A beautiful set of windows from a grand Watertown home. The stairway window was resized and stabilized to fit a new opening. The entryway door panel was in rough shape. The daily opening and closing of the door has destabilized the entire window. Cracked glass was replaced and all the support bars we re-soldered and strengthened. Both of these key pieces of the home will continue to shine for many more years.
Marlborough Rondel Windows
Last summer, I got a call from a colleague — a painter’s ladder had fallen through a window. I had a lovely drive out to Marlborough. After meeting with the clients and understanding their desire to not have the windows brought back to my studio, I agreed to come back and restore them onsite. The main problem was finding rondels of the same diameter and clarity of the originals. That was when I learned they had a glass blower in town.
I met with Jordana at Hot Glass Art Center and brought along an original rondel. She assured me she could replicate them. I picked them up a few weeks later and they were perfect. And I mean perfect. It’s extremely difficult to replicate the transparency of glass. It’s always different. Glass that is mouth blown has the bubbles, swirls and streaks of the artist creating it. It’s almost a signature. It’s remarkable what Jordana was able to do.
I was able to repair the window on site and reinstall that day. Needless to say, it was a fantastic view.
Somerville Sister Windows
I was contacted by a client after 2014’s ice dams. Remember those? After having their home inspected for damage, the condition of the windows and sashes became apparent. A fairly normal combination of neglect and years of homeowner repair needed to be addressed. There were signs of serious deflection (when the window is bowing out or collapsing onto itself). But except for two sashes, it was all repairable. The work involved fabricating two new sashes to match the original wood and profiles. All the missing and cracked glass was replaced with nearly exact matches to the original glass. This can be one of the most time consuming parts of the job, finding the correct color and texture of the existing glass. Previously, painters had siliconed and painted over the border glass, completely obscuring these parts of the windows. All of this was removed. The windows were puttied, cleaned and re-glazed into newly painted sashes. They should be problem free for another 80 years or so.
When the sun is out, it shines through my rejuvenated stained glass window in such a brilliant way. The colors dance! What a difference your careful attention has made.
Belcher Mosaic Windows
This was an interesting project. A high Victorian in Newton, MA had some original mosaic windows made by Henry Belcher, some time between 1950-65 (we’re guessing.) Belcher constructed these by sandwiching tiny pieces of glass between layers of asbestos and then pouring lead over it to create a lead matrix. It was an experimental technique that ultimately proved to be problematic. When I went to see the windows, glass pieces were literally falling out of the sashes. Once the windows were back in my studio, they took 6 weeks just to flatten out. I was able to stabilize them but I needed to find a way to keep the glass from falling out again. After a lengthy consultation with the owner — whose desire to preserve the windows did not come with a limitless budget— we landed on a solution wherein I used clear, conservation grade sheets of laminate, adhered to the exterior of the window. It was a time-intensive approach that supported the window without sacrificing the view. More importantly, the windows are back in their rightful place and the client is thrilled.
Middle Street Restoration
An outdated and neglected home on Middle Street is being brought into the 21st century. It’s new owners are proving themselves to be stewards of preservation by retaining many of the home’s unique and historic details while updating others. The original stained glass windows were in need of repair. One major piece of one of the panels had been smashed some time ago and one piece was missing. Through a process known as Edge Gluing, I was able to mix powdered pigment into conservation grade silicone to infill the missing glass. The damage is hardly noticeable and the window has regained nearly all of its original glory.
It was a relief discovering someone of your talent and attention to detail to repair our stain glass windows.
As you know when it comes to something over a 100 years old you have to trust the individual doing the work will do a good job and maintain the historic integrity of the piece while at the same time doing everything in their power to preserve the windows for future generations. i feel fortunate to have stumbled onto you and was very pleased with the job you completed.
And to anyone out there considering Tom you will not find a more honest and talented craftsman, I highly recommend him.
— Richard M. Cyr & Lisa DeStefano
Colored Glass, Double Hung Windows
Some original multi-paned colored glass windows were in need of repair in a stately Brookline, MA home. Mostly, they just rattled a lot during storms and allowed cold air in. I simply removed the sashes, applied weatherstripping to each of the windows, and re-installed them. Just like that, no more rattling — and the owners will enjoy the beauty and quality of the home’s original windows for a long time.
Tom Driscoll is a dream. Creative, on time, on budget. A professional who knows and clearly loves what he does. He breathed new life into our 1880's Victorian stained glass windows on each level of our house. I didn't realize how much they were rattling until they didn't - even in a Nor-easter.
- A more than satisfied customer in Brookline
Rockingham Window
Clients from the Rockingham building in downtown Portsmouth contacted me about a common stairway window that was in need of repair. There was some significant deflection, but other than that, it was in decent condition. Understandably, some in the owner’s association were concerned about the cost and ongoing maintenance and were lobbying to just replace it with clear glass. I was able to convince them to repair the window and was able to do it for less than the clear window replacement. Needless to say, they’re happy they did.
We had Tom restore an old Copper Sulfite (stained glass type) large window for the condo complex we live in. He not only did a superb job but turnaround time was excellent. Great craftsmanship on doing this restoration at a fair and reasonable price. Would definitely recommend him and use his services again.
- Wayne and Robin Lehman
Newton Leaded Glass
Here's another set of windows I restored for a longtime client in Newton.
