How to get started with Historical Restoration of Stained Glass for Retail Spaces in Kansas City
Kansas City was a pioneer town back in the day and because of this, some stores here have stained glass dating back to the early 1900s. Stained glass from this era is usually due for restoration. Why? Because stained glass made at the turn and early 20th century were built to last about 80-100 years before needing major repairs. If you have stained glass in your KC retail location, this could mean a couple of things. First, it is probably time to get your retail location’s stained glass repaired if you want it to last another 100 years. Secondly, the stained glass in your Kansas City store could have historical value to consider when contemplating the value and cost of repairs. But where does one even begin on the restoration of historical retail stained glass? We have that answer below.
Determining If Your Retail Stained Glass Needs Restoration
Examine Your Store’s Stained Glass
The first step on your restoration journey is to take a good look at your stained glass to get an idea of its surface appearance. This means looking to see if there are any chips, cracks or missing pieces. Also, examine the caming (the lead strips that connect the glass panels). Is it chipped and brittle? Or does it look saggy? These are all signs that tell you the stained glass in your Kansas City retail spot may need repair.
Have A Professional Access Your Stained Glass
The next thing to do is to have a professional do an actual assessment of your stained glass. They will take a much deeper look at the glass, leading and, most critically, the structural elements. They will be able to see things you may have missed like concave windows or micro-fissures. They will also be able to write up an estimate of time and cost. This will be important for the next step.
Talk To Your Investors and Employees
Once you know exactly what is wrong with your stained glass, how much it will cost to repair and how long it will take, the next step is to talk to those invested in your store. This could mean everything from investors to partners and staff. Since employees may have to take a bit of time off during restoration–talking to them about the process is important. Most of the time we here at Scottish are not at all intrusive but preparing interested parties is key to a successful stained glass restoration.
For more information on retail stained glass or stained glass restoration in Kansas City, contact us at Kansas City Stained Glass today!
Martin Faith
Martin Faith is from Glasgow, Scotland, the stained glass capital of the world. Martin has been practicing the art of making stained glass windows for over thirty years and is a collector of antique works. His excellent craftmanship and extensive knowledge of the art form, including the required techniques for glassmaking, styles, and history of stained glass make him an expert in his field. Martin owns one of the largest stained glass window studios in the country. The company specializes in stained glass repair and restoration, religious stained glass, commercial stained glass, and custom residential stained and leaded glass. Together, Martin and his team have created hundreds of stained glass windows for homes and buildings in the Kansas City area.
