Glass Installation – Preparing the Substrates and Support

Glass installation is the process of inserting glass into a window or door. It’s a job that requires some skill and experience to do well. Many glaziers do not have formal training or degrees, but learn their trade on the job or as an apprentice with more experienced glaziers. This is a trade that requires careful attention to detail and patience since mistakes are expensive.

Before attempting a new glass installation, it’s important to ensure that the substrate and support are prepared properly. This step is often overlooked, and it’s critical to the success of the project. In addition, it’s essential to check that all measurements are correct before starting the installation. It’s also a good idea to use a straightedge to mark the desired section for the glass that you’ll be cutting. This will help you avoid mistakes that could result in the incorrect size of the glass wall.

Once the frame has been properly prepared, you’re ready to start working on the actual installation. It’s a good idea to wear heavy gloves and eye protection for this task, as the glass can break easily if it’s not handled correctly. Before removing the old window, it’s a good idea to cover any areas of the frame that you don’t want to get caulking on with tape or cardboard. This will help keep any caulking from accidentally getting on places that don’t need it and can ruin the look of the finished product.

Begin by removing any items that are on the sills, and make sure furniture or other objects aren’t blocking access to the windows. Next, make sure the air conditioning and heating vents are closed or set to blow in a direction that won’t disturb your work area. Also, make sure that any ceiling fans are turned off.

Using a putty knife or pliers, remove the old glazing points from the window frame’s rabbet (the groove where the glass fits). These tiny fasteners have sharp points that can gouge wood if you’re not careful. Once the old points have been removed, sand the rabbet smooth with fine-grit sandpaper and brush a coat of linseed oil onto it to help the putty adhere.

After the rabbet has been prepared, it’s time to bed the glass into it. To do this, scoop out some glazing putty from the can and knead it until it becomes soft and pliable. Then, spread a thin bed of the putty around the perimeter of the frame where the glass will rest.

Then, roll some of the putty into a rope and press it into the rabbet to line the area where the glass will be placed. Once you’ve done this, press the glass into the putty to firmly bed it in place. Finally, apply a small amount of caulking to the outside edges of the glass to hold it in place. This will prevent any water or moisture from seeping behind the glass when it rains or snows.

source https://glassrepairlogan.wordpress.com/2023/11/20/glass-installation-preparing-the-substrates-and-support/