Double Glazed Glass Designs, Georgian, Leaded Lights. Tudor

Glass - Extras

When designing replacement windows or doors the addition of glass options such as "Georgian Grill" or "Leaded Lights" can have one of the greatest impacts on the overall look.

	Georgian Designs (usually created by a white aluminium profile inserted to make a design within the sealed unit)
	Lead Light Designs. (Lead in varying widths are applied to the glass to make rectangular, diamond and various Tudor designs)

Georgian Designs

Most "pseudo" Georgian designs are made using aluminium alloy of varying widths (19 mm and 25 mm are the most common) "pieced" together with "crucifix" joiners to create the design. 

Generally speaking you decide on the number of squares or rectangles you require and then divide the glass / window design accordingly. Be aware however that it's usually not possible to have all the rectangles / squares equal in size. (Unless you start from scratch and resize the windows) 

In practice this is not usually a problem for most people - however one way to perhaps lessen the effect of having varying sizes within the design is consider having an "equal sight line" design. With equal sight lines even the parts of the window which do not open have "dummy sashes" inserted which has the effect of making the overall sizes of the different pieces of glass more similar. 

A similar process of using aluminium extrusions within the sealed units can be used to create other designs in the windows such as Georgian Arches or Gothic Arches. (The extrusion is bent in a curve for this.) 

Lead Light Designs

The most common lead light designs are rectangular/square and diamond shaped designs. Other alternatives such as Tudor and Elizabethan designs are available.

If you wish to add a leaded design to existing windows strips of lead can be purchased from many DIY stores and applied yourself. (Varying widths available - 6 mm and 9 mm are most common) This does however require a "steady" hand and lots of patience. This process is often referred to as "single leading" because you can only apply the lead to one face of the glass - i.e. not the side of the glass facing towards the inside of the sealed unit.

Whilst the above can be quite satisfactory it will never look as good as "double leading" - where the lead is applied to both sides of the outside piece of glass in a double glazed unit prior to assembly. Please note the lead is only ever applied to one of the two pieces of glass making a double glazed unit. The inside is usually left as clear glass in order to make internal cleaning internally easier.

Special Note:

Be aware that because the lead that's on the inside of the sealed units will never "face the elements" it will after a period of time still look "new" and "pristine" while the outside will change colour/age. One alternative to letting this happen is to have the lead "aged" before the sealed unit is made and whilst this will cost more it's worth considering if you think this may bother you.

Also be aware that when lead is newly exposed to the elements it will go through a "staining" process where white carbonate forms on the lead and you may see white "streaks" on the glass. In time this will end as the lead "ages". One way to prevent this - is to apply Patination Oil to the lead. This process provides a more pleasing finish. (This is also a good idea to use when inserting lead flashing on conservatory roofs)

You may find out more about lead, Patination Oil and a new product called LEADSHIELD (a solvent free replacement to Patination Oil) visit the British Lead Mills web site at www.britishleadmills.com