How we make
stained glass

Every panel we make is drawn, cut, leaded and soldered by hand — the same way period glass has been made for well over a century. Here’s how a panel goes from a drawing to your front door.

See our stained glass front doors →

Stained glass panel design drawn up on a laptop before it is made by hand

Step 01

Drawing the design

We start by producing a drawing of the panel. This usually starts with a sketch, which is then converted into a digital illustration, sometimes called a cartoon. It sets out every piece of glass and every lead line, to the exact size.

Coloured and textured glass samples chosen for a stained glass front door panel

Step 02

Choosing the glass

We pick coloured, textured and clear glass to suit your house and the light in your hallway. Textured glass adds privacy without losing the colour.

Cutting a piece of coloured glass by hand over the full-size stained glass drawing

Step 03

Cutting by hand

Each piece is scored and broken by hand over the drawing, then trimmed until it sits exactly on its line.

Stained glass panel being leaded up with lead came and held with nails on the bench

Step 04

Leading up

The pieces are fitted together with lead came, working across the panel from one corner and held in place with nails as it grows.

Soldering the lead joints of a hand-leaded stained glass panel

Step 05

Soldering and cementing

Every joint where the leads meet is soldered on both sides. The panel is then cemented to make it firm and weatherproof, cleaned and checked against the drawing.

Finished leaded stained glass panel for a front door in the Morton Doors workshop

Step 06

Glazing your door

Once the cement is dry, we encapsulate the panel in either a double or triple glazed unit. Then it’s glazed into your door before it leaves the workshop.