In most cases, having a local hardware store or glass specialist cut the glass for you is best. Unless the pane is very small, order double-thick glass; single-thick glass breaks easily. Order shatter-resistant glass for a door, sidelight, or other high-traffic areas. Be sure to wear thick gloves, long clothing, and protective eyewear when handling shattered glass. Tiny, nearly invisible splinters can cause injury. To seal the window, apply traditional glazing putty (also called glazing compound) with a putty knife. You can also buy glazing putty in a caulk tube, but applying it with a knife creates a tighter bond and a smoother surface once you get the hang of it. For double-glazed panes, sealing tape usually needs to be replaced. You can often reuse rubber gaskets, but only if they’re unbroken and haven’t dried out and become brittle. Caulking needs to be scraped away and replaced. Wood molding can usually be reused, but you may want to replace it with new molding. We have tips for window glass replacement and repairing and sealing the glass in all kinds of window frames below. If the glass doesn’t easily come out in pieces, apply a grid of duct tape to the pane. Then, use a heat gun and scraper or chisel to remove all the putty and points and pull the pane out in one piece. Editor’s tip: When reinstalling the wood molding, make sure to angle the nails so they don’t touch the glass. Editor’s tip: If your pane is held in place with a rubber gasket, slip the gasket onto the edges of the glass, pressing firmly, so the gasket is tight at all points. Then set the pane into the frame. You may need to partially disassemble the frame first.
