Leaded & Georgian Glass

Whether your home already features traditional leaded windows or you're looking for a new style, we can replicate any traditional lead pattern using self-adhesive lead. Self-adhesive lead comes in 4mm, 6mm, 9mm, and 12mm widths, available in silver, aged effect, black, gold, and other colours. Profiles are flat or oval, and we can solder the joints for a high-quality finish.

Traditionally, lead lites were made from separate glass panes held together with lead came. With modern sealed units, self-adhesive lead is applied directly to the glass to form the design. It’s usually applied to both sides of one sheet in the sealed unit—one side facing the atmosphere and the other enclosed inside the cavity.

Lead naturally darkens when exposed to the elements. Newly applied lead appears shiny but will age over time. The lead inside the unit remains unchanged, as it’s sealed. Some prefer this preserved look, while others prefer a darker, aged appearance, which we can achieve using specially treated aged effect lead.

Be aware that new lead exposed to air may go through a staining process. White deposits can form, and streaks may appear on the glass. This is temporary and fades as the lead settles.

To reduce these marks, Patination Oil can be applied to the lead surface.

Traditionally Georgian effect windows were made of timber often associated with being hard to clean to due the small individual panes, and a nightmare to paint both inside and out. Through the sixties and seventies saw the mass build of houses many of which included whole estates with windows made of softwood in Georgian style, single glazed soon to become draughty and all the problems associated with maintenance.

With the introduction of more affordable double glazing come along the mock Georgian effect windows where the glazing spars are supported between the panes of glass, normally made of 18 or 25 mm white aluminium profiles. Also available in browns and foiled finishes

Benefits:

• Clean sight lines
• Easy to clean flat glass
• Can be made to replicate any existing layout or pattern even curves and arches

Disadvantages:

• Do not look authentic close up (not acceptable in some conservation areas)
• Do not look authentic on true timber windows
• Can look a different colour to the main window frames
• Grid sizes can look odd on some frames unless dummy sashes are used to give equal sightlines
• Unequal Sight Lines
• Glass sightlines are not symmetrical in height and width

Georgian – equal sight lines. Glass sightlines are symmetrical in height and width.

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We offer expert installation of high-quality triple and double glazed windows, doors, bi-fold doors, patio doors, composite doors, conservatories, and roof lanterns. If your home is located outside of the areas we typically cover, feel free to give us a call—we’re happy to discuss availability and may still be able to arrange an installation in your area.

When you choose Cristal Windows for your local double glazing and triple glazing installations, you are not only choosing an ethical, professional and family run business, but also a window company that provides high-quality products. We take the utmost care when installing our range of windows, doors, and conservatories and are accredited by trustworthy schemes such as FENSA.

We offer installations to homeowners in Berkshire, Hampshire, or Surrey.