Julia Morgan Windows

Residential Conservation

Materials: Amber colored glass from original windows, 7/16”, 9/16” flat lead came, 50/50 lead tin solder, 3/8” cold-rolled rebar, linseed oil putty.

These residential windows from a Julia Morgan residential household were preserved using the original hand-cut amber glass and new lead with the same came profile. One window was constructed with 7/16" flat lead in the field and 9/16" flat lead border. The other was constructed with 9/16" flat lead came in the field and border.

The glass had been altered in color by UV exposure which was apparent once the panels were dismantled (the original color was visible under the lead flanges). After the leading was complete, a subtle improvement was made by masking off where the came interfaced to have uniform solder joints. The panels were then soldered and puttied by hand. We added a longer 3/8” cold-rolled flat rebar horizontally on the interior side of each panel to anchor them into the frames. The original ones were too short and didn’t connect to the framework. The panels were then fit back into their hinged frames in the studio. Finally, each panel underwent a final clean and polishing before installation at the client's residence.