Will Stained Glass Fade Because Of UV Exposure?

Fading Stained Glass In Your Fort Collins Home

At Scottish Stained Glass we do custom stained glass that if properly cared for, will last a lifetime and probably many after that. However, we also do stained glass repair and restoration for homes and churches all across Fort Collins and Colorado. As a local stained glass expert, we get a lot of different questions about proper stained glass care, upkeep, appearance and the like. One such line of questioning we get often is about stained glass fading. In high altitude environments like Fort Collins especially, stained glass owners are often concerned about the effects of UV light on their stained glass. Read below to find out our answer to this and what may be causing your stained glass to dull.

Will Stained Glass Fade?

The colors of stained glass windows do not fade over time. However, all stained glass is not created equal, there are a number of different “stained glass methods, like glazing, painting and laminating that are not as well equipped to stand the test of time. “Stained glass” like this, in which the color is not baked in at a very high temperature, could fade from long term exposure to UV light.

If Stained Glass Doesn’t Fade Why Does Mine Look Dull?

While we cannot speak directly about the makeup of your stained glass without examining it, assuming you do have actual faceted stained glass, it is likely diminished in sheen and color because of weather conditions, indoor and outdoor man-made pollution, and biological damage caused by pests such as pigeons, bats, and various microorganisms. Likely your stained glass simply needs to be cleaned in order to restore it to its former glory.

Why Doesn’t Stained Glass Fade?

The glass is sand and other minerals heated to very high temperatures to cause the silica (sand) molecules to incorporate the other minerals into its molecular structure. The color depends on what mineral is present. Once the glass is cooled, the molecular structures are “locked” in and only high heat will unlock it.

Typically, stained glass windows will last about 75 to 150 years before they are in need of re-leading as long as the windows are properly made. The glass itself is very durable to stand the test of time it is usually the frames and the lead that end up needing repair. Even in you have a broken or chipped piece of glass, this can be easily replaced or remedied.

Fort Collin’s Stained Glass Experts

If you have stained glass that looks dull, is sagging or has visible chips in it, contact Scottish Stained Glass for a free on-site evaluation of your Fort Collin’s homes stained glass windows and to schedule a restoration right away. The best way to preserve your lovely stained glass is preventative maintenance and Scottish Stained Glass is just the pro for the job!