Lead light glass repair: period windows, brought back to life.
We repair, restore and re-lead stained glass and leaded-light windows. From a single cracked pane in a 1930s front door to a full Edwardian fanlight rebuild, our glaziers work on period glass in situ and in our workshop.
Family homes, listed buildings, churches and pubs across Surrey, London and the South-East.
Lead light and stained glass, in situ or in the workshop
Lead light windows are held together by lead cames (the H-shaped strips that grip each piece of glass). When the lead sags, the glass rattles, water gets in and the panel distorts. A repair re-cements the glass into the lead, replaces any broken panes, and re-tensions the lead so the panel sits square again.
Most repairs we do are in the customer's home or business. We take the panel out, bring it back to the workshop, and refit it the same day or the next. For larger or more decorative panels (church windows, large fanlights) we work from photographs and templates and do the repair over a longer period.
Lead light jobs we do
- Single cracked pane replacement: match the glass as closely as possible to the original.
- Re-cementing: re-bond the glass to the lead came. Stops the rattle, stops the draughts.
- Re-leading: full strip-down and re-lead with new came, retaining as much of the original glass as possible.
- Full restoration: for listed building or heritage work. Documented process, photographs at each stage.
- Double-glazing into existing leaded panels: slim-profile units that fit inside a leaded frame. Often the right answer for a draughty period window.
- Protective backing: clear or low-iron glass fitted behind the leaded panel to stop damage from the inside. Common for front doors and ground-floor windows.
Where we work
Most of our lead light work is in Surrey: Wallington, Sutton, Carshalton, Croydon, Epsom, Banstead, and across South London. We also take on work in listed buildings further afield on a case-by-case basis.
If you are not sure whether your window is lead light, send a photo. We can usually tell from the picture whether it is lead came, copper foil (Tiffany method), or just decorative glass in a modern frame.
Frequently asked questions
Can you match the glass in an old lead light panel?
Almost always. We hold a small library of period-pattern glass from the major UK manufacturers and can source more for unusual colours. If we cannot match exactly, we use a complementary glass and put it where it is least visible.
How much does lead light repair cost?
A simple re-cement of a single panel is in the £120–£220 range. Full re-leading starts around £280 and goes up by panel size and complexity. We quote per panel after seeing the work.
Can you take a panel away for repair?
Yes, for most domestic panels. We photograph the panel, document the original glass, and refit it on a return visit. For larger heritage work we do the work on-site.
Got a lead light that needs work?
Send us a photo and the rough size, or book a site visit in the Wallington area. Free inspection for insurance quotes.