Stained glass is traditionally thought of as being found in churches, but it can provide a wonderful feature in any home.  Stained glass can be used in any application from traditional to contemporary and you are only limited by your imagination.  It can be used for feature windows, door entries, shower screens, mirrors, splash backs, furniture inserts and even in glass coffee tables.  You can even use stained glass for lampshades and mosaics (including in water features).

What is Stained Glass?

Stained glass is the hand painted and kiln-fired components of a leadlight.  In stained glass, the colours used actually fuse to the glass in a way so that the colour becomes a part of the glass itself.  A leadlight window can have elements of stained glass within it or it can be completely made from stained glass.  Leadlight replicas are made using resins or films that are applied to the glass and adhesive lead.  In this case, the colour is not a permanent part of the glass.

There are both leadlights and zinclights.  Leadlights are where the joining strips appear to be black or dark grey and, if scratched, there is silver underneath the dark coating.  The lead appears to be soft.  Leadlights can use any colour of glass.  Zinclights are where the joining strips appear to look silver or like aged aluminium.  If scratched, the metal feels hard.  These are common in art deco style door panels and windows, where the glass used is clear and varies in texture.

Leadlighting and Stained Glass Services

Stained glass or leadlighting professionals can provide the following services:

• restoration of leadlights
  
• conservation of stained glass windows, doors or other items
  
• custom-designed leadlights
  
• repair of broken or damaged stained glass
  
• clean and restore old, grimy stained glass panels
  
• insurance work
  
• visiting the home to advise on how to incorporate stained glass effectively