Glazing & Glass Install

Sparkling clean glass free of all the gunk that has built up over the years is a big part of making your windows really sparkle. Remove any haze or deposits on the glass before reinstalling them in the sash with the steps below.

For stubborn haze and deposits, you can use a rubbing compound designed for glass called CR Laurence Sparkle This is applied just like waxing a car and does a great job at removing stubborn haze.

Action Steps

1. On a flat surface, lay down a blanket and spray some water on the glass. Wet scrape the glass with a flat razor blade on both sides to remove all residue.
2. Clean glass with glass cleaner and clean rag or paper towel.
3. For hazy glass that doesn't quite come clean, use CR Laurence Sparkle. Buff on with a clean, damp rag, let dry then buff off with a new clean, dry rag.
4. Label individual panes of glass if labels are cleaned off.

Replacement Glass

What do you do if you have broken glass? You can find replacement glass at most hardware stores or any local glass supplier. Use either single strength (3/32”) or, better yet, double strength (1/8”) glass in your old windows.

You can cut your own glass using the skills in the course or simply measure the opening size and have the store cut it for you if you’re not comfortable. Whatever size the opening is, make sure your glass has about 1/16” gap on all sides so it fits without too much pressure, or else you may end up with another broken piece of glass.

Bedding the Glass

Bedding the glass refers to installing the glass back into the sash in a bed of putty. This helps air seal the glass and prevents water from getting behind the glass as well.

Any of the glazing points we talked about earlier can be used to set your glass in place. Just make sure they are firmly in place and the glass is where you want it to be before setting your points.

Make sure the glass is evenly set into the puttied glazing rabbet and you only leave a thin film of putty on the interior side of the glass.

Action Steps

1. Dry fit glass into sash to determine the correct orientation. Trim glass if needed.
2. Bed a small amount of Austin's Glazier's Putty (or similar) putty in glazing rabbets and gently press glass into bedding.
3. Use a point driver or putty knife to insert at least one glazing point into each side of glass and an additional point every 12". (Be sure to set points far enough back so that it lays behind the glazing rabbet.)
4. Remove excess putty from inside of sash and tool interior putty flush and smooth with profile.

Finish Glazing

Glazing is the big finish to all of the work you’ve been doing. Work the putty until you are satisfied with the results. A well glazed window should have clean straight lines of putty and none of it should be visible to occupants from the inside.

Properly installed glazing putty should be installed to a 45° angle to allow it to shed water effectively with mitered corners. I won’t lie that this can take some practice to get just right. But, perfectly glazed windows are not necessary for the putty to do its work.

When you first get your putty out, mix it thoroughly to ensure the oils are spread throughout the whole batch of putty. If the putty is cold, you can knead it a bit to help it gain some workability.

Action Steps

1. Place putty into glazing rabbet.
2. Pack putty firmly in the glazing rabbet and glass junction to get a good seal. 
3. Using a putty knife, tool finish glazing at a 45° angle to smooth finish with clean mitered corners. Remove excess putty.
4. Using an old paint brush, apply whiting to inside and outside of glass. Work in thoroughly to remove oil spots from glass being careful not to disturb putty. Blow off remaining whiting.