Watkins Stained Glass

Restoration

Restoration is the process in which an old stained glass window is repaired using reverse techniques from which the window was originally made to carefully take it apart in areas that are damaged. When the glass is broken, we attempt to use the same original glass (we do have an extensive supply of 50-100 year old glass at the studio passed down through the generations) and also use the original lead came. The desired end result will be a stained glass window that has been repaired in such a way that it looks exactly as if it were brand new 100 years ago, thus, not altered from the original condition. There is great importance placed on the historical value of the window. We strive to restore damaged areas of windows rather than replace them, which requires a high level of master-craftsmanship, skill, ingenuity and experience. The studio is now restoring some of the stained glass windows made by the Watkins craftsmen 80 to 120 years ago; these newly restored windows should be expected to last another 100 years. We work hard at creating and restoring windows that will have sustainability into the next century