What is a Window Guard?

A window guard is a protective measure put in place to prevent any destruction, damage or vandalism that could occur to a stained glass window or leaded light. The older a window is, the more susceptible it is to breaking due to age and changes in glass-making and glazing over the years.

Older windows such as historical stained glass windows found in churches and old buildings are particularly vulnerable as they are in a public space and service a large number of people day-in-day-out, hence the need for window guards. With stained glass in Britain dating all the way back to 675 it is imperative that we preserve this beautiful and visual part of our history.

There are several different types of window guards that can be used to protect the glazing of a building, the most popular of which are wire mesh guards. These guards are normally powder coated black but can be any colour, and generally protect the window from any large-scale damage.

The second most popular window guard is made from UV-stabilised Polycarbonate. Although this type of window guard forms an impenetrable barrier it is often considered unsightly.

Toughened glass and Isothermic glazing are two other types of window guard protection that provide greater protection against stained glass corrosion and other kinds of natural or weather damage.

Did You Know: Stained glass church windows suffer the majority of their cracked and broken glass from stones being flipped up by grass cutting around the church. Often insurers will not allow any claims for broken, cracked or damaged stained glass unless they have some form of Guard/Window Protection.

If you are looking to protect a priceless or historic stained glass window with a window guard, get in touch with the stained glass specialists at Sherriff Stained Glass Specialists. Our team of highly trained experts have decades of experience in the protection and restoration of leaded lights and other unique windows. For more information why not give us a call on 01202 882 208 or email us at info@lead-windows.co.uk.