All around the country we see these devastating images of the damage caused by mother nature. And think, for a moment, about what would happen to your own building if it was flattened tomorrow by forces unforeseen. Do you really, truly, have a record of what is inside so that it can perhaps be recreated?
As an owner or caretaker of stained glass windows, one of the most perplexing issues which often faces a congregation is: How do you put a value on your stained glass windows, and in turn, how do you maintain, repair, and restore them based on that perceived value? How often do you need to revisit these values for insurance and maintenance? While this is unique to every installation, there are some general guidelines anyone can reference to begin exploring these issues.
The deliberation in regards to the value of your windows itself can often serve as a guide in deciding how to approach the conservation of your stained-glass windows. Like many aspects of our community structures, we get from it what we put into it. The better you know your building's history and its provenance within your specific community, the better you can build a story that will add value to your windows. And the benefit of all of this window research and building research and community history is that you will build a library of material that you can use to fundraise and otherwise care for your windows. There are some basic guidelines below on the many considerations that go into determining the value of a window or collection of windows.
After value, the question we're most often trying to answer at the office is "How do we take some basic field notes on our windows so that if something catastrophic happens, we have a better starting place than a fuzzy wedding photo background?"
A short-list of Documentation Guidelines
- Contact a building inspector and fire marshal to review the strengths and weaknesses of your structure, and to make recommendations for disaster-proofing it. The fire marshal may be able to give recommendations for access and egress in event of fire; how to position the most sacred objects for sudden removal, hopefully without endangering anyone; how to make some items more fire-resistant; and whether fire-rated storage is appropriate.
- Hire a professional consultant to document and assess your stained glass/art glass windows. They will know how to properly take the images, measurements, and other data needed for an accurate record. They will also be able to give an estimate for what it would take to replace stained/art glass windows, based on current values. This will be invaluable in event of horrific damage or absolute catastrophe – not only to restorers, but also to insurance adjusters. It also creates a precious archive of knowledge about a significant part of the worship environment for future building stewards. [This same approach would serve most interior elements as well.]
- Keep your building in good condition. Keep up with maintenance as it comes due – it’s cheap insurance.
- Have a disaster-preparedness plan for the structure and its contents. Make several copies that are accessible from several sites, and run practice drills yearly.
Hire a professional to document, assess, and update insurance values
Hire a professional consultant to document and assess your stained glass/art glass windows. They will not only know how to properly photograph and document, they can also provide up-to-date information on replacement values that is crucial in ensuring that your windows are insured for enough money should something catastrophic occur.
A stained glass expert can look for signatures and unique aspects of the window's construction that may have an impact on other historic values of the window.
Another value of having your stained glass windows properly photographed and documented is that those assets can be an invaluable resource in fundraising efforts to cover the costs of basic maintenance and eventual restoration projects of your windows.
The Many Considerations of Value
Here are the layers of value that you can discuss and research and deploy in the care and maintenance of your windows:
Monetary Value: This is how much the windows are worth if you sold them to another party. Unfortunately, this can be very difficult to determine. Market value depends upon whether there is a market for your windows. Some of the finest windows in existence are too large or difficult to display if removed from their original setting. In fact, smaller stained glass windows tend to have a broader market due to their relative portability/usability. Having your windows appraised may be of some help, especially if they have additional “antiquity” value. However, the adage “they’re worth only as much as someone is willing to pay” holds especially true for stained glass.
Replacement Value: This is the most up-to-date cost of recreating the windows using currently available materials. When you get it on the workbench, what it the most current, technical cost of recreating the window. This is usually the number insurance companies are looking for. What are the materials used to rebuild the windows exactly? Will zincs or coppers need to be special ordered? Are there multiple layers to the windows?
Historic or Cultural Value comes into play when stained glass windows have historic and cultural significance. Some factors that may increase a stained-glass window’s history or cultural value may be rarity/uniqueness, or irreplaceability of your window. Also, other factors such as a famous artist/designer or well-known donor or memorial can increase the value of your stained glass. The location of the window can also have an effect on value if the window is located in a culturally or historically important building or area. A window’s historic and cultural significance may be well known and documented or may require further research. Either way, an awareness of your windows’ historic or cultural value is important in guiding your decisions regarding their maintenance and restoration.
Artistic/Decorative Value is very subjective. Sometimes it is obvious that a stained-glass window was created by an amazingly talented artist. On the other hand, some windows were poorly designed and executed by unknown craftsmen. For everything in between, it is a matter of opinion and taste. Perhaps even more difficult in determining value is when the window itself is of high artistic quality but its style does not complement the architectural style of its setting or surroundings. One of the main purposes for incorporating stained glass windows in a building project is to enhance the beauty of the space within, and when successful, the result is truly amazing. However, poor planning and inferior artistic execution can adversely affect a building’s aesthetic appeal.
Spiritual Value may be of utmost importance for stained glass windows installed in churches and other houses of worship. Stained glass windows can transform a building’s interior into an ethereal space conductive to prayer and reflection. The windows themselves often tell stories through their depictions of people and events. A great many windows were commissioned and built as memorials to loved ones. Those who spend the most time with them , truly derive the most value from them.