Stained glass is one of the most beautiful types of glass you can find, which is especially true for most religious places that use it a lot. Unfortunately, this type tends to show some wear and tear after some time due to numerous circumstances, natural or otherwise. The good news is that you can use window film solutions to protect stained glass as one of the most effective and discreet ways to do it.
Whether you’re a clergy member responsible for church upkeep, an architect, or even just a consultant working on restoration projects for other places of worship, window film solutions are a great choice to keep stained glass safe and sound. In the next few minutes, we’ll explain why.
Stained glass needs protection
The main reason you’d want to use a window film solution is for its protection purposes. Glass as a material is fragile on its own, which means there are several challenges to keeping its stained version clean and new-looking:
- UV damage and fading. There’s no escaping the UV rays from the Sun or some artificial sources. Over time, this will cause colors to dull and the stained glass will end up looking bland..
- Heat stress. Similar to the UV rays, it’s hard to escape this particular scenario, more so if the place of worship is located in a sunny location. The heat stress will lead to cracks, warping, or weakened lead joints.
- Glare and interior discomfort. This can easily end up damaging the interior furnishings (from fading and discoloration to drying and warping) and potentially disrupt worshippers.
- Breakage and security risks. Unfortunately, glass is easily breakable, so it’s vulnerable to vandalism, accidents, or severe weather.
The window film solution can help protect stained glass windows from all of the above. And with stained glass in religious places having a deeper context (not the same as replacing a standard glass in your home), it requires a non-invasive and reversible solution - something a window film can help with.
Window film solutions for stained glass protection
We’ve reached the most important part of the article - the actual types of window films you can use to help with the above challenges. These are:
- UV protection films
As the name implies, this type of window film will help against the UV rays. Depending on the film, it can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays. In turn, this prevents fading of stained glass pigments and interior fabrics.
Additionally, UV protection films are nearly invisible, making them ideal for preserving the original appearance.
- Safety and security films
These are used to protect stained glass windows from shattering. They hold the fragments together in case of breakage, be it from vandalism, storms, or just plain accidents. Also, they meet the heritage building safety standards. Using safety film for historic buildings is a good starting point if you need one.
- Solar control films
Last but not least, the solar control films help reduce heat buildup that stresses stained glass and interior spaces. They also minimize glare for worshippers during services.
Another bonus is that this type of film contributes to energy efficiency while remaining discreet.
Why window film is ideal for heritage and religious buildings
Window film solutions to protect stained glass are a great all-around option, particularly useful for heritage and religious buildings. This is because they are non-invasive and easily applied to the glass surface without altering the structure.
More to the point, they are reversible and can be safely removed if conservation guidelines require it. Plus, window films maintain the original beauty of stained glass and are wallet-friendly compared to restoration or secondary glazing.
For instance, a cathedral can choose a clear solar adhesive film to protect centuries-old stained glass from UV rays without visible change.
Additionally, window films generally have long-lasting durability with warranties, requiring minimal maintenance, with gentle cleaning being sufficient the majority of the time.
Keep the stained glass clean and preserved
In the end, window films are an effective, discreet, and heritage-sensitive option to protect stained glass windows. They provide UV defense, safety reinforcement, solar control, and help preserve the sacred art.
As such, we’re more than happy to help you pick the right one, regardless if there’s a need for church window film solutions or UV protection for stained glass. Feel free to take a look at our selection of high-quality window films - we’re sure you’ll find something that suits your needs.