Traditional Stained Glass Leadlights
Commissioning a stained glass leadlight
The process of commissioning a stained glass window for your home or business should be as seamless as possible, so we've put together this handy guide on measuring your space, designing the window, rough project timelines, delivery, installation and payment for getting started.
Measuring your space
To begin with, we need to learn about the area where your leadlight is going. Once we know what we're working with - whether it be a transom window, doorway or feature piece - we can better understand your vision.
All that we require from you at the start is some photographs and measurements. These must be done in Tight Size Measurement (TMS), which includes the space where the leadlight will sit behind the fittings, as well as the area of the window which will actually be visible. Below is a diagram that shows this in practice.
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Finding the tight size of your window can be tricky if there's not an easily distinguishable division between the frame and the beading or putty which actually holds the pane in place, so it's best to find out before going any further.
For the best fit possible, double and triple check your measurements before sending them over!
Designing your window
Now that we have the measurements, we can begin to design your window. This is the time to share your thoughts on the final product, including any colours, shapes, geometrics or particular styles that you would like to see included. Of course, we can recommend some examples if you are unsure of a specific style or theme, with Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles being very popular choices. Feel free to send over any inspirational pieces that you come across and we'll be happy to discuss options over the phone, via email, or video call.
Cost and invoices
As a general rule, more complex designs will take longer to draw up and put together, meaning more time and money spent, so it's worth considering your budget at this stage. We aim to provide a quote as early as possible in the commissioning process and all projects come with a itemised invoice so that you can see exactly where your money goes.
You can expect to pay between £50 to £150 per square foot of window, with a minimum three-square-foot charge enforced. This is because a smaller window takes almost the same amount of design, glass cutting, leading, cleanup, soldering, cementing and polishing as a three-square-foot one, therefore covering setup time.
A non-refundable deposit which is roughly fifty-percent of the final bill is required to begin the next step.
Project timeline
Once we have the design finalised, work on the window can begin. This can be anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity and size of the design in question. As before, we strive to be as transparent with the process as possible and provide regular updates so that you know roughly when the project will be completed, especially if carpenters or joiners are required for installation closer to the delivery date.
Delivery and installation
The finished project will be safely packed and hand delivered by us for free if you live within a reasonable distance of Norwich. If you live further afield, a secure courier service will ensure your new work of art arrives exactly as it leaves the workshop.
Because we operate purely on a supply-only service, installation and encapsulation is not included, but we can recommend trusted local tradesmen to cover this if you would not like to or feel able to do it yourself.