Is It Better To Repair Or Replace My KC Church’s Stained Glass?

Replacing And Repairing Stained Glass On Kansas City Churches

You can find lovely stained glass windows on churches all around Kansas City and these beautiful pieces of history are well loved too–especially by the parishioners of the churches they adorn. They are so beloved in fact, that here at Scottish Stained Glass, we get many calls from area congregations about restoration. One question posed to us quite often in these calls is whether old stained glass is something best to have repaired or whether replacement is a better option. This is because often times on aging stained glass window frames are sagging or the glass itself is dirty, chipped, cracked, or even missing pieces of glass altogether, as these windows are nearing 100 years old. Whether to replace or repair stained glass is a question very much answered on a case by case basis but we have outlined a few things for churchgoers to think about below to help give you some guidance.

Weigh The Cost Of Replacing Vs. Repairing Stained Glass Windows

Restoring damaged stained glass windows, especially very large ones, can be quite pricey. However, keep in mind that, once they are restored, the value of these stained glass window could go up as much as 4x as much as they value of a new window. While a new window may cost less initially, it will be decades before its value is equal to a restored antique stained glass window. In regards to the cost, at Scottish Stained Glass Kansas City, we have seen many congregations hold fundraisers for their stained glass repairs and we are always happy to give you some guidance on what we have seen work with other congregations. This type of project is one we have almost always seen most congregations support and even communities as well.

Understand That Scottish Stained Glass Can Match Your Existing Glass

One hesitation that many churches have with replacing their church stained glass is that they think antique glass cannot be matched. While it is true that techniques used to create some older stained glass are difficult, happily we have some of the most skilled stained glass repair artists in the state, able to precisely match almost any stained glass panel. We also have developed special methods for removing and restoring very large church stained glass windows. Now, these types of restorations do take quite a bit of time but will the amazing process brings these windows of great sentimental and monetary value back to their original luster and beauty. Additionally, these restored windows will easily last another 80-100 years before needing more work.

Consider The History Of Your Church’s Stained Glass

Lastly, don’t forget what a long and unique history your Kansas City church stained glass holds. Many stained glass windows have accrued a lot of value both monetary and sentimental–so keeping them is a strong option. If your stained glass is very old (dating back to the early-mid 20th century) your church’s stained glass windows may have been designed by a stained glass master of the time, which greatly increases their value. Also, works by this skilled artisan play an important part of the history of your church which in and of itself hold value. In this case, investing in an extensive stained glass repair project may well be the best choice for your congregation.

Watch the video below for more information on repairing your church’s stained glass:

https://vimeo.com/260787371

 

Scottish Stained Glass For Your Kansas City Church Stained Glass Restoration

If your church stained glass shows signs of wear it is a good idea to have Scottish Stained Glass come in and consult with you. In the case of very old stained glass, it is best not to wait because the damage will only grow worse and more costly to repair over time. Contact us today for a free, onsite consultation of your Kansas City church stained glass.