Summary: Pending Project: Stained-Glass Window Restoration

THE PLAN FOR OUR WINDOWS has been evolving in recent months. It is now more modest.… 

Rather than fully restore all 6 windows on the south side as originally suggested, we are looking to restore only the 5 openable panels that are sagging (out of 12 panels). This includes adding another unobtrusive internal support bar, to prevent sagging in the future. 

This sagging pane seems to be separating from its frame at an accelerating rate. We should plan to replace it within 6 months — before it collapses.

Meanwhile, we would remove the rust from, and repaint, all of the frames for the 6 windows — to arrest the deterioration, and to enable the windows to close snugly.

Rusty frames, bowed windows, cracked glass, and unsightly protective wire glass

We would also replace the exterior setting putty where missing, and reinstall missing latching handles, as needed. 

Relative Costs

The subtotal cost for this scaled-down phase of the project would be about 40% less. Doing that much now would enable the next phase — the restoration of the remaining panels — to be delayed by 15 or 20 years (given annual maintenance in the meantime, namely paint touch-up).

We are gathering quotes for the various aspects of this revised project. In terms of logistics and cost, it will probably make the most sense to fix up these windows at the same time as the south wall itself is being renovated.

BTW, restoring our 74-year-old windows would be less expensive than constructing replicas from scratch.