One of the wonderful things about leaded stained glass is that it is relatively easy to repair if it becomes damaged: If you drop a sheet of glass and it smashes, it is unusable. If you drop a leaded panel it may break a few pieces of glass and become bent up, but can usually be repaired by a stained glass specialist and still preserve the artistic integrity of the original.

Broken glass within a leaded window can often be repaired in-situ such as this window in Hawick Town Hall:

Before

After in-situ repair 2024

If a window is collapsing, keep it (and you) safe by temporarily taping it together. Save any pieces that have fallen out as these are useful and may be re-used. Even small pieces help us to find a good matching replacement glass.

This window in Selkirk was torn apart gradually by years of subsidence

Original glass re-leaded to fit opening 2024

This window in Marchmont St Giles Church, Edinburgh had begun to collapse due to failure of the steel supporting frame and ageing lead.

It was letting in the weather – you can even see daylight

Repaired window 2014.