How To Choose The Best Service Provider For Residence Enhancement



One of the most usual repairs that people do around their houses is on their windows. The most common reasons for home window repair are also broken glass and deteriorating putty, which is not only unattractive to the eyes but also produces openings that lets the air escape. Although anyone can always approach a professional to do repairs around the house, there are also certain repairs that can be done by house members and a broken window is one of these. If a family needs to replace the broken glass of a window, then they would just need a number of things to be able to do this.

Anyone can do their own home window repair. Among the things that they just need to get if their window has a broken glass pane are glazier's points, linseed, a glazing compound and of course, a new glass pane. These things can all be found in any hardware store in the neighborhood or just about anywhere. However, to be able to have more choices on window panes, then they should head on to a glass shop. Once, all the materials needed are at hand, anyone can already get started on fixing their broken window.

The first step that needs to be done in home window repair is removing the old broken pane as well as the putty. This is made easier of linseed oil is applied to putty and would be left to stand for some thirty minutes. Heating the putty would also make its removal easier. Once the putty is already malleable, the glazier's points are the next to be removed. However, to get this out, the glass need to be broken completely. As soon as the glass has been taken away and that frame has been cleaned of all remnants of the old putty, boiled linseed oil should also be wiped onto the old wood. This keeps the wood from getting the oil that can be found in the glazing compound.

Laying glazing compound on the window sash on which the new glass pane will be set, is the next step to home window repair. As soon as the glass is set, glazier's points should be placed using a putty knife or a glazing tool at every four inch to keep the glass in its place. The points should be inserted straight and firmly into the wood, against the glass. To seal the pane in, more glazing compound should be applied. It should be made sure that half of the glazing is set on the glass while the other half should be in the frame. After a few days, these wooden sash windows new window can already be painted. However, you should also paint the edge of the glass right before the frame to seal in the glazing.

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Many people assume that house renovation is difficult to do on their own. Annually, month, week, and also day people aim to make improvements to their homes, just to come a cropper. House renovation is not as challenging as people believe. This write-up includes numerous simple ways to enhance your house.

If you have actually decided to start working on boosting your house, yet you wish to do this alone, you must make certain to begin with an simple task. Lots of people jump directly into something like additionaling an additional room, and after that they rapidly find themselves bewildered and confused concerning what they are doing.

When doing home enhancements in the restroom, make certain you use the proper caulking for the job available. If you do not sash window london make use of water proof caulking as well as only make use of water immune caulking, you are movinged towards disaster. Water will permeate in as well as rot the product bring about an pricey repair.

If you have a house renovation job that you could not do alone and you have to work with a person to help, ensure the person you employ has proper insurance policy protection. You certainly do not wish to be responsible for any kind of injuries or clinical troubles which occur to a person working on your property, considering that the cost of medical as well as worker's compensation bills can be big.

If you wish to make your residence sparkle then aim to the aesthetic charm. Impression are essential with individuals, and they are just as essential to your home. Think about repainting if your shade is fading or is dated, as well as select shades and also other details that match the era of your house.

If you can not discover just the best shade of cement to finish that tiling project, custom color some yourself! Acrylic craft paint, readily available at most discount rate as well as leisure activity shops, is an simple and also thrifty means to get the perfect grout color. Trying out small amounts of dry cement, making use of the paint in place of a few of the water needed to mix it, spread into a paper plate to allow dry as well as you will swiftly discover the perfect shade of grout for your job.

If you are searching for a practical residence improvement job, try " developing." Wall surfaces develop a lot of squandered area. Add matching cabinets in your living-room or develop a window seat where your household could sit and also check out. Simple projects like these can make every room in your house usable and valuable to your household.

Try maintaining your home insulated. Shielding your walls is a relatively low cost house renovation that will certainly assist you conserve cash in the future, together with safeguarding the atmosphere. Keeping your house insulated not only maintains it warm in winter, however it additionally keeps it amazing in the summertime.

As specified prior to in the introduction, many individuals believe home renovation is difficult. People attempt all the time to improve their houses, but usually stop working. Despite these failings, home enhancement is not as tough as most people think. All you need to do is bear in mind the house renovation pointers in this write-up to make it simpler.

Several people believe that home improvement is difficult to do by themselves. Every year, month, week, and day people try to make renovations to their residences, only to fall short miserably. When doing residence enhancements in the bathroom, sash window company make sure you make use of the correct caulking for the work at hand. As stated prior to in the introduction, lots of individuals think residence renovation is difficult. Even with these failings, house enhancement is not as difficult as the majority of individuals assume.

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window Sash Window Repairs North London

So, when I heard that the developer Ian Schrager sash windows west london of trendy boutique hotel fame had chosen the English architect John Pawson, a maestro of minimalist style, to transform the 18-story building at 50 Gramercy Park North into a 23-residence condominium, I could not wait to see how the worlds of cutting-edge design and Old World charm could be joined.

I have also always loved the idea of living on Gramercy Park, an enclave reminiscent of the small-scaled and civilized squares I craved from my student days in London so many years ago. Not surprisingly, I am not alone, and Mr. Schrager knows that. His marketing copy ("A precious and rare opportunity with additional services and amenities created exclusively for a family") links bucolic scenes of the park with digital images of the proposed interiors in a deliciously illustrated brochure (a little girl in a flowered dress, small boys in berets, sun-dappled trees) that is as seductive as an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.

Having made an appointment for a visit on a cold, clear morning, I meet Mr. Schrager in front of the building, where construction is in full swing. We don hard hats and ride an exterior elevator up to what will be Apartment 5B, where one can look out the floor-to-ceiling window in the future living room at a mouth-watering view of the park. The clear expanse of glass and a bird's-eye view of the park are mesmerizing even with the naked trees and empty benches.

Mr. Schrager explains that we are standing in what was once part of the gap between the 181-room Gramercy Park Hotel (also Mr. Schrager's and being totally redesigned by the artist Julian Schnabel in what the developer called "a quirky bohemian style and Renaissance colors") and its original annex. The new glass "minitower," which Mr. Pawson calls "the new bit," is now connected to that annex, which has had its windows enlarged to unify it with the new building.

In a telephone interview from London, Mr. Pawson said that Mr. Schrager wanted 12-foot ceilings. "But as that was not possible to have on every floor, we figured out how to add a high-ceilinged extra space to apartments on every other floor," he said. "I see it as a kind of compression and release."

I'm impressed with the architect's clever way of adding glass boxes to the prewar building. It's a respectful solution that does not fight with the Old World feeling of the area, sort of like a facelift that works.

There are four apartments still available, and all have views of the park: 5A (2,149 square feet for $6.250 million); 9B (2,873 square feet for $9.35 million); 7A (3,477 square feet for $8.975 million), and 14A (2,988 square feet for $10.250 million) as well as a 4,235-square-foot penthouse with a 1,306-square-foot terrace that is $16 million. (Monthly maintenance ranges from $5,472 to an astonishing $17,721.)

The sheer size of most of the apartments is what seems to particularly excite Mr. Schrager. One master bedroom measures 945 square feet.

"Most developers don't like to build big apartments," Mr. Schrager said. "They are often harder to sell than smaller, more flexible units where the market is deeper."

Mr. Schrager said the apartments come with the type of services that only the very privileged enjoy. Here, it is called executive lifestyle management and includes room service, babysitting, painting and repair services, and like the hotel around the corner, turn-down service.

Mr. Schrager suggests we visit the full-size mock-ups of a kitchen and bathroom. On the way, I try to reconcile the concept of these large family apartments with Mr. Pawson's particular brand of minimalism -- the nearly spiritual kind where a box of Kleenex on the bathroom counter, a dirty frying pan in the sink, a plastic toy truck on the rug, or a pile of old magazines can be major intrusions. Never mind that the English architect (known in New York for the serenely neat Calvin Klein store) is a father himself (his sons Caius and Benedict are 20 and 16, his stepdaughter, Phoebe, is 27) and that he has had plenty of experience raising children in his oft-photographed and sublimely uncluttered home.

"Kids feel free in these kinds of spaces," Mr. Pawson said. "Having a clear run seems nicer for them. We were the most popular parents on the block."

As our children are of similar ages, and as a fan of Mr. Pawson's plain open spaces, I've always toyed with the idea that my family could not only live in such uncluttered splendor but that 50 Gramercy Park North might very well be the fulfillment of this design junkie's dream. I also buy into the current design ethos: the pale-hued bathroom as a sanctuary, the sleek kitchen, wide open to the living space, as a family gathering spot.

Running my finger across translucent glass tile and smooth travertine, or beautifully finished cherrywood materials that are as soothing and tactile as they are sophisticated, I believe that if I lived there I would be able to breathe more deeply and have loftier thoughts, unimpeded by piles of paper or a jumble of mismatched pillows. I am drawn not only to the quality of the materials he chose but to the feeling of lightness and calm that his spaces exude.

Even in the model apartment, the clean lines of the fireplace and the openness of the kitchen are calming. Somehow, Mr. Pawson's minimalism does not feel limiting, but strangely liberating and soothing. Maybe it's the soft palette, the view over the park, the generously sized rooms that make the spaces feel clean and yes, comfortable -- even for a pack rat.

I'm simply not worried here about where to put all our stuff. I say a silent prayer: Yes, if I could afford to live here, I promise I would get rid of everything -- and I mean everything -- that would disrupt the serenity of this environment.

Mr. Pawson's words come to mind. "I never said people should live without stuff, although I personally don't like to have more than I need around," he said.

I'm enraptured, even though I can't help feeling that I could never live up to this aesthetic. And I'm just not sure I want my home to be better than I am.

If you have some experience in stained glass handi-crafts repairing your old or damaged stained glass window is a project you may consider doing yourself. This article assumes you have at least some experience in this craft. If your window is very valuable, if you do not have any experience in stained glass window making or if you lack confidence in your abilities this is a task you may want to leave to the professionals. Otherwise, the process is very much like creating a new stained glass window and even a little easier in the sense that you do the sash window company not have to do much, if any, north london glass glass cutting.

Problem #1: The leaded stained glass window cames are around seventy years old (or older) and have become brittle causing bulging or breaking.

This usually begins to happen in a stained glass window over seventy years old. Lead does not rot or rust, but it does lose its elasticity and become brittle over time. If left unattended it may cause the stained glass pieces to fall out or break as well.

The Solution:

Re-leading the window. This is time consuming, but very worthwhile to restore your stained glass window to its original beauty and integrity. The following steps must be taken:

1. Take a photograph of the window and measure lead cames to help with reconstructing it later.

2. Take the panel out of the window frame and remove panel framing.

3. Next, you will need to take the entire panel apart using the soldering iron to loosen solder and gently pry the old cames from the glass pieces.

4. Dispose of old lead in an environmentally friendly way, you should probably take it to a metal recycling facility.

5. Next each piece of glass should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Lay the pieces in place so as not to become confused later.

6. Reassemble panel using with new lead cames in the same width as the original.

7. Broken stained glass pieces should be traced and matched as closely as possible to a new piece of glass cut with the pattern you create. Another option if you have all the broken pieces and either cannot match the stained glass closely enough or do not want to put new pieces in, is to use thin lead cames to hold the broken pieces together. This option will likely make it obvious that the window has been repaired, so use with care.

8. New cement should be applied to both sides

9. New reinforcement bars should now be attached.

10. The stained glass panel is now ready to be re-framed and re-hung.

This process should be done when the window is nearing seventy years old. Following the steps above should result in a complete restoration of your stained glass window and it should be as structurally sound as a brand new one.

Problem #2: One stained glass panel in a window less than 70-years-old is broken.

The Solution:

This will depend on the location of the broken piece. If it is near the outer edge, you may be able to get away with carefully breaking the damaged piece out of the frame and using the soldering iron to loosen the lead cames and then re-soldering the new piece in place as in #7 above. If the broken piece is in a difficult location or if there are several broken pieces, you may want to re-lead the entire window following the above instructions. If there is a small crack, you might consider using a glass repair kit from the automotive shop. These are used to fix small chips and cracks in windshields and if the damage is slight, may be a suitable way to repair the crack and prevent further damage.

There are a number of other small repairs that you can do yourself such as re-painting areas that have flaked off, but these will need to be removed and re-kilned and you may want to consult with a professional for help with that. Restoring your stained glass window may be a painstaking process, but it is worth it to preserve its original beauty and make it last for future generations.

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window Sash Window Repairs North London

So, when I heard that the developer Ian Schrager of trendy boutique hotel fame had chosen the English architect John Pawson, a maestro of minimalist style, to transform the 18-story building at 50 Gramercy Park North into a 23-residence condominium, I could not wait to see how the worlds of cutting-edge design and Old World charm could be joined.

I have also always loved the idea of living on Gramercy Park, an enclave reminiscent of the small-scaled and civilized squares I craved from my student days in London so many years ago. Not surprisingly, I am not alone, and Mr. Schrager knows that. His marketing copy ("A precious and rare opportunity with additional services and amenities created exclusively for a family") links bucolic scenes of the park with digital images of the proposed interiors in a deliciously illustrated brochure (a little girl in a flowered dress, small boys in berets, sun-dappled trees) that is as seductive as an ice cream window glass cone on a hot summer day.

Having made an appointment for a visit on a cold, clear morning, I meet Mr. Schrager in front of the building, where construction is in full swing. We don hard hats and ride an exterior elevator up to what will be Apartment 5B, where one can window specialist look out the floor-to-ceiling window in the future living room at a mouth-watering view of the park. The clear expanse of glass and a bird's-eye view of the park are mesmerizing even with the naked trees and empty benches.

Mr. Schrager explains that we are standing in what was once part of the gap between the 181-room Gramercy Park Hotel (also Mr. Schrager's and being totally redesigned by the artist Julian Schnabel in what the developer called "a quirky bohemian style and Renaissance colors") and its original annex. The new glass "minitower," which Mr. Pawson calls "the new bit," is now connected to that annex, which has had its windows enlarged to unify it with the new building.

In a telephone interview from London, Mr. Pawson said that Mr. Schrager wanted 12-foot ceilings. "But as that was not possible to have on every floor, we figured out how to add a high-ceilinged extra space to apartments on every other floor," he said. "I see it as a kind of compression and release."

I'm impressed with the architect's clever way of adding glass boxes to the prewar building. It's a respectful solution that does not fight with the Old World feeling of the area, sort of like a facelift that works.

There are four apartments still available, and all have views of the park: 5A (2,149 square feet for $6.250 million); 9B (2,873 square feet for $9.35 million); 7A (3,477 square feet for $8.975 million), and 14A (2,988 square feet for $10.250 million) as well as a 4,235-square-foot penthouse with a 1,306-square-foot terrace that is $16 million. (Monthly maintenance ranges from $5,472 to an astonishing $17,721.)

The sheer size of most of the apartments is what seems to particularly excite Mr. Schrager. One master bedroom measures 945 square feet.

"Most developers don't like to build big apartments," Mr. Schrager said. "They are often harder to sell than smaller, more flexible units where the market is deeper."

Mr. Schrager said the apartments come with the type of services that only the very privileged enjoy. Here, it is called executive lifestyle management and includes room service, babysitting, painting and repair services, and like the hotel around the corner, turn-down service.

Mr. Schrager suggests we visit the full-size mock-ups of a kitchen and bathroom. On the way, I try to reconcile the concept of these large family apartments with Mr. Pawson's particular brand of minimalism -- the nearly spiritual kind where a box of Kleenex on the bathroom counter, a dirty frying pan in the sink, a plastic toy truck on the rug, or a pile of old magazines can be major intrusions. Never mind that the English architect (known in New York for the serenely neat Calvin Klein store) is a father himself (his sons Caius and Benedict are 20 and 16, his stepdaughter, Phoebe, is 27) and that he has had plenty of experience raising children in his oft-photographed and sublimely uncluttered home.

"Kids feel free in these kinds of spaces," Mr. Pawson said. "Having a clear run seems nicer for them. We were the most popular parents on the block."

As our children are of similar ages, and as a fan of Mr. Pawson's plain open spaces, I've always toyed with the idea that my family could not only live in such uncluttered splendor but that 50 Gramercy Park North might very well be the fulfillment of this design junkie's dream. I also buy into the current design ethos: the pale-hued bathroom as a sanctuary, the sleek kitchen, wide open to the living space, as a family gathering spot.

Running my finger across translucent glass tile and smooth travertine, or beautifully finished cherrywood materials that are as soothing and tactile as they are sophisticated, I believe that if I lived there I would be able to breathe more deeply and have loftier thoughts, unimpeded by piles of paper or a jumble of mismatched pillows. I am drawn not only to the quality of the materials he chose but to the feeling of lightness and calm that his spaces exude.

Even in the model apartment, the clean lines of the fireplace and the openness of the kitchen are calming. Somehow, Mr. Pawson's minimalism does not feel limiting, but strangely liberating and soothing. Maybe it's the soft palette, the view over the park, the generously sized rooms that make the spaces feel clean and yes, comfortable -- even for a pack rat.

I'm simply not worried here about where to put all our stuff. I say a silent prayer: Yes, if I could afford to live here, I promise I would get rid of everything -- and I mean everything -- that would disrupt the serenity of this environment.

Mr. Pawson's words come to mind. "I never said people should live without stuff, although I personally don't like to have more than I need around," he said.

I'm enraptured, even though I can't help feeling that I could never live up to this aesthetic. And I'm just not sure I want my home to be better than I am.

If you have some experience in stained glass handi-crafts repairing your old or damaged stained glass window is a project you may consider doing yourself. This article assumes you have at least some experience in this craft. If your window is very valuable, if you do not have any experience in stained glass window making or if you lack traditional window confidence in your abilities this is a task you may want to leave to the professionals. Otherwise, the process is very much like creating a new stained glass window and even a little easier in the sense that you do not have to do much, if any, glass cutting.

Problem #1: The leaded stained glass window cames are around seventy years old (or older) and have become brittle causing bulging or breaking.

This usually begins to happen in a stained glass window over seventy years old. Lead does not rot or rust, but it does lose its elasticity and become brittle over time. If left unattended it may cause the stained glass pieces to fall out or break as well.

The Solution:

Re-leading the window. This is time consuming, but very worthwhile to restore your stained glass window to its original beauty and integrity. The following steps must be taken:

1. Take a photograph of the window and measure lead cames to help with reconstructing it later.

2. Take the panel out of the window frame and remove panel framing.

3. Next, you will need to take the entire panel apart using the soldering iron to loosen solder and gently pry the old cames from the glass pieces.

4. Dispose of old lead in an environmentally friendly way, you should probably take it to a metal recycling facility.

5. Next each piece of glass should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Lay the pieces in place so as not to become confused later.

6. Reassemble panel using with new lead cames in the same width as the original.

7. Broken stained glass pieces should be traced and matched as closely as possible to a new piece of glass cut with the pattern you create. Another option if you have all the broken pieces and either cannot match the stained glass closely enough or do not want to put new pieces in, is to use thin lead cames to hold the broken pieces together. This option will likely make it obvious that the window has been repaired, so use with care.

8. New cement should be applied to both sides

9. New reinforcement bars should now be attached.

10. The stained glass panel is now ready to be re-framed and re-hung.

This process should be done when the window is nearing seventy years old. Following the steps above should result in a complete restoration of your stained glass window and it should be as structurally sound as a brand new one.

Problem #2: One stained glass panel in a window less than 70-years-old is broken.

The Solution:

This will depend on the location of the broken piece. If it is near the outer edge, you may be able to get away with carefully breaking the damaged piece out of the frame and using the soldering iron to loosen the lead cames and then re-soldering the new piece in place as in #7 above. If the broken piece is in a difficult location or if there are several broken pieces, you may want to re-lead the entire window following the above instructions. If there is a small crack, you might consider using a glass repair kit from the automotive shop. These are used to fix small chips and cracks in windshields and if the damage is slight, may be a suitable way to repair the crack and prevent further damage.

There are a number of other small repairs that you can do yourself such as re-painting areas that have flaked off, but these will need to be removed and re-kilned and you may want to consult with a professional for help with that. Restoring your stained glass window may be a painstaking process, but it is worth it to preserve its original beauty and make it last for future generations.

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window Sash Window Repairs North London

So, when I heard that the developer Ian Schrager of trendy boutique hotel fame had chosen the English architect John Pawson, a maestro of minimalist style, to transform the 18-story building at 50 Gramercy Park North into a 23-residence condominium, I could not wait to see how the worlds of cutting-edge design and Old World charm could be joined.

I have also always loved the idea of living on Gramercy Park, an enclave reminiscent of the small-scaled and civilized squares I craved from my student days in London so many years ago. Not surprisingly, I am not alone, and Mr. Schrager knows that. His marketing copy ("A precious and rare opportunity with additional services and amenities created exclusively for a family") links bucolic scenes of the park with digital images of the proposed interiors in a deliciously illustrated brochure (a little girl in a flowered dress, small boys in berets, sun-dappled trees) that is as seductive as an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.

Having made an appointment for a visit on a cold, clear morning, I meet Mr. Schrager in front of the building, where construction is in full swing. We don hard hats and ride an exterior elevator up to what will be Apartment 5B, where one can look out the floor-to-ceiling window in the future living room at a mouth-watering view of the park. The clear expanse of glass and a bird's-eye view of the park are mesmerizing even with the naked trees and empty benches.

Mr. Schrager explains that we are standing in what was once part of the gap between the 181-room Gramercy Park Hotel (also Mr. Schrager's and being totally redesigned by the artist Julian Schnabel in what the developer called "a quirky bohemian style and Renaissance colors") and its original annex. The new glass "minitower," which Mr. Pawson calls "the new bit," is now connected to that annex, which has had its windows enlarged to unify it with the new building.

In a telephone interview from London, Mr. Pawson said that Mr. Schrager wanted 12-foot ceilings. "But as that was not possible to have on every floor, we figured out how to add a high-ceilinged extra space to apartments on every other floor," he said. "I see it as a kind of compression and release."

I'm impressed with the architect's clever way of adding glass boxes to the prewar building. It's a respectful solution that does not fight with the Old World feeling of the area, sort of like a facelift that works.

There are four apartments still available, and all have views of the park: 5A (2,149 square feet for $6.250 million); 9B (2,873 square feet for $9.35 million); 7A (3,477 square feet for $8.975 million), and 14A (2,988 square feet for $10.250 million) as well as a 4,235-square-foot penthouse with a 1,306-square-foot terrace that is $16 million. (Monthly maintenance ranges from $5,472 to an astonishing $17,721.)

The sheer size of most of the apartments is what seems to particularly excite Mr. Schrager. One master bedroom measures 945 square feet.

"Most developers don't like to build big apartments," Mr. Schrager said. "They are often harder to sell than smaller, more flexible units where the market is deeper."

Mr. Schrager said the apartments come with the type of services that only the very privileged enjoy. Here, it is called executive lifestyle management and includes room service, babysitting, painting and repair services, and like the hotel around the corner, turn-down service.

Mr. Schrager suggests we visit the full-size mock-ups of a kitchen and bathroom. On the way, I try to reconcile the concept of these large family apartments with Mr. Pawson's particular brand of minimalism -- the nearly spiritual kind where a box of Kleenex on the bathroom counter, a dirty frying pan in the sink, a plastic toy truck on the rug, or a pile of old magazines can be major intrusions. Never mind that the English architect (known in New York for the serenely neat Calvin Klein store) is a father himself (his sons Caius and Benedict are 20 and 16, his stepdaughter, Phoebe, is 27) and sash window company that he has had plenty of experience raising children in his oft-photographed and sublimely uncluttered home.

"Kids feel free in these kinds of spaces," Mr. Pawson said. "Having a clear run seems nicer for them. We were the most popular parents on the block."

As our children are of similar ages, and as a fan of Mr. Pawson's plain open spaces, I've always toyed with the idea that my family could not only live in such uncluttered splendor but that 50 Gramercy Park North might very well be the fulfillment of this design junkie's dream. I also buy into the current design ethos: the pale-hued bathroom as a sanctuary, the sleek kitchen, wide open to the living space, as a family gathering spot.

Running my finger across translucent glass tile and smooth travertine, or beautifully finished cherrywood materials that are as soothing and tactile as they are sophisticated, I believe that if I lived there I would be able to breathe more deeply and have loftier thoughts, unimpeded by piles of paper or a jumble of mismatched pillows. I am drawn not only to the quality of the materials he chose but to the feeling of lightness and calm that his spaces exude.

Even in the model apartment, the clean lines of the fireplace and the openness of the kitchen are calming. Somehow, Mr. Pawson's minimalism does not feel limiting, but strangely liberating and soothing. Maybe it's the soft palette, the view over the park, the generously sized rooms that make the spaces feel clean and yes, comfortable -- even for a pack rat.

I'm simply not worried here about where to put all our stuff. I say a silent prayer: Yes, if I could afford to live here, I promise I would get rid of everything -- and I mean everything -- that would disrupt the serenity of this environment.

Mr. Pawson's words come to mind. "I never said people should live without stuff, although I personally don't like to have more than I need around," he said.

I'm enraptured, even though I can't help feeling that I could never live up to this aesthetic. And I'm just not sure I want my home to be better than I am.

If you have some experience in stained glass handi-crafts repairing your old or damaged stained glass window is a project you may consider doing yourself. This article assumes you have at least some experience in this craft. If your window is very valuable, if you do not have any experience in stained glass window making or if you lack confidence in your abilities this is a task you may want to leave to the professionals. Otherwise, the process is very much like creating a new stained glass window and even a little easier in the sense that you do not have to do much, if any, glass cutting.

Problem #1: The leaded stained glass window cames are around seventy years old (or older) and have become brittle causing bulging or breaking.

This usually begins to happen in a stained glass window over seventy years old. Lead does not rot or rust, but it does lose its elasticity and become brittle over time. If left unattended it may cause the stained glass pieces to fall out or break as well.

The Solution:

Re-leading the window. This is time consuming, but very worthwhile to restore your stained glass window to its original beauty and integrity. The following steps must be taken:

1. Take a photograph of the window and measure lead cames to help with reconstructing it later.

2. Take the panel out of the window frame and remove panel framing.

3. Next, you will need to take the entire panel apart using the soldering iron to loosen solder and gently pry the old cames from the glass pieces.

4. Dispose of old lead in an environmentally friendly way, you should probably take it to a metal recycling facility.

5. Next each piece of glass should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Lay the pieces in place so as not to become confused later.

6. Reassemble panel using with new lead cames in the same width as the original.

7. Broken stained glass pieces should be traced and matched as closely as possible to a new piece of glass cut with the sash window repairs west london pattern you create. Another option if you have all the broken pieces and either cannot match the stained glass closely enough or do not want to put new pieces in, is to use thin lead cames to hold the broken pieces together. This option will likely make it obvious that the window has been repaired, so use with care.

8. New cement should be applied to both sides

9. New reinforcement bars should now be attached.

10. The stained glass panel is now ready to be re-framed and re-hung.

This process should be done when the window is nearing seventy years old. Following the steps above should result in a complete restoration of your stained glass window and it should be as structurally sound as a brand new one.

Problem #2: One stained glass panel in a window less than 70-years-old is broken.

The Solution:

This will depend on the location of the broken piece. If it is near the outer edge, you may be able to get away with carefully breaking the damaged piece out of the frame and using the soldering iron to loosen the lead cames and then re-soldering the new piece in place as in #7 above. If the broken piece is in a difficult location or if there are several broken pieces, you may want to re-lead the entire window following the above instructions. If there is a small crack, you might consider using a glass repair kit from the automotive shop. These are used to fix small sash cord windows chips and cracks in windshields and if the damage is slight, may be a suitable way to repair the crack and prevent further damage.

There are a number of other small repairs that you can do yourself such as re-painting areas that have flaked off, but these will need to be removed and re-kilned and you may want to consult with a professional for help with that. Restoring your stained glass window may be a painstaking process, but it is worth it to preserve its original beauty and make it last for future generations.

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window Sash Window Repairs North London

So, when I heard that the developer Ian Schrager of trendy boutique hotel fame had chosen the English architect John Pawson, a maestro of minimalist style, to transform the 18-story building at 50 Gramercy Park North into a 23-residence condominium, I could not wait to see how the worlds of cutting-edge design and Old World charm could be joined.

I have also always loved the idea of living on Gramercy Park, an enclave reminiscent of the small-scaled and civilized squares I craved from my student days in London so many years ago. Not surprisingly, I am not alone, and Mr. Schrager knows that. His marketing copy ("A precious and rare opportunity with additional services and amenities created exclusively for a family") victorian windows links bucolic scenes of the park with digital images of the proposed interiors in a deliciously illustrated brochure (a little girl in a flowered dress, small boys in berets, sun-dappled trees) that is as seductive as an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.

Having made an appointment for a visit on a cold, clear morning, I meet Mr. Schrager in front of the building, where construction is in full swing. We don hard hats and ride an exterior elevator up to what will be Apartment 5B, where one can look out the floor-to-ceiling window in the future living room at a mouth-watering view of the park. The clear expanse of glass and a bird's-eye view of the park are mesmerizing even with the naked trees and empty benches.

Mr. Schrager explains that we are standing in what was once part of the gap between the 181-room Gramercy Park Hotel (also Mr. Schrager's and being totally redesigned by the artist Julian Schnabel in what the developer called "a quirky bohemian style and Renaissance colors") and its original annex. The new glass "minitower," which Mr. Pawson calls "the new bit," is now connected to that annex, which has had its windows enlarged to unify it with the new building.

In a telephone interview from London, Mr. Pawson said that Mr. Schrager wanted 12-foot ceilings. "But as that was not possible to have on every floor, we figured out how to add a high-ceilinged extra space to apartments on every other floor," he said. "I see it as a kind of compression and release."

I'm impressed with the architect's clever way of adding glass boxes to the prewar building. It's a respectful solution that does not fight with the Old World feeling of the area, sort of like a facelift that works.

There are four apartments still available, and all have views of the park: 5A (2,149 square feet for $6.250 million); 9B (2,873 square feet for $9.35 million); 7A (3,477 square feet for $8.975 million), and 14A (2,988 square feet for $10.250 million) as well as a 4,235-square-foot penthouse with a 1,306-square-foot terrace that is $16 million. (Monthly maintenance ranges from $5,472 to an astonishing $17,721.)

The sheer size of most of the apartments is what seems to particularly excite Mr. Schrager. One master bedroom measures 945 square feet.

"Most developers don't like to build big apartments," Mr. Schrager said. "They are often harder to sell than smaller, more flexible units where the market is deeper."

Mr. Schrager said the apartments come with the type of services that only the very privileged enjoy. Here, it is called executive lifestyle management and includes room service, babysitting, painting and repair services, and like the hotel around the corner, turn-down service.

Mr. Schrager suggests we visit the full-size mock-ups of a kitchen and bathroom. On the way, I try to reconcile the concept of these large family apartments with Mr. Pawson's particular brand of minimalism -- the nearly spiritual kind where a box of Kleenex on the bathroom counter, a dirty frying pan in the sink, a plastic toy truck on the rug, or a pile of old magazines can be major intrusions. Never mind that the English architect (known in New York for the serenely neat Calvin Klein store) is a father himself (his sons Caius and Benedict are 20 and 16, his stepdaughter, Phoebe, is 27) and that he has had plenty of experience raising children in his oft-photographed and sublimely uncluttered home.

"Kids feel free in these kinds of spaces," Mr. Pawson said. "Having a clear run seems nicer for them. We were the most popular parents on the block."

As our children are of similar ages, and as a fan of Mr. Pawson's plain open spaces, I've always toyed with the idea that my family could not only live in such uncluttered splendor but that 50 Gramercy Park North might very well be the fulfillment of this design junkie's dream. I also buy into the current design ethos: the pale-hued bathroom as a sanctuary, the sleek kitchen, wide open to the living space, as a family gathering spot.

Running my finger across translucent glass tile and smooth travertine, or beautifully finished cherrywood materials that are as soothing and tactile as they are sophisticated, I believe that if I lived there I would be able to breathe more deeply and have loftier thoughts, unimpeded by piles of paper or a jumble of mismatched pillows. I am drawn not only to the quality of the materials he chose but to the feeling of lightness and calm that his spaces exude.

Even in the model apartment, the clean lines of the fireplace and the openness of the kitchen are calming. Somehow, Mr. Pawson's minimalism does not feel limiting, but strangely liberating and soothing. Maybe it's the soft palette, the view over the park, the generously sized rooms that make the spaces feel clean and yes, comfortable -- even for a pack rat.

I'm simply not worried here about where to put all our stuff. I say a silent prayer: Yes, if I could afford to live here, I promise I would get rid of everything -- and I mean everything -- that would disrupt the serenity of this environment.

Mr. Pawson's words come to mind. "I never said people should live without stuff, although I personally don't pvc window repairs like to have more than I need around," he said.

I'm enraptured, even though I can't help feeling that I could never live up to this aesthetic. And I'm just not sure I want my home to be better than I am.

If you have some experience in stained glass handi-crafts repairing your old or damaged stained glass window is a project you may consider doing yourself. This article assumes you have at least some experience in this craft. If your window is very valuable, if you do not have any experience in stained glass window making or if you lack confidence in your abilities this is a task you may want to leave to the professionals. Otherwise, the process is very much like creating a new stained glass window and even a little easier in the sense that you do not have to do much, if any, glass cutting.

Problem #1: The leaded stained glass window cames are around seventy years old (or older) and have become brittle causing bulging or breaking.

This usually begins to happen in a stained glass window over seventy years old. Lead does not rot or rust, but it does lose its elasticity and become brittle over time. If left unattended it may cause the stained glass pieces to fall out or break as well.

The Solution:

Re-leading the window. This is time consuming, but very worthwhile to restore your stained glass window to its original beauty and integrity. The following steps must be taken:

1. Take a photograph of the window and measure lead cames to help with reconstructing it later.

2. Take the panel out of the window frame and remove panel framing.

3. Next, you will need to take the entire panel apart using the soldering iron to loosen solder and gently pry the old cames from the glass pieces.

4. Dispose of old lead in an environmentally friendly way, you should probably take it to a metal recycling facility.

5. Next each piece of glass should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Lay the pieces in place so as not to become confused later.

6. Reassemble panel using with new lead cames in the same width as the original.

7. Broken stained glass pieces should be traced and matched as closely as possible to a new piece of glass cut with the pattern you create. Another option if you have all the broken pieces and either cannot match the stained glass closely enough or do not want to put new pieces in, is to use thin lead cames to hold the broken pieces together. This option will likely make it obvious that the window has been repaired, so use with care.

8. New timber window restoration cement should be applied to both sides

9. New reinforcement bars should now be attached.

10. The stained glass panel is now ready to be re-framed and re-hung.

This process should be done when the window is nearing seventy years old. Following the steps above should result in a complete restoration of your stained glass window and it should be as structurally sound as a brand new one.

Problem #2: One stained glass panel in a window less than 70-years-old is broken.

The Solution:

This will depend on the location of the broken piece. If it is near the outer edge, you may be able to get away with carefully breaking the damaged piece out of the frame and using the soldering iron to loosen the lead cames and then re-soldering the new piece in place as in #7 above. If the broken piece is in a difficult location or if there are several broken pieces, you may want to re-lead the entire window following the above instructions. If there is a small crack, you might consider using a glass repair kit from the automotive shop. These are used to fix small chips and cracks in windshields and if the damage is slight, may be a suitable way to repair the crack and prevent further damage.

There are a number of other small repairs that you can do yourself such as re-painting areas that have flaked off, but these will need to be removed and re-kilned and you may want to consult with a professional for help with that. Restoring your stained glass window may be a painstaking process, but it is worth it to preserve its original beauty and make it last for future generations.

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window Sash Window Repairs North London

So, when I heard that the developer Ian Schrager of trendy boutique hotel fame had chosen the English architect John Pawson, a maestro of minimalist style, to transform the 18-story building at 50 Gramercy Park North into a 23-residence condominium, I could not wait to see how the worlds of cutting-edge design and Old World charm could be joined.

I have also always loved the idea of living on Gramercy Park, an enclave reminiscent of the small-scaled and civilized squares I craved from my student days in London so many years ago. Not surprisingly, I am not alone, and Mr. Schrager knows that. His marketing copy ("A precious and rare opportunity with additional services and amenities created exclusively for a family") links bucolic scenes of the park with digital images of the proposed interiors in a deliciously illustrated brochure (a little girl in a flowered dress, small boys in berets, sun-dappled trees) that is as seductive as an ice cream cone on a hot the window repair company summer day.

Having made an appointment for a visit on a cold, clear morning, I meet Mr. Schrager in front of the building, where construction is in full swing. We don hard hats and ride an exterior elevator up to what will be Apartment 5B, where one can look out the floor-to-ceiling window in the future living room at a mouth-watering view of the park. The clear expanse of glass and a bird's-eye view of the park are mesmerizing even with the naked trees and empty benches.

Mr. Schrager explains that we are standing in what was once part of the gap between the 181-room Gramercy Park Hotel (also Mr. Schrager's and being totally redesigned by the artist Julian Schnabel in what the developer called "a quirky bohemian style and Renaissance colors") and its original annex. The new glass "minitower," which Mr. Pawson calls "the new bit," is now connected to that annex, which has had its windows enlarged to unify it with the new building.

In a telephone interview from London, Mr. Pawson said that Mr. Schrager wanted 12-foot ceilings. "But as that was not possible to have on every floor, we figured out how to add a high-ceilinged extra space to apartments on every other floor," he said. "I see it as a kind of compression and release."

I'm impressed with the architect's clever way of adding glass boxes to the prewar building. It's a respectful solution that does not fight with the Old World feeling of the area, sort of like a facelift that works.

There are four apartments still available, and all have views of the park: 5A (2,149 square feet for $6.250 million); 9B (2,873 square feet for $9.35 million); 7A (3,477 square feet for $8.975 million), and 14A (2,988 square feet for $10.250 million) as well as a 4,235-square-foot penthouse with a 1,306-square-foot terrace that is $16 million. (Monthly maintenance ranges from $5,472 to an astonishing $17,721.)

The sheer size of most of the apartments is what seems to particularly excite Mr. Schrager. One master bedroom measures 945 square feet.

"Most developers don't like to build big apartments," Mr. Schrager said. "They are often harder to sell than smaller, more flexible units where the market is deeper."

Mr. Schrager said the apartments come with the type of services that only the very privileged enjoy. Here, it is called executive lifestyle management and includes room service, babysitting, painting and repair services, and like the hotel around the corner, turn-down service.

Mr. Schrager suggests we visit the full-size mock-ups of a kitchen and bathroom. On the way, I try to reconcile the concept of these large family apartments with Mr. Pawson's particular brand of minimalism -- the nearly spiritual kind where a box of Kleenex on the bathroom counter, a dirty frying pan in the sink, a plastic toy truck on the rug, or a pile of old magazines can be major intrusions. Never mind that the English architect (known in New York for the serenely neat Calvin Klein store) is a father himself (his sons Caius and Benedict are 20 and 16, his stepdaughter, Phoebe, is 27) and that he has had plenty of experience raising children in his oft-photographed and sublimely uncluttered home.

"Kids feel free in these kinds of spaces," Mr. Pawson said. "Having a clear run seems nicer for them. We were the most popular parents on the block."

As our children are of similar ages, and as a fan of Mr. Pawson's plain open spaces, I've always toyed with the idea that my family could not only live in such uncluttered splendor but that 50 Gramercy Park North might very well be the fulfillment of this design junkie's dream. I also buy into the current design ethos: the pale-hued bathroom as a sanctuary, the sleek kitchen, wide open to the living space, as a family gathering spot.

Running my finger across translucent glass tile and smooth travertine, or beautifully finished cherrywood materials that are as soothing and tactile as they are sophisticated, I believe that if I lived there I would be able to breathe more deeply and have loftier thoughts, unimpeded by piles of paper or a jumble of mismatched pillows. I am drawn not only to the quality of the materials he chose but to the feeling of lightness and calm that his spaces exude.

Even in the model apartment, the clean lines of the fireplace and the openness of the kitchen are calming. Somehow, Mr. Pawson's minimalism does not feel limiting, but strangely liberating and soothing. Maybe it's the soft palette, the view over the park, glass window repairs the generously sized window restoration and repair rooms that make the spaces feel clean and yes, comfortable -- even for a pack rat.

I'm simply not worried here about where to put all our stuff. I say a silent prayer: Yes, if I could afford to live here, I promise I would get rid of everything -- and I mean everything -- that would disrupt the serenity of this environment.

Mr. Pawson's words come to mind. "I never said people should live without stuff, although I personally don't like to have more than I need around," he said.

I'm enraptured, even though I can't help feeling that I could never live up to this aesthetic. And I'm just not sure I want my home to be better than I am.

If you have some experience in stained glass handi-crafts repairing your old or damaged stained glass window is a project you may consider doing yourself. This article assumes you have at least some experience in this craft. If your window is very valuable, if you do not have any experience in stained glass window making or if you lack confidence in your abilities this is a task you may want to leave to the professionals. Otherwise, the process is very much like creating a new stained glass window and even a little easier in the sense that you do not have to do much, if any, glass cutting.

Problem #1: The leaded stained glass window cames are around seventy years old (or older) and have become brittle causing bulging or breaking.

This usually begins to happen in a stained glass window over seventy years old. Lead does not rot or rust, but it does lose its elasticity and become brittle over time. If left unattended it may cause the stained glass pieces to fall out or break as well.

The Solution:

Re-leading the window. This is time consuming, but very worthwhile to restore your stained glass window to its original beauty and integrity. The following steps must be taken:

1. Take a photograph of the window and measure lead cames to help with reconstructing it later.

2. Take the panel out of the window frame and remove panel framing.

3. Next, you will need to take the entire panel apart using the soldering iron to loosen solder and gently pry the old cames from the glass pieces.

4. Dispose of old lead in an environmentally friendly way, you should probably take it to a metal recycling facility.

5. Next each piece of glass should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Lay the pieces in place so as not to become confused later.

6. Reassemble panel using with new lead cames in the same width as the original.

7. Broken stained glass pieces should be traced and matched as closely as possible to a new piece of glass cut with the pattern you create. Another option if you have all the broken pieces and either cannot match the stained glass closely enough or do not want to put new pieces in, is to use thin lead cames to hold the broken pieces together. This option will likely make it obvious that the window has been repaired, so use with care.

8. New cement should be applied to both sides

9. New reinforcement bars should now be attached.

10. The stained glass panel is now ready to be re-framed and re-hung.

This process should be done when the window is nearing seventy years old. Following the steps above should result in a complete restoration of your stained glass window and it should be as structurally sound as a brand new one.

Problem #2: One stained glass panel in a window less than 70-years-old is broken.

The Solution:

This will depend on the location of the broken piece. If it is near the outer edge, you may be able to get away with carefully breaking the damaged piece out of the frame and using the soldering iron to loosen the lead cames and then re-soldering the new piece in place as in #7 above. If the broken piece is in a difficult location or if there are several broken pieces, you may want to re-lead the entire window following the above instructions. If there is a small crack, you might consider using a glass repair kit from the automotive shop. These are used to fix small chips and cracks in windshields and if the damage is slight, may be a suitable way to repair the crack and prevent further damage.

There are a number of other small repairs that you can do yourself such as re-painting areas that have flaked off, but these will need to be removed and re-kilned and you may want to consult with a professional for help with that. Restoring your stained glass window may be a painstaking process, but it is worth it to preserve its original beauty and make it last for future generations.

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window

Repairing Your Stained Glass Window Sash Window Repairs North London

So, when I heard that the developer Ian Schrager of trendy boutique hotel fame had chosen the English architect John Pawson, a maestro of minimalist style, to transform the 18-story building at 50 Gramercy Park North into a 23-residence condominium, I could not wait to see how the worlds of cutting-edge design and Old World charm could be joined.

I have also always loved the idea of living on Gramercy Park, an enclave reminiscent of the small-scaled and civilized squares I craved from my student days in London so many years ago. Not surprisingly, I am not alone, and Mr. Schrager knows that. His marketing copy ("A precious and rare opportunity with additional services and amenities created exclusively for a family") links bucolic scenes of the park with digital images of the proposed interiors in a deliciously illustrated brochure (a little girl in a flowered dress, small boys in berets, sun-dappled trees) that is as seductive as an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.

Having made an appointment for a visit on a cold, clear morning, I meet Mr. Schrager in front of the building, where construction is in full swing. We don hard hats and ride an exterior elevator up to what will be Apartment 5B, where one can look out the floor-to-ceiling window in the future living room at a mouth-watering view of the park. The clear expanse of glass and a bird's-eye view of the park are mesmerizing even with the naked trees and empty benches.

Mr. Schrager explains that we are standing in what was once part of the gap between the 181-room Gramercy Park Hotel (also Mr. Schrager's and being totally redesigned by the artist Julian Schnabel in what the developer called "a quirky bohemian style and Renaissance colors") and its original annex. The new glass "minitower," which Mr. Pawson calls "the new bit," is now connected to that annex, which has had its windows enlarged to unify it with the new building.

In a telephone interview from London, Mr. Pawson said that Mr. Schrager wanted 12-foot ceilings. "But as that was not possible to have on every floor, we figured out how to add a high-ceilinged extra space to apartments on every other floor," he said. "I see it as a kind of compression and release."

I'm impressed with the architect's clever way of adding glass boxes to the prewar building. It's a respectful solution that does not fight with the Old World feeling of the area, sort of like a facelift that works.

There are four apartments still available, and all have views of the park: 5A (2,149 square feet for $6.250 million); 9B (2,873 square feet for $9.35 million); 7A (3,477 square feet for $8.975 million), and 14A (2,988 square feet for $10.250 million) as well as a 4,235-square-foot penthouse with a 1,306-square-foot terrace that is $16 million. (Monthly maintenance ranges from $5,472 to an astonishing $17,721.)

The sheer size of most of the apartments is what seems to particularly excite Mr. Schrager. One master bedroom measures 945 square feet.

"Most developers don't like to build big apartments," Mr. Schrager said. "They are often harder to sell than smaller, more flexible units where the market is deeper."

Mr. Schrager said the apartments come with the type of services that only the very privileged enjoy. Here, it is called executive lifestyle management and includes room service, babysitting, painting and repair services, and like the hotel around the corner, turn-down service.

Mr. Schrager suggests we visit the full-size mock-ups of a kitchen and bathroom. On the way, I try to reconcile the concept of these large family apartments with Mr. Pawson's particular brand of minimalism -- the nearly spiritual kind where a box of Kleenex on the bathroom counter, a dirty frying pan in the sink, a plastic toy truck on the rug, or a pile of old magazines can be major intrusions. Never mind that the English architect (known in New York for the serenely neat Calvin Klein store) is a father himself (his sons Caius and Benedict are 20 and 16, his stepdaughter, Phoebe, is 27) and that he has had plenty of experience raising children in his oft-photographed and sublimely uncluttered home.

"Kids feel free in these kinds of spaces," Mr. Pawson said. "Having a clear run seems nicer for them. We were the most popular parents on the block."

As our children are of similar ages, and as a fan of Mr. Pawson's plain open spaces, I've always toyed with the idea that my family could not only live in such uncluttered splendor but that 50 Gramercy Park North might very well be the fulfillment of this design junkie's dream. I also buy into the current design ethos: the pale-hued bathroom as a sanctuary, the sleek kitchen, wide open to the living space, as a family gathering spot.

Running my finger across translucent glass tile and smooth travertine, or beautifully finished cherrywood materials that are as soothing and tactile as they are sophisticated, I believe that if I lived there I would be able to breathe more deeply and have loftier thoughts, unimpeded by piles of paper or a jumble of mismatched pillows. I am drawn not only to the quality of the materials he chose but to the feeling of lightness and calm that his spaces exude.

Even in the model apartment, the clean lines of the fireplace and the openness of the kitchen are calming. Somehow, Mr. Pawson's minimalism does not feel limiting, but strangely liberating and soothing. Maybe it's the soft palette, the view over the park, the generously sized rooms that make the spaces feel clean and yes, comfortable -- even for a pack rat.

I'm simply not worried here about where to put all our stuff. I say a silent prayer: Yes, if I could afford to live here, I promise I would get rid of everything -- and I mean everything -- that would disrupt the serenity of this environment.

Mr. Pawson's words come to mind. "I never said people should live without stuff, although I personally don't like to have more than I need around," he said.

I'm enraptured, even though I can't help feeling that I could never live up to this aesthetic. And I'm just not sure I want my home to be better than I am.

If you have some experience in stained glass handi-crafts repairing your old or damaged stained glass window is a project you may consider doing yourself. This article assumes you sash window repair north london have at least some experience in this craft. If your window is very valuable, if you do not have any experience in stained glass window making or if you lack confidence in your abilities this is a task you may want to leave to the professionals. Otherwise, the process is very much like creating a new stained glass window and even a little easier in the sense that you do not have to do much, if any, glass cutting.

Problem #1: The leaded stained glass window cames are around seventy years old (or older) and have become brittle causing bulging or breaking.

This usually begins to happen in a stained glass window over seventy years old. Lead does not rot or rust, but it does lose its elasticity and become brittle over time. If left unattended it may cause the stained glass pieces to fall out or break as well.

The Solution:

Re-leading the window. This is time consuming, but very worthwhile to restore your stained glass window to its original beauty and integrity. The following steps must be taken:

1. Take a photograph of the window and measure lead cames to help with reconstructing it later.

2. Take the panel out of the window frame and remove panel framing.

3. Next, you will need to take the entire panel apart using the soldering iron to loosen solder and gently pry the old cames from the glass pieces.

4. Dispose of old lead in an environmentally friendly way, you should probably take it to a metal recycling facility.

5. Next each piece of glass should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Lay window repairs essex the pieces in place so as not to become confused later.

6. Reassemble panel using with new lead cames in the same width as the original.

7. Broken stained glass pieces should be traced and matched as closely as possible to a new piece of glass cut with the pattern you create. Another option if you have all the broken pieces and either cannot match the stained glass closely enough or do not want to put new pieces in, is to use thin lead cames to hold the broken pieces together. This option will likely make it obvious that the window has been repaired, so use with care.

8. New cement should be applied to both sides

9. New reinforcement bars should now be attached.

10. The stained glass panel is now ready to be re-framed and re-hung.

This process should be done when the window is nearing seventy years old. Following the steps above should result in a complete restoration of your stained glass window and it should be as structurally sound as a brand new one.

Problem #2: One stained glass panel in a window less than 70-years-old is broken.

The Solution:

This will depend on the location of the broken piece. If it is near the outer edge, you may be able to get away with carefully breaking the damaged piece out of the frame and using the soldering iron to loosen the lead cames and then re-soldering the new piece in place as in #7 above. If the broken piece is in a difficult location or if there are several broken pieces, you may want to re-lead the entire window following the above instructions. If there is a small crack, you might consider using a glass repair kit from the automotive shop. These are used to fix small chips and cracks in windshields and if the damage is slight, may be a suitable way to repair the crack and prevent further damage.

There are a number of other small repairs that you can do yourself such as re-painting areas that have flaked off, but these will need to be removed and re-kilned and you may want to consult with a professional for help with that. Restoring your stained glass window may be a painstaking process, but it is worth it to preserve its original beauty and make it last for future window draught generations.