Standards and Guidelines for the Preservation of Historic Stained Glass Windows

The primary goal of conservation professionals, stained glass restorers, conservators and consultants is the preservation of cultural property. This property may be important and deserving of preservation for its artistic, historic, religious or social significance. This property is invaluable and must be preserved for the appreciation and investigation of future generations. It is not enough for conservators to properly handle a given object or objects; they must also be committed to the dissemination of new information, the support of fellow professionals and the promotion of educational opportunities within the field.

Virtually all professional disciplines, construction trades and major industries have standards and practices that are universal for their respective groups. The development of these criteria determines the measure of value and quality that the consumer can reasonably expect when purchasing goods or services that the industry or profession has to offer. Further, the standards and practices protect the members of the industry as well, by establishing a standard so that the practitioners can address the needs of the owners and the cultural property in a consistent, professional manner. It is imperative that all members of the industry exhibit the courage and integrity to adhere to the standards and practices once they are established and to demand that fellow craftspersons do the same.

The Stained Glass Association of America, in its role as the voice of the stained glass profession in America, sets forth herein the Preservation Standards, Standards for Professional Conduct, and Guidelines for Preservation Techniques to assist responsible conservators of stained glass windows that constitute a major and important facet of our cultural property.

Outline of Topics Covered

I. Introduction

        Purpose

        Conventions

II. Preservation Standards

III. Standards for Professional Conduct

        Contracts

        Conflicts of interest

        Legal disputes

        Laws and regulations

        Misconduct

        References

        Administration

        Security

        Authentication

        Preventive maintenance

        Techniques and materials

IV. Guidelines for Preservation Techniques

        Documentation

        Dismantling

        Cleaning

        Broken glass

                        Copperfoil repair

                        Silicone edge-gluing

                        Epoxy edge-gluing

                        Missing glass

        Releading

        Waterproofing (Cementing)

        Support Systems

        Reinstallation

        Final documentation

        Protective glazing

V. Additional Information

        Glass

        Setting materials

        Conservation tape

        Photographic film

        Paper

        Cleaning agents

        Silicone

        Epoxy

        Lead cames

        Flux

        Solder

        Waterproofing compound

        Copper tie wires

        Support bars, Tees and Fins

        Suggested Standard Notation

                        Symbols

The complete second edition of
The Standards and Guidelines for the Preservation of Historic Stained Glass Windows
is available from the SGAA Executive Offices by calling 800.438-9581.