Leaded Glass Windows vs Plain Windows

If you live in a period home or are considering purchasing a period property, it may have leaded glass windows.

Sometimes known as ‘leadlights’, leaded windows have been a feature of homes and important buildings for thousands of years. The oldest examples date back to the Byzantine and Roman eras.

Closer to home, windows with leaded glass were popular in British homes in the 16th and early 17th centuries. The arrival of the sash window saw them fall out of favour in the late 17th Century, but the Gothic revival ushered them back in in the late 19th Century. The intricate patterns and designs are still desirable for many homeowners.

Leaded glass windows are often featured in front doors, property entrances and hallways, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

But what if the windows are no longer fit for purpose? Equally, you may be trying to restore a period home to its former glory and need advice on which windows best suit the property.

At Manchester Window Factory, our skilled team of certified glazers have more than 25 years of experience in dealing with a variety of windows and doors, including those featuring leaded glass.

In this blog, we’ll explain more about leaded glass windows versus plain counterparts and outline the costs, benefits and potential drawbacks of each. 

What are leaded glass windows? 

Leaded glass windows are windows created using small panels of glass (quarries) to create a pattern or design and form the window. The small pieces of glass are joined with iron or lead bars (called cames), hence the name. 

What are stained glass windows? 

Stained glass windows feature coloured segments of glass to create a picture or pattern. They are often an example of leaded glass as the same lead cames are frequently used to connect the coloured segments.

Can leaded windows be double-glazed?

Yes, today’s leaded windows are inspired by the leaded windows of old but are made to modern specifications. Advances include double or triple glazing, enhanced security, thermal efficiency and easy maintenance. 

In some modern leaded windows, the small section design is created by painting the lead dividers on top of the glass to give the appearance of small panes joined together. 

Choices: plain windows or leaded windows

The choice of plain windows versus leaded windows is primarily one of taste and preference. However, there are pros and cons to both types of windows, particularly when we are looking at original leaded windows rather than their modern equivalent. 

Pros of plain windows

• Less expensive than leaded windows
• Simple designs are more versatile
• Unlikely to put off potential buyers 
• Offer better insulation
• Double or triple glazed
• Harder to break for better safety and security
• Offer better temperature control
• Better noise reduction
• Easier to laminate or coat

Cons of plain windows

• Lack character
• Difficult to individualise 
• May look out of place in a period property
• Could reduce the value of a period home

Pros of leaded windows

• Beautiful intricate designs
• Suits heritage or period properties
• Can bring a touch of old-world elegance to a newer build
• Can add value to your property 
• Offer more privacy than most plain windows 

Cons of leaded windows

• More expensive
• Poor thermal insulation
• Tend to be drafty 
• Low energy efficiency 
• Difficult to maintain and replace if broken
• Often single glazed
• Offer very little noise reduction 
• Easy to break
• New owners may not like the design

Many drawbacks of traditional leaded windows have been reduced or eliminated by modern techniques recreating the original styles. 

At Manchester Window Factory, our highly-skilled team includes a leaded glass specialist who uses their considerable experience and traditional techniques to create beautiful double and even triple-glazed leaded window designs with all the advantages of modern windows. 

uPVC Leaded Glass Windows 

Our uPVC leaded glass windows are tailored to your specifications by our specialist glazer. You can choose the number of segments and the shapes. From classic squares and traditional diamonds to something more individual, there is something for everyone.

As with our uPVC doors, our uPVC windows are energy-efficient, secure, long-lasting and low maintenance. Every window we produce meets British security standards, with a choice of hardware and security systems.  

All our uPVC windows are available in double or triple-glazed. You can also choose from 12 stunning colours and finishes, including grey, white, and traditional wood effects.

Whether you add colour to the glazing or let the design do the talking, these stunning bespoke windows are one way to stamp your personality on your home. 

Other Types of Leaded Windows 

Don’t worry if you aren’t keen on uPVC, our leaded glass windows can also have a timber or aluminium frame. 

Aluminium leaded windows

If you’re eco-conscious, our aluminium leaded windows could be ideal. Often made from 100% recycled materials, our aluminium frames are long-lasting, strong, low-maintenance and can be recycled again when the time comes to replace them.  

You can choose from bright white, contemporary grey or classic black. 

Timber-frame leaded windows

Looking for a more traditional option? Our timber-framed windows combine modern security with an authentic style. Unlike traditional timber frames, ours are laminated to make them more resilient, stronger, and more durable. Weather and draft-resilient seals increase the insulation and energy efficiency. 

Choose from a range of colours and stain finishes to complete the look. 

What can you do with old leaded windows?

Depending on the quality and condition of your existing leaded windows, you have three options.

Leave them as they are – If your leaded windows are well constructed and fitted and you aren’t losing heat or suffering from noise pollution, you are perfectly entitled to leave well alone for another couple of years. 

You may find that all UK single-glazed windows will eventually need to be upgraded to double-glazing as part of the Government’s energy-efficiency plans, but that is not yet the case. 

However, it is unlikely that you wouldn’t see some benefits if you improved the glazing. 

Add secondary glazing – installing secondary glazing is a popular solution when you need to improve the insulation of your windows but don’t want to compromise the integrity of the original leaded windows. 

Secondary glazing is the addition of a secondary pane of glass to create an extra barrier between noise pollution and improve insulation and heat loss. 

You can maintain the original appearance of the leaded window with a fixed insert, which requires very little space or a lift-out window if you do not need to access the window, such as a high decorative window. 

Other types of secondary glazing include horizontal sliders and hinged casements. You can also opt for bespoke secondary glazing, the best choice for unique leaded window designs. 

Replace them with new leaded or plain windows – Perhaps you like the idea of leaded windows, and they suit the property, but the original design is not to your taste. 

Don’t worry. At Manchester Window Factory, we let you choose a bespoke design which is then created using traditional techniques within a high-quality modern window. 

You can also replace your leaded windows with plain windows, the choice is yours!

If you are replacing your old leaded windows with new ones, you will need to factor removal and disposal into your costs.

Are leaded windows expensive to replace?

If you are considering upgrading your leaded windows one of your first questions might be ‘how much do leaded glass windows cost to replace?

Several factors will determine the cost of replacing your existing windows.

1. How many windows you are replacing
2. The size and style of the windows
3. What you are replacing them with – plain or leaded? double or triple-glazed? 
4. How accessible they are
5. Your location – labour costs can vary significantly

Our modern leaded glass windows are affordable and offer all of the beauty of traditional leaded windows with all the conveniences and benefits of contemporary windows.

We hope that this blog has given you a greater insight into leaded glass windows and your options for preserving and replacing them.