Things to Consider Before Restoring Church Stained Glass

If your Salt Lake City church is more than 80 years old and has stained glass this could mean two things.  One, your church’s stained glass windows are likely antiques.  Two, if it has never been restored it is probably time to consider restoration.  But first, you must weigh the pros and cons of repairs to make an informed decision.

Pros and Cons of Restoring Church Stained Glass

Pro: Antique Church Stained Glass Has Monetary Value

While it may not seem like much, the historic stained glass in your Salt Lake City church could be worth quite a bit of money.  There are many factors that determine this like the maker of the glass, the materials used, and the current state of the glass.  However, in almost any case, restoring your church stained glass will increase its value.

Pro: Antique Church Stained Glass Has Historical Value

Stained glass from the early days of this city has a lot of historical value for churches and the city alike. Some church stained glass is more historically valuable than others.  It depends on which glass studio made the window, what materials and techniques were used, and even what part of the city your church is in.  Regardless, preserving church stained glass windows is a way of holding on to both local and church history.  

Pro: Antique Stained Glass Has Sentimental Value

One of the biggest pros of church stained glass restoration is preserving the sentimental value of the windows.  Stained glass in churches has been a fixture throughout the years and many congregation members really value it.  By having it restored you allow members to hold on to church event memories and for new generations to create new ones.

Con: Church Stained Glass Restoration is Expensive

Stained glass restoration get expensive.  When it comes to antique glass, depending on the size and scope or the repairs, the costs can start to add up.  This is particularly true when the entire frame structure needs to be taken down and reconstructed.  This cost may be prohibitive to some churches.  But there are many ways of raising the funds through the Salt Lake City community, including historical grants.

Con: Church Stained Glass Restoration can be Time-consuming

A church stained glass restoration project often included several windows and many square feet of repairs. This means the restoration process is lengthy.  Often, our studio needs to match colors or techniques from over 100 years ago which takes time.  This means is your church is considering restoration, be sure to account for your windows being removed and in our studio for repairs for as long as a year. 

For more information on stained glass restoration for your Salt Lake City church’s stained glass windows, contact us at Scottish Stained Glass today for a free, onsite consultation.