YGT Pioneers Ground-Breaking New Conservation Material in Britain

The York Glaziers Trust have used a revolutionary new UV-resistant glass at York Minster, to protect the Great East Window. York Minster will be the first building in the UK to use this pioneering new material to protect its ancient stained glass. Previous protective glazing has acted as a weather shield and kept glass, lead and conservation materials dry, but has not been an adequate barrier to ultra violet radiation. This radiation impacts on any epoxy resin used in the conservation of the stained glass and leads to a yellowing discolouration of that resin after prolonged exposure. 

Earlier forms of UV-resistant glass have relied on a UV-resistant foil sandwiched between sheets of laminated glass. Over a matter of just one or two decades, this foil degrades. However, in the case of the newly developed Restauro UV Glass, the UV resistance is an integral part of the glass itself, and cannot degrade. The product has been invented by Glasshuette Lamberts of Germany, the world-leading producers of mouth blown antique glasses. This is therefore a long-term and cutting-edge investment in the protection of the Minster's precious glass and conservation materials.