Shedding Light on Stained Glass Repair Costs [2025 Data]
Stained glass repair costs $298 on average, but the type of repair, location, and more influence the cost. Prices range from about $176 to $427.
Labor accounts for 50% to 75% or more of your total, as repairs require expertise and are often time-intensive.
Fixing small cracks and fading colors are the most affordable repairs, while reinforcing bar replacement is the most expensive and costs three to six times as much.
Replacing a stained glass window is often more affordable than restoration, but it may not be an option for antique pieces or heirlooms.
Keeping up with minor window repairs and stained glass maintenance is one of the best ways to avoid high repair costs over time.
Stained glass repair costs $298 on average, but costs can range between $176 and $427—or climb even higher if you have a particularly large repair. In extreme cases, the cost to repair stained glass can reach $797 but may also be as little as $65. Prices to repair your stained glass will vary depending on the window’s size, type of repair needed, and if a full or partial replacement is necessary. Full replacements may cost about $700 to $5,000 per panel.
Stained glass windows can give your home a sophisticated and historic feeling, bringing in lots of beautiful light with plenty of character. But, like most windows, stained glass windows will need occasional repairs—whether that’s thanks to stray baseballs, cold weather, or just general wear and tear.
Stained Glass Repair Cost Breakdown
Labor and materials are the two most significant cost factors when repairing a stained glass window.
Labor
Labor carries the bulk of stained glass window repair costs. Since stained glass repair requires expert craftsmanship, most contractors charge between $50 to $100 per hour.
Materials
Expect to pay around $100 to $210 for stained glass window repair materials. However, the cost will reflect the extent of the repair and the materials needed. Larger windows or repair jobs for multiple panels or windows will require more materials, driving up the cost.
Repair Type
Like with most window repair costs, what you’ll pay for stained glass repair will depend on the exact problem with the glass or window structure. Minor repairs, like a small crack from some cold weather, will cost about $100. Take a look at the cost of fixing different stained glass window problems:
| Repair Type | Cost Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Crack | $100 – $300 | $200 |
| Faded glass | $100 – $300 | $200 |
| Regrouting | $200 – $500 | $350 |
| Cement replacement | $200 – $500 | $350 |
| New window frame | $200 – $500 | $350 |
| Cleaning | $300 – $600 | $450 |
| Resoldering joints | $500 – $1,500 | $1,000 |
| Replacing reinforcing bars | $700 – $3,000 | $1,850 |
Location
Location is another significant factor in stained glass window costs, largely because labor and material rates vary depending on your local cost of living. Here’s a breakdown of what repairs may cost by state:
| State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $175 – $450 |
| Colorado | $100 – $310 |
| Georgia | $210 – $410 |
| Illinois | $100 – $300 |
| Kentucky | $300 – $400 |
| Minnesota | $100 – $250 |
| New York | $210 – $540 |
| Texas | $150 – $300 |
| Virginia | $100 – $150 |
| Washington | $400 – $450 |
Additional Costs to Consider
In addition to the type of repair or even your location, stained glass repair cost can also depend on other factors, like whether you’re fixing a crack in a glass lampshade versus a larger door or window or if you’ll be restoring historical glass in your Victorian home.
Item in Need of Repair
Stained glass repairs aren’t only limited to windows, as the panels on beloved lampshades or doors could also have cracks that need repairing. Here’s a cost breakdown for each item:
| Item | Cost Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lampshade | $200 – $400 | $300 |
| Window | $400 – $700 | $550 |
| Door | $700 – $1,000 | $850 |
Restoration
Stained glass restoration is an intricate process where a specialist attempts to fix the damage and return the panel to its original state. It’s a form of repair you might consider if you want to preserve, rather than replace, your stained glass windows.
The steps include:
Removing old debris and sealant
Installing new materials
Painting and repairing the glass
Restoring a 12-by-24-inch window panel costs around $1,500.
Replacement
Replacing a 12-by-24-inch stained glass window costs $700 and $1,200 per panel. More intricate designs will cost $2,000 to $3,000 per panel. If you also need to replace the frame, it will cost $350 to $500 for windows and almost $1,000 for door frames.
In general, for stained glass repair and replacement costs, budget more for more intricate designs. The more individual pieces of colored glass, the more labor and materials the repair will require. Working with smaller pieces of glass requires patience and precision, which means contractors may spend significantly more time repairing your stained glass window, door, or lampshade.
DIY Stained Glass Repair Costs
If you decide to try repairing a stained glass window yourself, it will cost about $100 to $210, or about $10 to $15 per square foot. This covers things like epoxy or resin for filling cracks, putty for weatherproofing a stained glass window, and stained glass paint for fixing faded or peeling paint.
While you can save about 70% of the cost to repair stained glass windows by DIYing, this work is best left to stained glass specialists. Even filling a crack or repainting a window pane requires a delicate touch. If you accidentally crack the window or drop it and it breaks completely, you could lose a priceless window. From there, you’re looking at spending $700 to $5,000 for a new panel—not to mention the grief you might feel about damaging a beautiful, historic stained glass window.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
While you may have a good set of DIY and art skills, working with stained glass is usually too lofty of a weekend project for non-specialists. Unless you have previous experience working with stained glass windows, it’s not a project that you should complete on your own. Doing it yourself can cause irreparable damage to the window, significantly increasing repair costs, and not to mention causing a lot of frustration. It’s best to find a stained glass repair specialist near you to help with any issues.
How to Save Money on Stained Glass Repair Costs
Repairing stained glass windows is a more suitable option than replacing the window entirely (unless that’s the only alternative). Repairing stained glass windows is a more wallet-friendly option, while replacing a window will cost between $700 and $3,000, depending on your window design.
By keeping a watchful eye over your windows, you can avoid heartbreaking damage and cut down on those costly repairs. Here are a few things you can do:
Schedule regular window maintenance
Clean your windows regularly
Don’t prolong repairs
Maintain window hardware
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should inspect your stained glass windows about once per year for any signs that they need repair. Some signs include cracking in the glass or frame, chips in the glass, discoloration or fading, flaking or peeling paint, or metal bars that are detaching from the glass or frame. While you should perform your own annual inspections, it may also be helpful to have a stained glass specialist inspect your windows about every five years.
The simplest way to clean stained glass windows is by using warm distilled water and a damp cloth. Distilled water won’t corrode the stained glass or leave residue behind. Avoid using cleaners with alcohol or ammonia. However, you should only clean when necessary. Stained glass windows are fragile, and excessive cleaning could cause fading, weakening of the solder, or other damage.
Some stained glass window pieces could have significant value depending on their artistic and historical impact. Stained glass windows dating back to the 1800s or early 1900s may be worth $2,000 to over $150,000, particularly for prestigious brands like Tiffany. But most stained glass used in residential settings will not have exponential value, particularly if the stained glass is a more modern reproduction of classic styles.
The length of repairs will depend on the size of the window, type of art, and specialist expertise. Because stained glass windows are often large, heavy, and fragile, they require a lot of extra time and care to fix the problem without breaking the glass. However, repairs could take a few hours to one day for most projects. Larger projects, like major restorations, could take months.
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