Stained glass repair & restoration.

Conservation, repair, and restoration of stained glass windows for churches, historic landmarks, and private residences. In-house artisans with decades of experience preserving irreplaceable glass.

Discuss Your Project

75+

Years of Expertise

AIC

Conservation Member

40+

Master Artisans

12mo

Workmanship Warranty

Specialty Craft

Preserving light, colour, and history.

Stained glass windows are among the most fragile and historically significant elements of any building. Over time, lead cames weaken, glass cracks, painted details fade, and protective glazing deteriorates — threatening centuries of artistry.

Olek’s in-house stained glass artisans and glaziers bring the same precision and reverence to glass conservation that our firm has applied to furniture, metalwork, and architectural restoration since 1950.

We follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, ensuring every panel is documented, stabilised, and returned to its original splendour.

First Church of Christ, Scientist — Door Restoration — after restoration by Olek Inc.

Repair & Releading

Broken glass replacement, lead came re-soldering, buckled panel straightening, and full releading for windows that have lost structural integrity. We match original glass colour, texture, and opacity.

Conservation & Painting Restoration

Stabilisation of historic painted glass, kiln-fired paint restoration, surface cleaning, and reversible consolidation treatments. Archival documentation of every panel before and after work.

Protective Glazing

Installation of exterior protective glazing systems (Lexan, laminated, or vented) to shield historic stained glass from weather, vandalism, and UV degradation without altering the original appearance.

Ecclesiastical

Churches, cathedrals, and houses of worship.

Religious stained glass represents some of the finest craftsmanship in architectural history. From rose windows to narrative lancets, we restore ecclesiastical glass with the respect and precision these sacred works demand.

Our work on church doors and steel entryways — including projects like St. Paul the Apostle Cathedral — often involves restoring stained glass panels integrated into the metalwork, combining our glazing and metalworking expertise in a single project.

Pratt House windows and doors after restoration by Olek Inc.

Residential

Transoms, sidelights, and decorative panels.

Victorian homes, brownstones, and estate properties often feature stained glass transoms, sidelights, cabinet inserts, and decorative ceiling panels. These pieces are integral to a home’s character and value.

We repair cracked glass, re-lead deteriorated panels, restore painted details, and fabricate historically accurate replacement pieces when originals are beyond repair.

St. Paul the Apostle Cathedral wood entrance doors after restoration by Olek Inc.

Commercial & Historic Landmarks

Courthouses, universities, and public buildings.

Large-scale stained glass projects in public and commercial buildings require careful logistics: scaffolding, phased removal, secure transport, and precise reinstallation. We manage the full scope from assessment through final installation.

Our NYS and NJ DOT-certified welders handle the steel and iron frames that house stained glass in many institutional buildings, ensuring both the glass and its supporting structure are properly restored.

Our Process

From survey to reinstallation – every step documented.

Stained glass restoration requires meticulous care at every stage. We document each panel with high-resolution photography, create detailed condition reports, and maintain a chain of custody for every piece of glass.

Whether your project involves a single residential panel or an entire building’s complement of windows, we scale our process to match.

Survey & condition report. On-site assessment of glass condition, lead integrity, paint stability, and structural frame. Detailed photographic documentation.

Careful removal & transport. Each panel is numbered, padded, and crated for safe transport to our workshop. Temporary weatherproofing installed at the site.

Workshop restoration. Cleaning, releading, glass repair or replacement, paint stabilisation, and kiln-fired paint restoration where needed. Every intervention is reversible and documented.

Reinstallation & protection. Panels are reinstalled with fresh putty and weatherproofing. Protective glazing systems are installed where specified. Warranty documentation provided.

Stained glass restoration FAQ.

Can cracked stained glass be repaired?

Yes. Hairline cracks can often be stabilised with edge-gluing or copper foil reinforcement. If a piece is shattered beyond repair, we fabricate a replacement matched in colour, texture, and opacity to the surrounding original glass.

How long does stained glass restoration take?

Timelines vary by scope. A single residential panel may take 2–4 weeks; a full ecclesiastical window programme can span several months. We provide a detailed timeline during the assessment phase and keep you updated throughout.

What is protective glazing?

Protective glazing is an exterior layer of clear glass or polycarbonate installed over the original stained glass. It shields against weather, vandalism, and UV damage. Vented systems allow air circulation to prevent condensation buildup.

Do you work on both leaded and copper foil stained glass?

Yes. We restore both traditional lead came (H-channel) stained glass and copper foil (Tiffany-style) pieces. Each technique requires different restoration methods, and our artisans are experienced in both.

Can painted details on stained glass be restored?

Yes. Kiln-fired painted glass can be stabilised and, where necessary, repainted and re-fired to match the original technique. We document all painted details before intervention to ensure accuracy.

Start Your Project

Every window tells a story.

Send photos of your stained glass for a free assessment, or call to discuss scope, condition, and timeline.

(212) 243-3363
Call Us Directly info@olekrestoration.com
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