Glazing a six light window sash.

Preservation Glass for Historic Windows

Clients' putty glazing requirements are met with our use of float or preservation glass. Our preservation glass is contemporary glass manufactured by hand using traditional methods. These methods result in the waviness, bubbles and "seeds" that are present in and give such character to glass in older homes. We have skilled glazers on hand to manage jobs ranging from a few hundred lights to several thousand.

For restoration work, matching the window glass can be as important as matching the window sash. Historic building glass adds a striking but subtle element to a building, profoundly affecting both the quality of light within the building and its exterior appearance. The difference between the flat light allowed by modern "float" glass and the varied, refracted light seen through period cylinder glass is unmistakable. From outside, the variations between each window light (pane) give a lively, dancing quality to the reflections cast from the windows exterior.

The variations between each window light give a lively, dancing quality to the reflections cast.

Cylinder glass is a hand blown glass, formed from a molten balloon of silica into a cylinder and then cut open and smoothed into sheets. Credible period window glass made by the cylinder method is still made in Europe, in Germany, Poland and France. The detail photo at left that shows the pleasing irregular reflection achieved by glazing with preservation glass.

Smith Restoration Sash Glass also uses a bullseye glass made by Sugar Hollow Glass of New Fairfield, CT using traditional methods. Bullseyes were the by-product of the crown glass manufacturing technique. Because they are not suitable as viewing glass, they were often sold at a discount to farmers for use in barn door transoms. It is available in hues other than clear such as blue or green. Scroll down this page to view an assembled transom and for a detail of handmade bullseye glass.

Our commitment to customer service enables clients to control costs and quality. The process begins with an initial consultation and estimate, continues through the development of custom tooling and concludes with timely delivery of a high quality finished product. We form long lasting relationships with architects, restoration contractors and historic commissions. Repeat clients know to consult us early in the design process to assure a successful project. Do you have a question about historic windows? Contact us and we'll be happy to respond. Contact us by email or call our office at 401.351.1222. 

Traditional use of bulleye glass in a transom sash. Glass made by Sugar Hollow Glass.

Detail of bullseye glass.