Stained Glass Lanterns Handcrafted in England
Creating beautiful stained and leaded glass lanterns requires time, skill and dedication. This article will explain in detail the complete process, showing the traditional skills and work involved in creating our range of stunning leaded outdoor lanterns. Each stained-glass lantern is handmade in Britain by time-served skilled craftspeople using the finest materials.
Glass Selection And Cutting Comes First
Every design in our range conforms to a different pattern. Every piece of glass used in the shade is hand cut until all the pieces are ready to be joined together. Once cut, the edges are deburred and the glass is scrupulously cleaned, ready for the next stage in the crafting process.
Creating the shade
‘H’ profile channels called ‘Cames’ form the shade. Each piece of glass is held in the came and is joined to the next using a very hot soldering iron and solder. The solder joins each piece together until the shade is created. This traditional soldering method has been used for centuries, as it creates a strong, permanent bond between the glass pieces. Once the shade body has been crafted, the roof is added. Each roof in our collection features a sold brass flashing at the top to prevent water ingress and maintain the fittings IP rating.
Wiring and Support Brackets
The stained-glass lantern is now ready for wiring and bracket attachment. All lanterns in our leaded glass collection feature solid brass lamp holders, and it is at this stage that they are fixed in place and the necessary wiring added.
Our lantern designs are all available as wall mounted, pedestal mounted or chain lanterns. The wall and pedestal mounts are manufactured in England from black powder coated cast aluminium and feature galvanised wall plates and wiring enclosures. The chain lanterns are suspended using solid brass chains.
Advantages
The main advantages of leaded glass lanterns are their appearance and durability. When light shines through stained-glass, it is transformed from something inert into a beautiful and colourful display. Our lanterns are crafted to last a lifetime.
Leaded glass can be traced back to the Middle Ages, so it has withstood the test of time and all weathers. If a glass piece gets broken, it can be replaced without having to replace the entire window. And the lead can easily be cleaned and polished to restore its original shine should it get tarnished.
I have some of our leaded lanterns installed at my own home that have been in place for ten years now. I’m ashamed to say that during this time, they have never been cleaned. They are corrosion free and still provide a stunning nighttime display. The picture below shows the Chepstow multi-coloured leaded lantern on my back wall.
Disadvantages
Glass is susceptible to breakages, and the lantern body can be bent out of shape if struck with a ball. Whilst the body can easily be straightened and the glass replaced, it’s far easier to ensure that they are installed in areas where this is unlikely to happen. Try to avoid areas where children play ball games or in areas of high activity to minimise risk.
Are Leaded Glass Lanterns safe To Use Outdoors
Yes, all of our wall mounted, pedestal mounted and chain lanterns are rated IP43. This rating provides protection from objects entering the light fitting and protection from rain and sprayed low pressure water.
Why Not Have A Look At Our Stunning Collection
Why not browse our comprehensive collection of handmade leaded glass outdoor lanterns and find your perfect light?