Stained glass is more than decoration—it’s a storyteller. In many churches, these windows carry the gospel itself through scenes of faith, history, and beauty. They are sacred works of art, often irreplaceable, and entrusted to your care as a facility steward.
But what happens when a window begins to bow, crack, or deteriorate? The question becomes urgent: How do you repair stained glass?
The answer isn’t as simple as calling a local glass company or handyman. Stained glass repair is a specialized craft—and when done wrong, it can cause more harm than good. Before your church makes a move, here’s what every facility steward needs to know to protect these treasures for generations to come.
Step 1: Know What Kind of Glass You Actually Have
First things first: Not all “stained glass” is truly stained glass. There are four main types commonly found in churches:
1. Traditional Leaded Stained Glass
- Made with small pieces of colored glass
- Held together by soft lead (called “leading”)
- Often tells a biblical story
- Flexible and built to move with temperature changes
2. Faceted Glass (Think Coke Bottle Glass)
- Thick, colored glass (up to 1.5 inches)
- Pieces held together with grout, not lead
- Common in mid-century churches
- Heavy, durable, but prone to grout cracking over time
3. Colored or Tinted Glass
- Not leaded, just colored panes
- Often used in modern windows
- Usually non-decorative and not intricate
4. Crinkle Glass / Faux Stained Glass
- Popular in the 1970s–80s
- Acrylic or plastic, not real glass
- Tends to yellow and become brittle
- Offers minimal long-term value
Pro tip: Before starting any repairs, verify what you’re working with. Knowing the type of glass determines who you should call—and how it should be maintained.
Step 2: Don’t DIY It — Call Real Experts
If your stained glass is bowing, cracking, or showing signs of damage, don’t hire the cheapest bidder or your cousin’s friend who “does glass.” Here’s who you should call:
1. The American Consultation on Stained Glass
They provide professional appraisal and assessment services. They won’t fix the windows, but they’ll tell you:
- What you’re working with
- What’s wrong
- What the repair scope might be
- What’s it worth
They’ve appraised some of the most significant stained glass in the U.S.—including cathedrals, basilicas, and historic chapels. If you want credible insight before spending money, start here.
2. The Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA)
They maintain a vetted registry of qualified stained glass artisans who specialize in large-scale church work. This is where you find someone who’s repaired hundred-year-old windows—not just residential panels or bathroom transoms.
Step 3: Learn the Warning Signs
Not all stained glass damage is obvious—until it is. Here’s what to look for during your routine facility inspections:
- Bowing windows (visible curve or bulge)
- Cracked or sagging lead (leading)
- Moisture buildup or water intrusion
- Frame rot (especially behind protective glass)
- Cracks in grout (for faceted glass)
- Cloudy, yellowing, or brittle protective layers
Even if the window looks okay from a distance, these small signs can indicate structural problems—and the longer you wait, the more expensive the repair.
Step 4: Implement Preventive Maintenance
Even if your stained glass is in good condition, preventive maintenance is key to avoiding emergency repairs. Here’s what to include in your maintenance checklist (ideally once or twice a year):
Cleaning
- Gently dust and wipe down the surface—inside and out
- Avoid harsh chemicals; use manufacturer-recommended solutions
- For tall or complex windows, hire a professional to avoid damage
Inspections
- Check for bowing, cracking, or discoloration
- Document with photos to track movement over time
- Look for signs of frame rot, especially around the sills and joints
- Ensure protective glazing is not sealed air-tight (it must vent)
Step 5: Understand the Role of Protective Glass
Protective glazing can save your stained glass—but only if it’s installed correctly. Many churches install plexiglass or Lexan as a protective layer. Here’s the problem:
- Plexiglass yellows and becomes brittle in sunlight
- Lexan can crack and cause more harm than protection
- If installed without ventilation, these layers trap moisture and heat, rotting frames and even cracking the stained glass itself
What to Look for Instead:
- Purpose-built, vented protective systems (top and bottom vents)
- Systems that allow for access and maintenance
- Modern double-track aluminum systems, where one track holds the stained glass and another holds protective glazing
Step 6: Don’t Skip the Frame
Often, the wood or steel frame is more at risk than the glass itself. Poorly vented protective layers can trap heat and condensation, leading to:
- Wood rot
- Paint peeling
- Corrosion of metal supports
- Mold and mildew buildup
Ensure your inspection routine includes frame condition and the area behind the protective glazing.
Bonus Tip: Learn from Other Churches
One of the best ways to approach stained glass repairs is to learn from the experience of other churches. Visit congregations—locally or even nationally—that have already gone through restoration projects. Ask them who they worked with, what the process looked like, and what challenges they faced along the way.
Many will gladly share lessons about what went well, what they would have done differently, and how they chose the right vendors. These real-world insights can help your church avoid costly missteps and make informed decisions before committing to a restoration plan.
“We’ve been to major churches who brought in the right experts, and others who trusted the wrong vendor. Learn from both.” — Patrick Hart, Facility Stewardship Specialist
Final Thoughts: Stewardship Over Shortcuts
Stained glass is sacred—not only for its beauty and symbolism, but also for the legacy it carries. If your church is blessed to have it, you have a responsibility to care for it properly. That doesn’t mean you need to learn how to make the repairs yourself, but it does mean approaching maintenance with wisdom and intentionality.
Start by understanding what kind of glass you actually have, since different materials require different care. Build routine inspections into your maintenance plan so you can catch issues early, before they become costly emergencies. When problems do arise, resist the temptation to cut corners—always call experts who are trained to work with stained glass at a church scale. And finally, make sure your windows are protected with the right kind of glazing that allows for ventilation, instead of relying on cheap or sealed solutions that can do more harm than good.
The bottom line is simple: stewardship matters more than shortcuts. By caring for your stained glass with the right knowledge and the right help, you preserve not just windows, but a story of faith that can inspire generations to come.
Need Help Tracking Preventive Maintenance?
With eSPACE, you can schedule stained glass inspections, set reminders, track photos, and manage all your facility tasks in one place because stewardship starts with knowing what you have—and taking care of it well.
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