Period glass, patient craft, lasting light.
Where a period window is missing or beyond repair, new stained glass can be a considered addition rather than pastiche. This practical guide covers briefing a craftsman, matching historic palette and leading, securing consent and judging realistic costs and lead times in 2026.
Between 1880 and 1920, British stained glass turned away from industrial uniformity and towards the hand, the hearth and the local maker. This guide traces the signatures of Arts and Crafts glazing—texture, lead line and painted detail—and sets out a conservation-minded approach for period homeowners.
Stained glass can be the making of a period home—or a costly omission in the survey. Before you exchange contracts, use this twelve-point audit to separate honest age from hidden failure, with indicative UK repair costs and clear negotiation points.