.

repairs

If you have broken glass, damaged lead or solder in a lead light panel we will remove the broken glass then match and repair the damaged area for you.

restorations

When restoring stained glass lead light panels we remove all the lead and separate each individual piece of glass. Then re build the panel with new lead came to give it a new lifespan.
The restoration process involves –
We first place the panels so we can get an exact rubbing of the design.
The panels are soaked which frees up all the putty that is inside the leading that keeps the panels together.
We then pull apart all the lead and separate each individual piece of glass, ensuring to keep them in order. If there is excess putty left on any glass this is carefully removed so the glass can be re fitted into the lead.
Any broken pieces of glass we match up and replace.
Each design is drawn up to exact scale then each panel is completely re built with new lead and solder on every joint. We can use reinforcing strips in areas between the lead and glass to create more strength in the panels and help give them a longer lifespan. These reinforcing strips are unseen as they are placed inside the lead came between it and the glass.
Once the panels have been re built and soldered on both sides they are then puttied, limed and polished on both sides. After this then they are ready for installation/delivery.




Any and all questions are very welcome. Please call or email us to talk more about what we can do for you.

PH: 0435 569 670
E-mail: bellovetro@outlook.com