Reglazing Old Windows

Re-glazing old windows is an alternative to just replacing them.

It is a popular trend to replace all your windows with energy efficient ones, and the government is offering tax breaks and subsidies for doing so, but if you still can’t afford it, or if you live in an old home with hand poured glass that you want to keep, there is another solution.

Re-glazing a window is not difficult at all, but it is not a fun job either. The first thing you’ll want to do is remove all the old cracking glazing around the window. If there are no push points in to hold the window in place, you can put them in yourself using a putty knife. If the window is cracked or cracks while removing the glaze, now is a good time to replace it. I would recommend getting at least double thickness on the replacement glass, or 1/8th of an inch thick. This will ensure better insulation and a sturdier piece of glass. When measuring for dimensions, subtract a 1/8 inch from the top and bottom opening of the window frame.

Next, clean the frame out the area with a brush and apply a coat of exterior primer to the area where the glaze will be applied. Once dry you can apply the glaze.

I recommend strip glazing because it takes far less time to shape and you can peel it off to the desired thickness, depending on your windows. Simply break off the length you want and lightly tack it to the window. Then using your thumb or first finger, press the glaze into the seam until it is smooth and evenly covers the seam to the edge of the window frame. If applying glazing putty that is not in strips, you will want to use a heat gun to warm the glaze, as it will be hard to shape without it. Remember, if this is an old house, then it was all done by hand in the first place. Do not expect it to look perfect, old houses do not look perfect, but they can function like new.