Bespoke lead work ideas for your home

These days, when we think of lead, most of us automatically think of roofing. Lead is still widely used to create roofs, especially elements such as flashing and gutters. However, many people do not realise that lead also has a wide variety of decorative uses, which are ideal for creating stunning focal points to enhance your home.

Here are some of the reasons why lead makes such an effective decorative material, and ways in which you can use lead to give your home a completely unique look.

Reasons to use lead for your decorative work

Lead is a highly versatile material. It is extremely malleable, so it can be moulded into practically any shape, which makes it ideal for decorative work.

Lead also ages very well. It is resistant to corrosion, so even when exposed to the elements constantly, lead work on the exterior of your house can last for up to 100 years. This is up to three times longer than other materials, so lead is often used in the restoration of period buildings and to make alterations to protected buildings, as it is important to disturb these structures as infrequently as possible.

In addition, lead is not as bad for the environment as you might think. Most of the lead used on buildings these days is recycled, giving it a new purpose and reducing waste, as well as vastly cutting down on the chemicals used in lead production.

Ways to use lead in your home

Lead can be used in a wide variety of ways to make your home more visually appealing. Its popular uses today include:

  1. Windows

Lead work can be used to create completely bespoke window designs. These can be as simple as the diamond patterns seen on some bay windows, right through to extremely complex stained-glass projects.

A window featuring lead patterning is a beautiful addition to any home, giving your property a completely unique look and adding a standout design feature which will instantly improve the kerb appeal of your property. Whether you choose plain glass, frosted glass or stained glass, it is possible to create the perfect feature window in either a contemporary or traditional style, to complement the architectural style of your home and add significant visual interest.

  1. Scalloping

Scalloping is the curved patterning sometimes seen along the front edges of roofs. Lead is the perfect material for creating this detailing, and it will add interest to the exterior of your home. It also gives your property a unique look, making it stand out from other homes in your area.

Scalloping is a look which was particularly popular on period properties, so with clever lead work, these features can easily be restored to their former glory.

  1. Domes

A dome is an ideal way of letting more light into a dark building through the roof. These features were very popular in Victorian times, but a dome can also look stunning on a more contemporary property.

Due to its flexibility and durability, lead is the ideal material for use in creating the structure of the dome before the glass is put in place.

  1. Lanterns

If you want to give your home a more period feel, hanging lanterns beside the front door is a great way to achieve this. Traditionally, these lanterns were made from lead, and this is a practice which still continues to this day.

A lead lantern has an authentic feel which more modern materials simply can’t match, and it will be a fascinating addition to your property.

  1. Other decorative detailing

Lead is such a versatile material that there are practically endless ways you can use it to enhance the appearance of the exterior of your home. Whether you want gargoyles peering down at your visitors, rosettes added to your pipework or any number of other bespoke features, lead is the ideal choice, as long as it is being handled by experienced professionals.

If you would like more information about bespoke lead work for your home, please contact us.

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