Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 6/5/2005

Question
Home built approximately 1885.Front window is quite large with 1/2 moon leaded glass transom.Leaded glass seems to be supported only by lower sash which has sagged and allowed leaded glass to release from upper track and lean into front room.I would like to return leaded glass to track without removing entire window.Also there are 3 rods wired to leaded glass panel which appear to be origonal.My approach would be to slowly(over time),jack or pull panel back up into track.What would you suggest?Any info would be appreciated as we would like to  keep home as origonal as possible.thank you in advance.rgwallis.

Answer
Greg:

Thanks for your question!

The best solution would be to remove the window and have it professionally restored - over time, the caming in leaded glass windows can get fragile and you might endanger the entire window by working on it in place.

Chances are that the sash sill won't react the way you want.  Your solution of slowly jacking works on large structural members, but isn't likely to effective on something as small as a window sash part.  It's possible that the sash will reach a point where it suddenly snaps and destroys the window.

The rods may or may not be original, but they're there to help keep the caming from sagging (which is caused by wind pressure and the heating/cooling cycle over the years).  They should stay in place.

If you really need to keep the glass in place, I'd suggest securing the glass in place, then removing the sash sill.  Take the sill to a mill shop and have a new one made.  Then install the new sash sill and use that to (gently!) push the glazing back into place.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.com
www.betterhomedesign.blogspot.com