encapsulated stained glass

missjc_3

Hi I have just bought a house with original victorian stained glass in the bay window at the front, 5 panels. I was just wondering if anyone has had their stained glass encapsulated into double/triple glazing, and what was the cost etc, I couldnt afford to get the rear windows done too, but it seems a shame to just bin the originals thanks for any replys

sashman

Hi missjc,

yes it is possible, looks great and often people dont realise its triple glazed but its not cheap and the glass may break because its old and brittle. It is possible to get acid etched patterns as produced in the Victorian period, but again cost is high, but well worth doing if you want great looking windows that are energy efficient.

Ben84

Sealing your glass up in these is potentially a bad option for decorative glass you want to keep. Double glazed units don't last forever. 5-15 years perhaps, then they leak their gas and fill up with condensation that eventually becomes mouldy water inside them. Normally at this point the whole glass unit is thrown out and replaced, so I would ask questions about how readily the glass could be used again after being put in to the sealed glass unit.

You could still buy secondary glazing instead, some of which has very good thermal and sound insulation, so it's not to be assumed that it's a lesser substitute for double glazing.

diable

Check to see if you are in a conservation area first.

Peartree

Many double glazing companies offer encapsulation, particularly in areas where a lot of houses have old stained glass. It isn't a 'specialist' company sort of thing any more.

I've had all my stained glass done and, whilst I can't recall how much extra it was, I was pleasantly surprised at the price. It certainly doesn't damage your glass, it actually preserves it. The company I used took the glass away, had it cleaned and restored, and then put it in a glazed panel. It looks great. I have a very large window on the stairwell which was starting to deteriorate but it looks fabulous now and I think it was the most economical way to preserve it (and to stop the stairwell and hall being freezing!). Like you, I also had a large five panel circular bay window done.

I was very concerned about how it would look and just got one small window (badly rotten) done first. I was so pleased I got all the others done straight away. From the inside, you can't actually tell that it is now triple glazed.

There is no question of it reducing the life time of the glass. When the units reach the end of their life they can just put the stained glass panel into a new unit. The outer layer of glass on one of my units got cracked and the company just took it away, put the stained glass in a new unit and brought it back a couple of days later.

I think if you contact a few local double glazing companies you will be surprised at how many offer encapsulation as a standard service and that it doesn't cost nearly as much as you thought. Bear in mind that preserving the stained glass will also add to the value of your house.

Just in case you are nearby I used Direct Windows based in Blackpool.

missjc_3

thanks very much for the information and replies, its not as daunting a task as i first thought now im near manchester, so i will have a shop around with a few different companies. thanks again