Glazing Old Metal Windows

The operating hardware must be cleaned and lubricated every few years.

Glazing old metal windows.

In nyc has hundred year old steel windows about 15 high. Can the glaze brake down on the under side where the glass sits against the frame. The hinges should then be lubricated with a non greasy lubricant specially formulated for metals and with an anticorrosive agent. Clean off any remaining window glazing putty dirt or rust that may be on the metal window frame with steel wool or a cleaning cloth.

On older single pane windows the glass is usually surrounded by putty called glazing compound which holds the glass in place and seals out the weather. Step 1 putty removal. Then you squirt a bead of silicon on the back of the frame against which the glazing will push. Hi i brian lm working on a old metal prymide sky light window it leaks where the glass meets in the middle.

Loose or missing compound lets wind and rain leak in around the glass. To clean the hinges generally brass or bronze a cleaning solvent and fine bronze wool should be used. This hundred year old building on 57th st. The window sashes and frames need to be primed and painted with special paints for steel.

However a lot of earlier windows had muntins with ornately curved profiles sometimes called a queen anne section or a lamb s tongue profile. This putty often lasts decades but over the years it becomes rock hard cracks and even falls off the window. There is also a possibility that it contains asbestos so you should have it tested before large scale removal. Old glazing putty on steel windows is often much harder than on historic wood windows.

When bedding glass use only glazing compound formulated for metal windows. You sit the double glazing on rubber spacers wedging it in with more rubber at the top. All glazing putty that is missing or cracked should be replaced. If the metal window frame had rusted spots sand down the rust.

The basic idea is that you remove the old putty and glazing cleaning the frame back to the metal. The next steps are the same as if working with any type of windows. You push in the aluminum corner beads and you clean up the silicon. Can the glass be removed and install new putty around frame and then reinstall window thanks brian.

The process is pretty straight forward and mostly focuses on removing the old glazing and paint down to bare metal before applying fresh coatings. You fill in all the gaps with silicon.