Insert glass into a wooden window with your own hands

How to replace glass in a window: step-by-step instructions, expert advice

During construction work, when renovating an apartment or house, you can accidentally break window glass.
Sometimes these troubles can be caused by children’s games, or perhaps by adults’ “fun.” In case of this problem, it is not necessary to seek the help of specialists: having the necessary tools and step-by-step instructions on how to replace glass in a window will allow the home craftsman to do this work with his own hands. It immediately draws attention to which window design requires glass replacement. Currently, mainly plastic window structures are installed in premises. In apartments of old buildings, old options in the form of wooden window blocks are often still found.

The work of replacing glass in a plastic and wooden window will be slightly different due to the difference in the designs of the window blocks, so we will consider them separately in this article.

Briefly about the main thing

To change the glass on a plastic window or replace an entire double-glazed window, you cannot do without specialists. A sealed unit can only be made in a specialized workshop with a special microclimate and the necessary equipment. But you can remove the old one and insert a new double-glazed window in its place yourself, although you won’t save much on this. This work requires care when taking measurements, accuracy when dismantling and driving in the beads that hold the glass in the frame opening, and proper installation of gaskets to level it.

Replacement of double-glazed windows in plastic windows

Replacement begins with taking the dimensions of the glass unit being removed. To the visible dimensions of the glass, add 30 mm on each side. Dimensions must be taken carefully; in this case, every millimeter will be important, since if there is an error on the large side, the structure cannot be mounted. With a smaller glass unit the tightness of the structure will not be achieved.

Afterwards, an order is made from a specialized company. The best option would be to call a specialist to take measurements and do the installation yourself.

Step-by-step work:

The glazing beads are dismantled. Use a knife to slightly pry up a side element and insert a gasket into the gap. When prying the glazing bead with a knife, you need to slightly swing it and move it.
After hearing a click, the glazing bead is easily dismantled. First, remove the side beads, then the bottom and lastly the top. The order must be observed, otherwise during dismantling, the glass may fall out and injure the craftsman.
The beads must be marked immediately; this will be needed for subsequent installation of the double-glazed window. Otherwise, the sealing of the structure may be compromised.
The old double-glazed window is dismantled (this work is best done with an assistant).
The new double-glazed window is mounted in place and, using a rubber hammer, the glazing beads are installed until it clicks. A click of the element indicates correct installation.

Sometimes glazing beads break; to replace them, you need to know what grade the profile was made from, otherwise the elements may not match the old ones.

When performing the work, sealing will not be necessary due to the fact that the seal is fixed to the bead.

Replacing individual glasses in such structures is quite rare; it is better to install a new double-glazed window.

Required tools and materials:

Glass. It is advisable to order a new one from a glass cutting machine, but if you have several old ones, it doesn’t matter. Old glass that has served for decades is more difficult to cut; numerous temperature and mechanical deformations affect it, so one glass may not be enough.
Glass cutter, if the glass will not be ordered from a glass cutting machine, but you need to cut it yourself. When visiting the markets of large and small cities, I often see a magician cutting glass, not in a straight line, but in intricate curves and easily breaking the glass along the cut. This man sells a miracle glass cutter and such a glass cutter is relatively inexpensive, but I was the only one who was honored to buy such a glass cutter.
A table for cutting glass, again if the glass will not be ordered in a glass cutting machine. The dimensions of the table must be larger than the dimensions of the glass being cut. The table top should be as flat as possible, otherwise the glass may crack during the cutting process and not at all where it is needed. It is advisable to lay some kind of fabric, an old blanket, etc. on the surface of the table.
A chisel 15-20 mm wide for removing old glazing beads.
Glazing beads. Sometimes old glazing beads can be removed quite easily, but they can also break, in which case new glazing beads will be needed.
Metal hacksaw for cutting glazing beads.
Roulette.
Nails. Previously, ordinary steel nails 20-30 mm long were used to fasten the glazing bead, but now you can also buy copper-plated ones. Such nails do not rust so quickly.
Hammer.
Insulating tape.
Pliers.
Putty for windows.
Zenzubel or folded gebel
Pencil, marker or felt-tip pen for marking.

Replacing glass in a wooden window (old window block design)

In older and simpler designs of wooden window units, glass replacement is much easier. The only difficulty may be cutting out the glass of the required size with a glass cutter if you do this work yourself. We have described this stage of work in great detail, so the task is feasible, even if your experience in carrying out construction and repair work is not great.

Using a screwdriver or chisel, you need to remove the old putty, slightly move the glazing beads and remove the nails that secured the glass.
The glass being replaced is removed.
Afterwards, measurements are taken to cut new glass. It should be immediately noted that the size of the new glass should be smaller. It is necessary to create a small gap of 1.5-2 mm for the inserted glass on all sides.
New glass is cut on a flat horizontal surface; usually an ordinary table is enough. Just to be safe, you should place a thick cloth on the work surface.
Glass is cut with a diamond glass cutter. You will need a ruler and possibly pliers. The ruler is positioned along the cutting line, and the glass cutter is pressed against the ruler.
Do not press hard on the glass cutter. The correct glass cut looks like this: a thin and even mark on the glass, colorless. When cutting, the tool creates a barely audible noise; cutting is done correctly. If a diamond leaves white dust and a fairly wide stripe on the glass, this indicates very strong pressure on the tool.
A few millimeters before the edge of the glass, it is necessary to slightly reduce the pressure on the glass cutter, as it may break off the edge of the material and damage the diamond.
After making the cut, the glass is moved to the edge of the working surface (table). With one hand, the material is pressed against the surface, and with the other, the edge of the glass is sharply pressed. The cutting line should be on the edge of the table.
Large glass elements are broken by hand, and for smaller ones, pliers or a special groove in the glass cutter itself are used.
Installation of new glass is carried out using putty placed in the rebates of the window sashes. The glass is pressed tightly against the putty.
Next, the glass is secured with glazing beads and nails. Glass nails are fixed in glazing beads parallel to the glass; they should not be driven in at an angle - the glass will be damaged. When hammering nails, the hammer or chisel handle should slide carefully across the surface of the glass.
Then the folds are once again treated with putty.

In some cases, it is possible to install glass dry, without using putty.

After the putty has dried, it is painted to match the color of the window block, or you can highlight these elements with paint of a different color.

Don't worry too much about broken glass in a window. It can be replaced without dismantling the window units themselves. It won't cost that much, especially if you do the repairs yourself. The step-by-step instructions given in this material will help you replace glass in a plastic and wooden window with your own hands.

Cutting rules and technology

One of the most important steps in inserting new glass into a wooden frame is cutting it. Here you need to observe several features :

The glass cutter must be very sharp;
You can also choose a diamond tool, but it is more suitable for professionals, so a roller glass cutter would be the best option;
the marking line is drawn once, so it is important to initially mark it evenly;
the place of the glass where the line is drawn is placed on the edge of the table;
It is recommended to tap using a glass cutter if the sheet is small in width;
for a chip to form along the intended line, a force of 3-4 kg is sufficient;
It is not recommended to use metal structures as auxiliary elements;
The glass cutter should lie perpendicular to the material;
the tool must pass along the line in one direction only.

It is recommended to use personal protective equipment - a mask, goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and hands from possible cuts. After the material is cut, it is processed with a sharpening stone - this will prevent the presence of sharp edges.

How to insert new glass into a frame

Handmade replacement of glass in a window with a wooden frame. To replace damaged glass in a wooden window frame, you can do without the help of specialists, but do it yourself and with your own hands. If the upper part of the window frame is located quite inconveniently and far away, it will be more convenient for you to work by removing it and laying it on a flat surface. When working with glass, follow safety rules. Try not to place it on the floor surface, as you may crush it without noticing. Place the glass against the wall and cover it with something bright.

In order to replace glass in a wooden frame window, you should stock up on:

directly with the glass itself, a tape measure, a chisel, silicone sealant, glazing beads, a hacksaw, pliers, a sharp knife.

And so let's move on to work on how to insert glass into a window with a wooden frame.

Before starting work on inserting glass into a window, you should put on gloves made of thick fabric to protect yourself from possible injuries and cuts.
First, cover the entire surface of the glass with a thick layer of tape. You can also use electrical tape or masking tape. Then cover the window sill with newspaper sheets or any paper so as not to damage the paint layer.
Next, you need to get rid of the fasteners between the glass and the frame, be it beading or putty. If it is putty, then it should be cleaned off with a screwdriver or the edge of a knife. In order to get rid of dried or hardened putty, you need to gently tap the handle of the knife with some object. You can also use a hair dryer, which will soften it with a stream of hot air, or a soldering iron. Remove nails or other fasteners using pliers. Using a screwdriver or chisel, remove the studs.
After all the work described above, we remove the damaged glass from the frame. If necessary, wrap all the fragments on pre-laid paper, carefully pack them, and throw them away.
All folds in a wooden frame should be cleaned to obtain smooth surfaces, and for this you need to use a file, chisel and pliers. It is worth getting rid of all kinds of irregularities, bumps, nails and nicks on the tree.
Next, measure the glass. Measure the distance according to the dimensions of the stripped folds, calculating 0.3 cm on each side. This is done in order to protect the glass from cracks when expanding. Cut the window glass to a delicate size, or contact a workshop. Calculate the number of glazing beads using measurements.
Glazing beads and silicone sealant of white or transparent color can be purchased at a specialized building materials store. If you did not damage the old bead when removing it from the frame, you can reuse it. When purchasing sealant, take the time to read the description on the package. Buy one that is not afraid of temperature changes. In order to apply the sealant, you will need to use a construction gun. You can use sealant sold in syringes, but it will be a little more expensive.
Using a hacksaw with medium-sized teeth, you need to cut out the glazing beads of the required size, and then hammer the nails intended for window work into it so that they are perpendicular.
Carefully lubricate all folds with silicone sealant. Place a wooden stick on the bottom part of the window frame to leave a gap, and then install the glass. While gently pressing the glass, remove the wooden stick.
After this, you should carefully nail the glazing bead. Before it is installed in the frame, it is worth covering it with paint, although this can be done after installation. If necessary, it is worth painting parts of the frame that were damaged during work.

Here are some brief instructions on how you can insert glass into a window with a wooden or plastic frame with your own hands, and you don’t need to call the craftsmen and pay them money.

Removing old glass

First, you will need a knife or chisel, masking tape and knitted gloves to remove the fragments.

Replacing broken glass in a window

Knitted or leather gloves are needed to reliably protect your hands from cuts. Remove the shards and seal the remaining ones in the frame with tape. Then remove the glazing beads, which are designed to hold the glass to the frame, and the nails. Remove the putty with a knife or sharp object if the planks were sealed with it. After this, the remaining fragments will not be difficult to remove.

Remove beads carefully and slowly so they can be reused. If you were unable to remove them carefully, prepare new planks of exactly the same size.

Also use a knife to remove the layer of putty or sealant located under the glazing beads. The layer is designed to completely seal the joints and soften the planks so that they and the glass do not touch each other. The sealant protects the canvas from possible damage when the window sashes slam shut.

For subsequent work on replacing glass you will need : a sheet of glass 3-4 mm thick, a tape measure, nails, a glass cutter, a small hammer and transparent sealant.

Measuring the size of broken glass

Before inserting glass into a wooden frame, you need to prepare it. The canvas is cut out with your own hands or ordered from workshops. It is cut 2-3 mm smaller than the window frame. That is, dense placement of glass in the frame is not acceptable. If it is inserted tightly, the window may crack when the wooden frame expands due to moisture.

How to insert glass into a wooden frame: instructions

There may be several reasons for replacing glass with new ones. First of all, this is when the glass breaks or at that moment when you realize that the windows begin to shake from the slightest noise, for example, when a car passes.

The process of glazing wooden frames is not entirely complicated and time-consuming, so in order to carry out such a replacement you do not need to call a specialist. It’s quite possible to cope on your own. If you have not encountered such a process before, familiarize yourself with its main stages.

Frame check

An important stage, but for some reason missed by many. In some cases, the quarters chosen for glass turn out to be uneven - there is a difference in depth. If the difference is minimal, then it’s okay, but in more serious cases the glass may simply break. To avoid such troubles, the frame needs to be trimmed. A tool called a zenzubel or folding hebel is used for this. You can try to get by with a regular plane, but then you will have to finish the corners with a chisel.

What is the best way to cut glass?

Most often, in order to cut glass, a special tool is used - a glass cutter, which leaves a scratch on the surface of the glass, which you then simply need to press and the necessary part will break off.

Glass cutters are usually divided into several types: Roller - this is a device that, during the cutting process, presses a groove on the glass; this device is most often used by non-professionals. The quality of cutting in this case depends on the number of rollers in the device itself. There can be up to 6 of them in total.

Professional diamond. Such an instrument contains a small amount of industrial diamond. If we compare it with the previous version, we can safely conclude that such a tool will last longer. The distance that he can cut, so to speak, will be up to 12 kilometers.

The oil version is very similar to the roller version , but in this case the tool contains the function of automatically supplying oil. This feature in turn reduces friction and makes the entire process smooth and easy. Based on this, it can be argued that the shelf life of this tool increases. As for the oil, it is contained in the handle of the tool, and it must be refilled with a special liquid, which is intended for glass.

Tips for choosing

There are several criteria and tips that you should pay attention to when selecting glass for a wooden frame:

protection from cold;
Sun protection;
protection against furniture fading;
installation location;
price category.

This also includes the thickness of the product, because not in every case exactly 4 mm is suitable. This option is suitable when you need to protect the house from drafts and make the frame airtight. For example, when installing a frame in a country house with double glazing, 4 mm is quite suitable if you live in the house only in the summer.

If accommodation will take place during the cold season, then it is worth taking a closer look at thickened structures. Winter in different regions is characterized by strong winds, frosts, and the heating system does not always save the situation - half the success depends on the quality of window structures.

Modern glass manufacturers use the latest technologies to create their products. Most sheet glass already comes with heat-saving and sun protection functions.

Glass cutting process

In the process of such work, it is necessary to take into account some nuances; they are very important and should be adhered to. First of all, pay attention to the fact that the sheet must be absolutely clean and dry. During operation, it must be placed on a flat surface; it will be better if it is also covered with some kind of material.

It is necessary to mark the required distance on the glass using a tape measure and, accordingly, a marker. The cut line can also be treated with machine oil.

Using your tool you need to draw a line. The cut should be smooth and shallow. In the process, you can also use a ruler, but place it slightly to the side of the intended line. You only need to move the tool along the line once, that is, in one touch, so to speak.

The force that needs to be applied in this case will depend on the tool you have chosen. For example, a roller tool requires more force than a diamond tool. But the line will be shallow.

If you are using corrugated glass, it is best to use a roller tool. But for all other options, you can use a diamond tool.

Please note that you will not be able to cut tempered glass, as it may break, but as for, for example, patterned or matte options, you should cut them from the smooth side.

The entire process of cutting glass is carried out from the edge of the sheet and, without interruption, move towards you. It is best to cut off the short side, and then the long side.

The placement of the glass cutter in your hand is also of great importance, since the quality of the cutting depends on it. For example, a diamond must be held in a vertical position in your hand, much like we hold a pencil. But the roller version of the tool should be perpendicular to the surface of the blade.

Afterwards all that remains is to break off the glass. Move it to the end of your workbench and tap the glass cutter head on the cut from below and only then break it. In order to break off a small piece of glass you need to use tongs or use the slots that are on the tool.

If you are faced with the task of cutting out a circle, then it is better to first apply this figure to the glass with a marker, which can later be washed off. After this, all that remains is to run the tool along the line and perform all the exact same actions, knock on the bottom and break it off.

In order for you to get all the corners even and not sharp, you just need to sand them.

Glass size measurement

Window glass is not always rectangular, so simply measuring the height and width may not be enough. Experts proceed in a different way: they measure parameters on both sides and, if strong curvature is noticeable, then in the middle. To measure, use a special meter or tape measure; do not try to take measurements with a short school ruler - the result will be inaccurate.

The easiest way to take measurements is with a tape measure.

After this, you should measure the diagonals of the glass. Most often, the difference in size will be small - within 1% or 1 cm. In this case, you can ignore it and simply cut out a rectangular piece with the given parameters. If the difference turns out to be greater, then you won’t be able to discount it - be sure to take into account all the parameters when cutting. An important point: most often the glass is cut into slightly smaller (literally a few millimeters) sizes . This will avoid a number of installation problems without creating drafts.

How to insert glass into a wooden frame: instructions

Glazing of a wooden window occurs as follows.
Apply sealant around the entire perimeter of the window and then insert it into the middle of the opening. Place matches on the bottom edge of the frame to create special gaps. The sealant also needs to be applied to the other side under the glazing bead. You can start hammering in glazing beads, side and bottom strips.

As for the nails, they need to be driven parallel to the surface of the glass so that they do not damage it. In this case, you need to handle the hammer extremely carefully and press it against the surface of the canvas during the process.

Once you have succeeded in inserting the glass into the wooden frame, you can get rid of the remaining sealant. You can later paint the new bead along with the entire frame.

Fitting the glazing bead

It's time to prepare the mount. The glazing bead is cut with a hacksaw and is most often done so that an angle of 45 degrees is formed at the ends . Most often, a miter box is used for marking, but instead of it, a regular construction corner can be used with equal success. In addition, those who wish can quickly make a miter box on their own from a couple of bars.

Use a miter box to cut glazing beads at an angle of 45 degrees.

All that remains is to mark the required length on the glazing bead and saw off the pieces. Experts recommend cutting on one side, then trying the material into the frame, marking the new length there and filing it. Note that a properly sawn glazing bead will stay in the frame even without nails (albeit not very firmly).

In order not to confuse the pieces later, they can be marked. Also, to simplify the process, nails are pre-set. Some people prefer to drill a hole for them, but most often installation does not require this.

Replacing glass in a wooden window

Regardless of the reasons, broken window glass is an immediate problem that significantly disrupts the comfort of your home. Anyone can need a glazier to come out and replace the glass in a wooden window. At the same time, the main criteria for the quality of insertion work are efficiency and price.

Accidentally damaged a window and need an urgent, inexpensive solution? offers prompt replacement of broken glass in wooden window frames. A proven, experienced team of craftsmen is ready to take on the problem in Moscow and the region.

Possible difficulties and errors

One of the most common mistakes is incorrect selection of the size of glazing material . It is recommended to leave small gaps on the sides for a sealed insert.

Experts also advise checking for differences in glass depth: sheets with differences may crack during future use.

Another mistake is incorrect markup . First you need to mark a straight line with a marker, and then run a glass cutter along it once. If you run a glass cutter along a line several times, there is a high probability of an uneven break.

Replacement process

Installation of glass in a wooden frame must be carried out according to certain technology and standards, neglect of which most often results in problems with sound insulation and heat retention. It is for this reason that it is better to entrust this work to professionals.

The scope and specifics of the procedure depend mainly on the method of fixing the glass in the window: double putty, single putty, or using glazing beads - slats nailed to the frame itself. The easiest way to insert glass into a wooden window is by removing the structure and then laying the inside side up on a flat and soft surface. After this, the previous putty and glazing beads are removed. Seam joints must be thoroughly cleaned. The cut glass is then placed into a wooden window frame, which can be:

single-layer, with a thickness of 4-10 mm;
tempered (heat-treated) - this technology increases the safety of use, since if the integrity is broken, the glass does not disintegrate, but only cracks;
multilayer (consisting of two or more layers connected by a polymer material) - makes the window frame heavier, but increases the degree of protection from external influences, including from the actions of intruders.

Glass is inserted into a frame with large wooden doors without removing them, using a technology similar to the installation of glass in interior doors. The process is associated with danger and requires special knowledge and experience, so in this case, replacing the glass of a window frame should also be done by professional glaziers.

Our company offers a full range of glass replacement services:

Free visit of a specialist to measure the window frame
Installation using customer materials
Delivery of already prepared canvas of the required dimensions in the case where you plan to manually insert glass into a wooden window
High-quality service, including a one-year guarantee for all types of services provided
Emergency service for window repairs without extra charges

An example of our work. Carrying out urgent repairs to a wooden window in a cafe:

What types are suitable?

One of the main characteristics of a high-quality wooden window will be not only the choice of reliable material for the frame itself, but also the compliance of the glass with standards . For example, some manufacturers use smart glass in their products.

They are able to reflect solar energy up to 58% - this means that sunlight will enter the window, but will not heat it. If the window is on the south side, then it is proposed to apply a special coating to the glass that will protect from the sun. At the same time, the desired air temperature will be maintained in the room.

Basic requirements for glass for wooden windows:

outer glass 4 mm thick;
the distance between two glazings is at least 16 mm;
internal glass 4 mm with hard coating;
the glass should not have chips or other defects;
There should be no damage to the edges of the glass that would prevent its sealed installation.

Depending on the type of glass that will be used when installing a wooden frame, there are several GOSTs that define requirements for specific product categories.

Average prices for glass 4 mm thick, which are suitable for a wooden frame, depend on the size and region of sales. For example, the approximate cost per 1 sq. m will cost from 500 rubles .

Application for window frame repair

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Creating an application takes place in three steps:

Call the operator: the essence of the problem is clarified (it is necessary to urgently replace the cracked glass in the window). The operator calculates the order price for Moscow and the nearest Moscow region.
Carrying out measurements: the operator will send a specialist to the address specified during the conversation. In our company, visiting a specialist to measure a window is a free service.
Installation: specialists will prepare the material in the shortest possible time, after which they will replace the glass at a time convenient for you. The range of services also includes related repairs of the wooden frame.