Installing glass

If you’re thinking of measuring, ordering and installing your own glass, make sure you follow our comprehensive guide to measuring your glass correctly. Following our measuring advice could save you a lot of money and although some incorrectly sized glass can be cut down, toughened glass cannot be cut and this is the most popular form of glass supplied by Leadbitter Glass.

Always install glass into an ‘already fitted’ window or door, it will be much easier to handle and you will reduce the chance of glass breakage. Almost all glass supplied by Leadbitter Glass will be toughened glass but it is still a good idea to wear protective glass handling gloves as it is still possible to get glass splinters.

How to install

To learn how to install your new decorative glass, please read the following instructions and advice from the relevant section below.

Single Glazed Glass (Leaded/Bevelled)
Single Glazed Glass (Etched/Fused)
Double Glazed Glass (Leaded, Etched, Bevelled, Fused)

Installing Single Glazed Leaded/Bevelled Glass

If the leaded panel has been manufactured using an obscured glass like Minster or Stippolyte etc, the rough side of the glass should face outside the property. The smoothest side should face inside the property. This is to protect the coloured side which must be installed internally.

If the leaded panel is made using clear glass, there will be a sticker on the glass showing which way round to install the glass. If this sticker has been accidentally removed before installation, check back with our studio as we should be able to help you identify the correct side to fit externally. 

If your glass has bevels, it’s easy to identify the correct side to fit externally as all bevels should face the outside of the property when installed.

Installing Single Glazed Etched/Fused Glass

When installing single glazed etched/fused glass into a wooden frame, always paint, oil or stain the wood before the glass is installed. Wet varnish, oils and paints should never come into contact with the etched side of the glass.

The shiny side of the Etched or Fused Glass is the external side of the glass and should face outside when installed. The dull side is the etched side and should face inside the property. Fused glass would have the fused tiles on the shiny side of the glass (outside)

Never use putty on the etched side of the glass. Oils in putty smudge and spread very easily and they will damage the appearance of the glass. Putty oils are almost impossible to remove from sandblasted etched glass.

Silicone can be used on the outside of the glass (shiny side) to seal the glass to the frame. It is not recommended to use silicone on the etched glass side because unless an exceptional job is done, the silicone can easily smudge into the etching and become very hard to clean.

Installing Double Glazed Glass (Etched, Leaded, Bevelled, Fused)

All double-glazed units are installed the same way regardless of glass type (leaded, etched etc). Double glazed units have a decorative face and a low e face. The decorative face is the external face and will contain the design chosen, this could be leaded, etched, fused or bevelled glass. The low e face is the internal face, this is a clear panel of glass with no design which helps prevent heat escaping the home. We will leave a sticker on the low e face to indicate that when the glass is fitted, this should face internally.

Installing into PVC or Aluminum Frames

This is a simple procedure; you simply need to ensure you fit the glass the correct way around as described above so the decorative face (containing a leaded/etched design, fused tiles or bevels) is the external face, and the clear low e face is the internal face.

Installing into Wooden Frames

When installing a double-glazed unit into a wooden frame, using silicone could destroy the seal and void your warranty. You can find out more in the link below.

Visit our Timber Windows Installation Guide


Disclaimer

The tips and advice on this page are just a helpful insight into the measuring and installing of glass panels. Leadbitter Glass does not accept any responsibility if you are injured or suffer loss – financial or otherwise by following our tips and advice from this page. These tasks should only be undertaken by a competent person that is skilled in DIY and should not be attempted by DIY novices. If you are not a competent person in DIY we advise that you hire a tradesman to undertake your glass measuring and installations. Leadbitter Glass do not accept responsibility for the incorrect measuring of your glass. The only guaranteed way to get accurate glass sizes is to obtain the sizes from the window/door manufacturer at time of purchase.

Before you think about installing glass yourself, make sure you follow our comprehensive guide to measuring your glass correctly. Following our measuring advice could save you a lot of money and although some incorrectly sized glass can be cut down, toughened glass cannot be cut and this is the most popular form of glass supplied by Leadbitter Glass.

Always install glass into an ‘already fitted’ window or door, it will be much easier to handle and you will reduce the chance of glass breakage. Almost all glass supplied by Leadbitter Glass will be toughened glass but it is still a good idea to wear protective glass handling gloves. As glass installation should only be attempted by a skilled person, we have

Protect glass when using wooden beading

glazing5

To ensure that you do not damage the decorative glass when hammering in the beading nails, hold a piece of cardboard against the glass.

Glazing kitchen cabinets

glazing6

This is the simplest of glazing jobs. Lay the kitchen cabinet door down on a flat surface with the back of the door facing towards you. Cut out the old glass if necessary and clean away the old silicone. Insert the new piece of glass with the bottom of the glass resting on the rebated wood. Use a silicone gun to squeeze a silicone bead evenly around the edge of the glass as pictured above. Allow the glass to set overnight in a room of normal temperature.

Installing Decorative Glass

When installing decorative glass there is a correct way and an incorrect way to install the glass, especially if the glass is single glazed. If you have purchased decorative glass from us, we can tell you or your installer which way around your glass should be installed on request. Here are a few tips to help give you an idea on the correct installation:

Etched Glass or Sandblasted Glass (as it is known) single glazed – install with the shiny (un-etched) side to the outside of the home

Fused Tiles with Etched Glass – tiles and shiny side to the outside of the home

Leaded & Coloured Glass single glazed – colour to the inside of the home (if unsure, contact the studio)


Disclaimer

The tips and advice on this page are just a helpful insight in to measuring and installing of glass panels. Leadbitter Glass does not accept any responsibility if you are injured or suffer loss – financial or otherwise by following our tips and advice from this page. These tasks should only be undertaken by a competent person that is skilled in DIY and should not be attempted by DIY novices. If you are not a competent person in DIY we advise that you hire a tradesman to undertake your glass measuring and installations. Leadbitter Glass do not accept responsibility for the incorrect measuring of your glass. The only guaranteed way to get accurate glass sizes is to obtain the sizes from the window/door manufacturer at time of purchase.