When you’re restoring historic wooden or metal home windows then you definitely’re in all probability coping with glazing putty quite than the trendy glazing gasket methods. Glazing putty is a splendidly versatile product that was used for hundreds of years to put in glass into the earliest home windows. Within the Nineteen Fifties and Nineteen Sixties it started to fall out of favor and issues like proprietary glazing gaskets, caulks, wooden glazing, and different choices took its place.
I’ve been writing about glazing putty because the starting of this weblog in 2011 and utilizing it lengthy earlier than that so I felt it was time I assembled all the pieces you’ll want to find out about glazing putty into one complete submit. When you’ve obtained glazing putty questions this submit has all of the solutions you would presumably need so dig deep and be able to drink from a fireplace hose.
What’s Glazing Putty?
Glazing putty was historically used to seal the person panes of glass in wooden, metal, and to a extra restricted foundation, aluminum home windows as early as glass was put in within the first home windows. It was closely in use as a compound that was blended on web site by painters and glaziers when it was frequent for them to be mixing their very own paints earlier than the commercial revolution. Later, it grew to become available at paint suppliers and {hardware} shops.
Glazing putty was historically a mixture of whiting (calcium carbonate) and linseed oil, although producers would add completely different components to realize completely different consistencies and results. Usually small quantities of white lead or asbestos have been added to putties to present them extra elasticity and enhance their efficiency.
How is Glazing Putty Utilized?
Glazing putty is primarily utilized utilizing a putty knife. There are some trendy glazing compounds at present that are available a caulk tube, however these should not in the identical league as the normal glazing putties so I’d advise staying away from these merchandise.
Although putty software had slight regional variations, the final greatest practices have been to use a mattress of putty into the glazing rabbets previous to putting in the glass which was then pressed into the putty creating a wonderful seal in opposition to water and air. The surplus putty was then scraped away and the glass was secured in place with small steel tabs known as glazing factors which got here in quite a lot of configurations and dimensions.
After the glazing factors have been put in the face of the glass was puttied and tooled to a clean beveled floor that seals the glass and permits water to shed simply off the floor. The corners of the putty are tooled right into a mitred joint which gives the impression of wooden joints.
After a number of weeks or days, relying on the glazing getting used, the putty has cured sufficient to be painted and sealed in opposition to the climate which extends its life and protects it from the weather.
What’s the Greatest Glazing Putty?
It is a robust query as a result of it’s largely a matter of private choice, however there are some traits, undoubtedly, that make for a high quality glazing putty. To fee a glazing putty you’ll want to have a look at the next traits.
- Ease of Software
- Clear Up
- Look
- Treatment Time
- Mildew Resistance
- Lengthy-Time period Efficiency
Under I’ve listed a few of the hottest putties accessible at present and given you an outline of every in addition to a mixed score primarily based on my expertise working with every.
Sarco Kind-M
That is the commonest glazing putty that skilled window restorers use. It’s comparatively simple to make use of, not too oily, or too dry and instruments to a pleasant clean end. The putty can also be quick to pores and skin over, which suggests it’s prepared for paint (in most circumstances) in as fast as 3-4 days. It’s only advisable for glazing in a store, which merely means it have to be painted previous to be uncovered to solar and climate. It’s only for wooden sash (not for metal home windows). Regardless of this, I’ve had first rate success utilizing it sparingly outdoors so long as I get it painted within the 3-5 day vary after software.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 9
Austin’s Glaziers Putty
That is my private favourite glazing putty. I partnered with the Sarco Putty Firm to formulate this putty years in the past to satisfy my exacting specs. This putty is actually Sarco Kind-M putty with the addition of non-toxic, mildew inhibitors. Glazing home windows within the humid southern US we struggled for years to maintain mildew off our putty (a typical problem) and after 3 years of growth we discovered a components that labored. The putty is simple to instrument, cures shortly in 2-3 days, and can be utilized on metal home windows, in addition to for in-situ glazing, making it probably the most versatile putty in the marketplace at present.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 10
Sarco Twin Glaze
That is the primary putty I realized to make use of as a result of it may be used nearly wherever. It’s designed for wooden OR metal home windows and could be utilized outdoors or in a store. This makes it a good selection for spot glazing contact ups outdoors. Twin Glaze is just like work with as Kind-M, besides that it’s a bit oilier which makes it just a little messier to work with, particularly on sizzling days. The draw back is that it takes a very long time to treatment (2-3 weeks). However that sluggish curing makes for a putty that stays versatile for much longer than most of its opponents. That flexibility and the choice to go away this uncovered to the weather for months supplies a pleasant possibility for folks not wanting to color instantly.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 8
DAP 33
DAP 33 is out there at nearly each ironmongery shop, which is among the causes I believe so many individuals use it. I used it sparingly in the beginning of my enterprise because it was simple to seek out. I discovered it very greasy to work with and troublesome to get a clear line until my putty knife was continually cleaned. The curing time till it was skinned over and prepared for paint was nearer to Twin Glaze within the 2 week vary, although in cooler temperatures it has taken over a month or two, which was one of many causes I stop utilizing it. Basically, I’m not a fan of this putty and suppose it’s the cause most individuals discover glazing so tedious.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 4
Aqua Glaze
Manufacturing of AquaGlaze has lately been stopped, however I’m undecided if that’s everlasting or momentary so I really feel prefer it’s nonetheless price discussing as a result of it’s such a singular glazing putty. In contrast to the opposite oil-based putties, up to now, Aqua Glaze is an acrylic glazing putty. The factor that makes Aqua Glaze particular is its tremendous quick curing time. It may be prepared for paint in as fast as 1 hour! This could be a large assist if you’re in a time crunch. Of all of the putties right here, it’s in all probability probably the most temperamental to work with. It needs to be blended completely earlier than getting used, in any other case it may be fairly sticky.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 6
Glazol
I attempted a gallon of this at a good friend’s urging and located that it really works quite effectively. It has been round lengthy sufficient and has been examined sufficient that I really feel comfy placing it on my home windows too. Glazol appeared to me to be someplace in the midst of Kind-M and DAP 33 when it comes to it’s workability. It was prepared for paint in about 4 days which was nice, nevertheless it was just a little chalkier than I used to be used to. So with the higher choices on the market it’s not one thing I plan to make use of.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 7
Allback Linseed Oil Putty
Probably probably the most conventional of all these putties is the Allback. If you wish to be true to the old fashioned methods, that is glazing putty in its purest type. It’s made primarily with whiting and a purified linseed oil that has had the proteins eliminated (this helps struggle mildew). Allback putty is pure because the pushed snow. The largest benefit of this putty is that it may be painted instantly however provided that you utilize a linseed oil paint, which could be a main time saver. The down aspect is that it’s costly and I’ve discovered it to nonetheless mildew even when the mold is much less prevalent than different putties.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 7
Sherwin Williams “66” Glazing Compound
I’ve seen this putty on the shelf at my native Sherwin Williams retailer and have puzzled the way it carried out, so I forked over a couple of dollars and introduced a quart again to the store for testing. The putty is white in look identical to DAP 33 and once I dug it out of the container, I discovered it to be a sticky, gooey mess to work with. It caught to all the pieces, together with my gloves a lot in order that I needed to take them off and use my naked palms. The stickiness did make it simple to stick to the glazing rabbet however aside from that, I didn’t get pleasure from working with this putty one bit. Making an attempt to instrument a clean end was not a straightforward process and I’m a reasonably good glazier. Treatment time was about 13 days earlier than it was prepared for portray. Even when this putty performs amazingly, I’d not suggest it as a result of it was such a ache to work with.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 3
Crawfords Painter’s Putty
It is a linseed and calcium carbonate putty with titanium added. It’s a pure product with no harsh chemical compounds and similar to the normal putties of the previous days. The putty is available in a sealed steel can and has a layer of water on prime to forestall curing within the can. The water retains the oxygen off the putty and prevents it from creating a pores and skin on prime which saves you from loosing a layer of cured putty, which is sweet. Proper out of the can, the putty was easy to work in my palms and instruments fairly properly. I didn’t have any issues with the putty sticking or clumping and it was simple to work. So far as the treatment time, I used to be impressed that after solely about 1 week the putty had developed a adequate pores and skin that it was prepared for paint.
Scott’s Score (1-10): 7
How To: Make Your Personal Glazing Putty
The industrial putties in the marketplace are just a little higher than do-it-yourself recipes and at all times extra constant, however the do-it-yourself stuff can work nice whenever you simply want just a little batch. Or perhaps you’re a type of hardcore DIYers who prefer to make all the pieces your self. Both manner, it’s a enjoyable challenge to make your personal glazing putty.
Glazing putty doesn’t hold ceaselessly, so simply make a batch massive sufficient to deal with what you intend to glaze within the subsequent week or so after which make some extra in case you want it later.
Conventional linseed oil putty was comprised of solely 2-3 objects.
Yow will discover linseed oil at most {hardware} and paint shops. Utilizing boiled linseed oil will lead to a quicker curing putty, whereas uncooked linseed oil putty ends in an extended lasting flexibility with the putty, so, there’s a commerce off. Whiting is just a little scarce as of late, however I do promote it in my retailer in case you can’t discover it regionally.
You may also add Zinc Oxide to assist management mildew progress in your putty in case you stay in a area that’s notably sizzling and humid like we’re down right here in Florida. I discover that including about 1/3 cup of zinc to 1 quart of putty to be useful.
Combine some linseed oil with the whiting till you get to a workable consistency like Play-Doh or if you’re a baker, precise dough. The consistency of your putty is totally dependent in your preferences. You might have considered trying it softer or firmer relying in your wants.
Personally, I’ve discovered that the very best consistency for glazing with a putty knife is thicker than you initially suppose. The putty ought to be agency sufficient that it received’t stoop or sag when rolled right into a ball.
Combine the 2 collectively in a bowl or different container to initially mix the substances. Finally, you’ll have to pull it out and unfold it on the desk to knead by hand like a baker to get all of it blended completely. Knead the putty and work it till it’s a constant texture all through.
How Lengthy Does Glazing Putty Final?
Apart from the kind of glazing putty you utilize, which performs a significant function in how lengthy your putty will final, it actually relies on a number of elements a few of which you’ll be able to management and others you possibly can’t. It might fluctuate from as little as 5 years to so long as 50 years. Under are a few of the main elements affecting putty life.
Local weather
Scorching climates and particularly home windows with heavy solar publicity can have a considerably shorter life for glazing putty. When you’re within the northern US you possibly can count on the common window to get 20-30 years of life earlier than it must be reglazed with new glazing putty. Down right here in Florida, I’ve discovered that glazing putty has a mean lifespan of solely 10-15 years.
Publicity
Are your home windows underneath a porch masking? Do they face south or west have been they get extra intense solar? Identical to paint, glazing putty lasts longer when protected against the weather, particularly the solar and warmth. Home windows on a porch can have glazing putty that may final so long as 40-50 years in some instances that I’ve seen.
Upkeep
This issue is totally as much as you. Holding putty painted and clear will significantly prolong its life. Glazing putty must be sealed with a paint line that laps over the putty onto the glass with a purpose to carry out its greatest. This paint line usually fails, permitting water to get behind the putty inflicting untimely failure. Hold it painted to get an extended putty life.
Why Does Glazing Putty Crack?
Glazing putty has a troublesome job to do. It has to bridge the hole between two very dissimilar supplies (glass and wooden), which transfer at very completely different charges. Glazing putty is slowly curing over a few years. Oils don’t dry, quite they treatment, and that curing takes a very long time.
Because the oils treatment the putty turns into tougher and tougher every year which makes it much less efficient at withstanding the fixed enlargement and contraction of the wooden.
Finally, the stress turns into an excessive amount of and the putty begins to crack. These cracks enable water to get in behind the putty dashing up the failure. Finally the putty comes unfastened from the wooden and glass and wishes alternative.
You’ll be able to sluggish this course of down by retaining the putty painted and changing any broken or lacking sections promptly.
Can You Restore Glazing Putty?
Sure, glazing putty could be patched and ought to be as part of its upkeep cycle. You don’t have to totally take away the sash to re-putty it. The work could be carried out on web site in case you’re utilizing an applicable glazing putty like Twin Glaze or Austin’s Glaziers Putty.
New glazing putty will bond to previous putty as effectively so it’s not essential to take away each ounce of putty, however a superb portion ought to be eliminated previous to re-glazing.
Keep away from skim coating previous putty with new glazing putty. A skinny layer of putty will fail in a short time and can normally seem unpleasant from the within of the window.
The video beneath will present you the method of repairing glazing on a window in place.
How To Take away Glazing Putty
Whether or not it’s metal home windows or wooden home windows, eradicating glazing putty is among the extra irritating issues to do in my view. How laborious the work is relies on a variety of elements, like how previous the putty is and what sort of putty was used. There are a number of tips to take away glazing putty with out breaking the glass that I can present you.
Primarily, it comes all the way down to being affected person and cautious. Regardless of which method you utilize, bear in mind that you’re working with very skinny glass that doesn’t require a lot pressure to interrupt.
At all times hold your self protected when working round glass by sporting security glasses and gloves. You by no means know when you will have surprising breakage.
Possibility 1: Chisel & Scraper
I’ve tried in all probability greater than a dozen completely different instruments and methods to take away glazing putty, nevertheless it usually comes again to the previous commonplace. It’s not horny or thrilling or new, however for eradicating something from cement putty to caulk, a superb chisel can work wonders. And it’s tremendous low-cost and moveable!
I prefer to run the chisel alongside the joint of the putty and the glass first. It normally takes a number of passes, and with every successive cross, you’ll dig just a little additional between the putty and the glass, breaking that seal. Don’t attempt to get it in a single cross, or you’ll doubtless break the glass. Take your time and work it just a little bit at a time.
When you’ve obtained the putty and glass separated, then transfer to the joint between the putty and the wooden. Be further cautious right here to not gouge the wooden. Apart from breaking glass, that is the commonest problem with utilizing a pointy chisel on a mushy wooden sash. Once more, go sluggish and work methodically. Finally, the putty will start chipping or peeling off in chunks.
After the chisel has carried out its work, I take advantage of a ProScraper to scrape the rabbets clear of any extra putty in order that the glass will come out easily and never get caught up on any hassle areas.
Possibility 2: Steam Warmth
That is what I take advantage of in my store to take away glazing putty. It’s quick, clear, and really efficient. To not point out, it retains the mud down and that helps us work lead protected. You need to use any commonplace garments steamer like a Jiffy steamer and do spot work, or you possibly can construct a steam field (learn the way right here) fairly inexpensively. When you plan to do a variety of home windows, a steam field is completely the best way to go. For one or two home windows, the chisel and scraper is the very best.
After an hour within the steamer, the glazing putty is softened up and comes off a lot simpler. It additionally comes with the added bonus of serving to eradicating the paint in preparation for restoration. Take a look at my video of how steam glazing elimination works beneath.
Infrared Warmth
It’s a lot greater than plain crimson, it’s…INFRAred! Critically although, infrared warmth is an effective way to take away glazing putty. Like steam warmth it helps to melt the putty and make it extra pliable so that you could scrape it off with one thing so simple as a 5-in-1 or putty knife.
My most popular infrared heater for glazing putty on most sash is the IR Paint Stripper which is probably the most inexpensive infrared instrument in the marketplace. For very intricate sash with small items of glass a greater possibility can be the Speedheater Cobra which may match into smaller areas extra simply.
I place aluminum step flashing over the glass to guard it from the warmth, in any other case you’ll find yourself with damaged glass because of the intense warmth. Just some items which you can transfer from one part to a different is sufficient to defend your glass.
When utilizing any form of infrared and even common warmth weapons, watch out to maintain shifting. Don’t depart the heater in anybody location for too lengthy or you could find yourself burning the wooden and paint. It doesn’t take a lot warmth to melt the putty, so begin with quick 10-20 second bursts and step by step lengthen it out if essential.
What’s Cement Putty?
Cement putty is an actual factor and it’s extra frequent on metal home windows than wooden home windows, however it may well present up wherever. There are some putties that, as soon as totally cured, are as laborious as a rock and are utterly proof against steam, infrared, chemical compounds, or anything.
These have been glazing putties that have been blended with portland cement. They’re annoying and unpredictable as to the place you can see them, however whenever you do, there is just one factor to do and that’s to interrupt out the chisel. It dulls chisels and is precisely just like the identify implies, laborious as cement, however it would come out and it may be restored with new putty that received’t flip to stone.
That’s it! However perhaps there’s a query I didn’t cowl on this submit, although I can’t consider it. Let me know within the feedback beneath if there’s something that I missed about glazing putty.
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I like previous homes, working with my palms, and educating others the excitment of doing it your self! Every thing is teachable in case you solely give it the possibility.