Leaded Conservatory Glass
Leaded glass, also known as Leaded Lights is a throwback to the time when all glass was hand cast and thus only available in small pieces. These pieces would then cut to a diamond or rectangular shape and joined together by lead to make a single window. Coloured/Stained glass is made in the same way.
Using leaded glass can help you receive Planning Permission for a conservatory being attached to Listed Building or one in a Conservation Area.
Modern leaded glass is not made using the same time consuming process of joining small pieces of glass together. Instead, lead strips are inserted both inside and outside of one of the panes of a double–glazed unit. A disadvantage can be the lead does not acquire a natural patina as it is not exposed to the elements and stays bright and shiny.
Richmond Oak can overcome this problem by specifying the lead strips to be aged before being inserted into the double–glazed unit. We call this Antique Lead.
Georgians Bars
If you own a Georgian period property, it will probably have windows made up from Georgian Bars. Georgian windows are most typically made up of a number of panes.
It is possible to make Georgian Bar double–glazed windows for a conservatory with multiple panes, but these will be more expensive than single panes of glass due to extra time and materials needed to make and install them. Each unit requires 8 mitres to cut and fit each side. So just an eight pane window requires 128 mitres.
There are three ways of providing Georgian Bars:
Satin Privacy & Obscured Glass
Satin Privacy glass can be provided on the sides or roof of a conservatory if privacy is an issue and you are overlooked by neighbours, or passing traffic. It is particularly useful when coupled with solar control glass, when used in the roof of a conservatory, if it is overlooked from upper windows.
You can choose glass in a variety of patterns and tints and can be etched with a sandblaster in different finishes. If single glazed, the patterned side of the glass needs to be on the inside of the conservatory so that dirt and grime can easily be removed from the flat outward facing side. In double–glazed units both the inside and outside can be flat, with the patterned side in the middle of the sandwich.
Curved Conservatory Glass
Curved 3D shaped glass is sometimes found in late-Victorian and Art Deco architecture. If you own a home from this period and wish your conservatory to harmonise with it, you may need to specify curved glass for some areas of the conservatory. This will be particularly important if you need to apply for Planning Permission for a Listed Building, or one in a Conservation Area, having this type of glass.
Curved glass can be made in laminated or toughened safety glass, in single as well as double–glazed units. It is also possible to have curved glass units in Heat Reflective Glass, but the tint may not be applied if you apply for Planning Permission for a period home. Curved glass is very expensive.