Broken Glass Repair

Do you have a broken glass window in your wooden frame? Don't worry, I'm going to show you how to fix it like a boss. Glazing windows is the process of sealing the glass pane within the window frame using a putty or caulk to keep out air and water. It is an important task that helps to maintain the energy efficiency of your home and protect against drafts, moisture, and weather damage. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to glaze windows effectively and efficiently.

First, you're going to need to gather your supplies to do the job properly.

Materials you need to glaze a window

You will need the following supplies to glaze a window:

• A new piece of glass that is the same size as the old glass
• Glazing compound
• Glazier points
• multi tool (optional)
• A putty knife
• A utility knife
• sand paper
• wet cloth
• paint brush (optional)
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

The Process of Removing Glass and Reglazing

The most difficult when glazing a window begins with removing any old glazing material that may be present. Using a paint scraper, carefully remove any old putty or caulk from around the windowpane. Be careful not to damage the window frame or the glass while doing this. If there are any old glazing points present, remove them as well.

Step by Step

Step 1: Remove the old glazing

The first step in glazing a window is to remove any old glazing material that may be present. Using a paint scraper, carefully remove any old putty or caulk from around the window pane. Be careful not to damage the window frame or the glass while doing this. If there are any old glazing points present, remove them as well.

Tips: When removing the old glazing we have found that a brand-new razor blade inside of a razor knife is the most effective when trying to remove the old glazing. If the original window already has broken glass you can ignore the part about not trying to damage the glass. If the window glazing isn't old and cracked you may have an easier time using a multi-tool with a metal/wood blade that has super fine teeth. Be careful not to cut into the frame, anything above the top reveal line will be visible after the glazing has been properly applied.

Step 2: Clean the window

After removing the old glazing material, clean the window thoroughly with a glass cleaner and a damp cloth. This will help to remove any dirt, debris, or old glazing material that may be left on the window.

Tips: If you are replacing the glass once you have cleaned out all of the old glazing material, carefully remove the existing glass. Using a putty knife or razor you'll want to clean the frame as thoroughly as possible. Otherwise, you will have issues getting the new piece of plate glass into place. Run a small bead of caulk along the inside of inner portion of the window frame to help seal the glass once it gets set into place.

Step 3: Apply Caulk

For a new piece of glass you will want to run a small bead of caulk around the wooden frame the plate glass sits in. This will help set the glass in place and seal the window.

Step 4: Insert the glass into the frame.

Once you have applied the caulk or glaze compound, you can insert the new glass into the frame. Press the glass down firmly so that it is in good contact with the glazing compound or caulk.

Step 5: Apply glazing putty

Next, apply the glazing putty to the window frame using a putty knife. If you are using glazing putty, roll a small amount of it into a ball and then flatten it out into a thin strip. Apply the putty to the window frame in a continuous bead, pressing it firmly into place with the putty knife.

Tips: Glazing putty works 10x better than glazing in a caulk tube. Make sure your thoroughly knead the glazing putty in your hands like dough, until it has a Plato like consistency. The application of the glazing putty works way better once is it adequately been worked in your hands and has been warmed up. The method of flattening into a thin strip is most commonly referred to as snaking. This allows you to evenly spread the glazing into the seem prior to smoothing and shaping the window glazing putty.

If you are using caulk, load the caulk gun with the caulk and then apply a continuous bead of caulk around the edge of the window frame. Smooth the caulk out using a putty knife or your finger.

Step 6: Insert the window glazing points

If your window has glazing points, now is the time to insert them. Place the glazing points into the frame at equal intervals around the window pane. Glazier points are small metal pins that help to hold the glass in place. You will need to insert them about every 6 inches around the edge of the glass.

7. Smooth out the glazing compound.

Once the glazier points are in place, you will need to smooth out the glazing compound. To do this, you can use your fingers or a putty knife. Use a putty knife to push them into the frame, ensuring they are secure. Then use the same putting knife to smooth and shape the glazing material making sure it is flush with the window frame. You can also use a paintbrush or your finger to create a smooth finish. Then using a wet rag get you finger wet before running it along the glaze to achieve a uniform look.

Tips: Angle the putty knife at a 45-degree angle, apply a decent amount of pressure to cut away the excess glazing. As it cuts away or falls off if you're not working on a flat surface, catch or pull away the excess before it has a chance to dry or leave oil marks on the glass. Start at the corners, don't move too fast, or to slow. Its takes practice to master how to do this part and have it look nice.

Step 6: Allow the glazing material to dry

Allow the glazing material to dry completely, following the manufacturer's instructions. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the product used.

Step 7: Sand and paint (optional)

If you are using glazing putty, you may want to sand the dried putty using 100-grit sandpaper to create a smooth finish. You can then paint the putty to match the window frame using a paintbrush and painter's tape to protect the glass.

Finally, you will need to let the glazing compound dry. This will take about 24 hours. Once it's dry, you're done! You've successfully glazed your window like a professional.

Here are a few tips for glazing windows like a professional:

• Use a sharp utility knife to score the glazing compound.
• Apply a generous amount of glazing compound so that the glass is well-sealed.
• Insert the glazier points about every 6 inches around the edge of the glass.
• Smooth out the glazing compound with your fingers or a putty knife.
• Let the glazing compound dry completely before using the window.