Stained glass window in 1930s house - Is it worth restoring?

ahfh1

Hi,

My 1930s semi detached house has 2 original stained glass windows, and an original stained glass front door. I think they are leaded too, but not sure of this was used in the 1930s. They are all in the art deco style.

However the previous owners have painted the window frames in very think paint - so thick that it's impossible to close the windows. If I use a heat gun to remove the paint, will the glass 'melt'?

Also, one of the panes in the windows has cracked, measuring about 2 inches x 2 inches, so quite small. Is this expensive to replace the pane, and can it be done on site?

Finally, the door is mostly covered in glass and would look amazing if restored, but will it be expensive to strip the paint off and restore it to it's former glory? I'm also concerned that it won't be as well insulated as a modern door.

Cheers

sharkie

it takes quite a lot of heat to melt glass. The lead will melt far sooner than the glass will. I do think the glass may crack though.

Have you thought about a chemical stripper? If it is a small area I would use a soldering iron used for electronics (not a blow torch one) and scrape it gently away with that. In theory solder used in electronics has a slightly lower melting point that lead.

There also are craft people around that still produce old world stained glass windows too.