Historic homes are very special in their own way. They have a presence—a sense of history and craftsmanship that many new homes don’t have. Many of these historic homes are still standing proudly in Edmonton’s older neighbourhoods, such as Glenora, Westmount, and Old Strathcona. The glass in their windows is one of their most charming and least noticed features.
If you look closely, you might see that the glass isn’t completely smooth. When the sun hits it just right, it might ripple a little or shine. It’s called period glass, and it makes older homes look beautiful and real.
We at Perma Seal Windows and Doors are experts at restoring historic windows, and that means more than just fixing the wood frames. It is just as important to keep the heritage character of your home by restoring or copying the original types of glass, such as crown glass or cylinder glass.
Let’s look into what period glass is, the different kinds, and why it’s more important than you might think to use the right kind.
What Is Period Glass?
Before modern manufacturing took over in the middle of the 20th century, period glass was made using traditional methods. Older glass has natural distortions, like waves, bubbles, or warps, that are caused by the way it was made by hand or with machines that were available at the time. Today’s glass is perfectly smooth and without the character of the beautiful waviness that comes with period glass.
Why Period Glass Is Important for Restoring Old Windows?
When you restore an old house, you’re not just making it look better; you’re also keeping a piece of history alive. There is meaning in every window, door, and trim. It may look clean to replace old glass with new glass, but it can take away the home’s original character.
This is why it’s important to pick the right period glass:
1. It makes the house look real.
You might not be able to put your finger on why, but a heritage home with modern float glass often looks “off.” That’s because the way period glass catches light shows the age and style of the building. It keeps the charm that makes historic homes so special.
2. It makes it easier to respect heritage rules.
Many Edmonton neighbourhoods are designated heritage sites. If your home is in one of these areas, the city may demand that any improvements be made in accordance with specific guidelines. For example, the new windows and glass should match the existing ones. At Perma Seal, we work with homeowners to ensure that your restoration satisfies local standards while still honouring the building’s history.
3. It safeguards historical and cultural values.
Each piece of antique glass was hand-made by people or early machines. Keeping or duplicating these materials preserves traditional workmanship while also honouring previous builders and people.
Types of Period Glass
Not all old glass is the same. The type of historical glass required depends on when your home was built. These are the most prevalent types we see in older homes in Edmonton:
1. Crown Glass
To make it, blow heated glass into a bubble, spin it into a flat disc, and then cut it into panes. The method produced spherical ripples with a “bullseye” in the centre. Look for swirling circles, tiny distortions, and defects in the core. Also found in Georgian-style or early colonial residences.
2. Cylinder glass
Glassblowers created long cylinders, which were subsequently chopped and flattened into sheets. This method resulted in less distortion than crown glass, but it still produced lovely waves. Search for little air bubbles, light bending, and vertical ripples. Also found in Victorian and Edwardian residences across Edmonton.
3. Drawn glass
As machines improved, drawn glass became more uniform. It was still slightly uneven, but far flatter than varieties blown by hand. Look for light waviness and a smoother surface than cylinder glass. Also found in residences built before World War II, buildings from the middle of the twentieth century.
4. Float Glass
Float glass, created in the 1950s, is utilised in the majority of modern homes. This type of glass is perfectly flat and has no distortions. It has excellent polish because molten glass floats on top of molten tin. Look for panes that are completely clear and even. Best for modern homes, but not as good for older ones.
Float glass does not have the same appearance as traditional glass. Using float glass to restore heritage windows may make an old property appear too “new.” That is why Perma Seal Windows and Doors recommends using glass appropriate for the time period whenever possible. However, float glass can be valuable behind the scenes, such as in storm windows that conserve energy and are installed alongside repaired antique sashes.
5. Privacy Glass
Some homeowners want to know if they may maintain the historic appearance of their property while also installing privacy glass to the bathrooms or bedrooms. There are numerous textures and patterns for privacy glass, including frosted, reeded, and sandblasted treatments. It is not typical in heritage homes, but it can be properly selected to blend in.
At Perma Seal, we can assist you in selecting a style of privacy glass that maintains the appearance of your home while providing the privacy and light control you require, particularly in areas where the original windows are not visible from the street.
Where Can We Find Period Glass?
There are several ways to get period glass for your restoration project:
Salvaged glass
Real salvaged panes can be found in old homes that are being demolished. We thoroughly inspect these to ensure their quality and reuse them whenever possible.
Reproduction glass
Modern manufacturers can produce crown or cylinder glass using traditional methods. These copies look and feel exactly like the original, making them ideal for replacements.
Restoration Inserts
We can combine reproduction glass with custom storm inserts or discreet glazing solutions to achieve a period look while also providing good thermal performance.
We at Perma Seal Windows and Doors will always give you the best advice on what type of glass to use, taking into account how realistic it appears, how comfortable it is, and how useful it is.
How can Perma Seal fix old windows with period glass?
It takes a lot of effort and attention to detail to fix an old window. If you operate with Perma Seal, you can expect the following:
Take a look at the webpage.
We come to your house and look at your windows to see what kind of historic glass you have and how well it is holding up.
Removing glass safely and saving it
During frame restoration, we gently take out the glass if it can be kept. We employ salvaged or reproduction items to replace anything that is broken or missing.
Repairing a wooden frame.
Our crew either fixes or replicates new sashes and muntins that look just like the old ones.
Finishing and glazing
We put in new or genuine period glass, seal it with traditional putty, and finish the woodwork so that it matches the character of your home.
How Perma Seal Really Helps Restore Old Windows?
We do more than just fix windows at Perma Seal; we also help keep history alive. We take pride in our work as vintage home repairmen because it’s more than just a job for us. Our staff brings a lot of knowledge to each project, such as traditional woodworking, heritage compliance, and Edmonton’s unique architectural history.
We treat every renovation with the care it deserves, whether it’s a simple house in Westmount or a grand character home in Old Strathcona.
Here’s why people trust Perma Seal Windows and Doors to restore real history:
We know a lot about Edmonton’s historic homes, from Craftsman to Edwardian styles. We also know the laws that govern them.
- Knowledgeable about finding and buying original vintage glass. We can help you choose the right materials to stay true to the original, whether it’s cylinder glass, crown glass, float glass, or privacy glass.
- Precision replica woodwork: We carefully match the profiles of the mouldings and the details in the wood so that the new pieces look like they belong with the old ones.
- Modern comfort when it’s right—We can make small changes to make things more energy-efficient while keeping them original.
- A polite and considerate attitude— We take the time to learn about your home’s needs because every home is different. We always put attention, detail, and craftsmanship first.
In conclusion
Glass is not only a method to view outside, but also a way to see the past. If you want to conserve the unique character of your property, keep the craftsmanship, and follow historical rules, you need to choose the right period glass for your historic window restoration operation.
At Perma Seal Windows & Doors, we believe that restoration is more than just getting something to “work again.” It’s about doing things right, paying attention to the details, respecting history, and providing high-quality work.
Need help with the windows?
Perma Seal can help you with anything from acquiring new glass for your windows to mending the whole sash to making them use less energy. We can help you with every step of restoring your ancient windows. This way, you may look back on your home’s past and look ahead to its future.
To learn more or book a Free Consultation, go to permasealwindows.com.
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