What is the best way to remove glass from an old 4 pane window?

Ed taylor
by Ed taylor
Window is quite old, I do not want to break glass and remove. Tried scrapping
the old caulk but still can't seem to loosen glass. I do not want to damage the wood
holding the glass. Any special tool to use?
  10 answers
  • Pam Walker Pam Walker on Nov 22, 2015
    A razor blade. Gently run the blade along the edges of the bars holding the glass in. DON'T go TOO deep too fast. Make multiple shallow passes over the edges of the rods & they will eventually gently come out. The windows I have are the same. Our house is over 75 years old & ours has those tiny wood bars (looks like skinny sticks) on them that hold the glass into place on each side of the windows. :)
    • See 1 previous
    • Pam Walker Pam Walker on Nov 22, 2015
      @Lauren365 Yeah, that's them LOL. I just didn't know the proper name for'em lol. Thank ya hun .. I've learned something new today lol. :D GOOD LUCK with'em hun :)
  • Phil Phil on Nov 22, 2015
    I agree with Pam a razor blade would do the trick. It the are painted you may want to use some paint thinner to get the excess paint off to find where the wood in attached to the main frame which would make it easier for separation.
  • Marlene Haigh Marlene Haigh on Nov 22, 2015
    Once you get all the glazing off(I used a five in one tool) then there are points holding the glass in place. You must remove the points to get the glass out.
  • RJ RJ on Nov 22, 2015
    heat gun or hair dryer, it will soften the glazing
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Nov 22, 2015
    WOW I would trade you in a minute!! I have many windows without the glass and I need more with the glass! Why don't you go on Varage Sale in your area or Craigslist and see if you can trade with someone? They would more than likely be more than happy to trade for the one with the glass!
  • Jennie Herrick Jennie Herrick on Nov 26, 2015
    After you have removed the caulk from BOTH SIDES of the glass, check for little pieces of metal holding the glass into place called "glazing points" these can be removed with a flathead screwdriver very easily, then the glass should drop right out. Good luck!
  • Alton Alton on Nov 28, 2015
    Old glass has waves and imperfections in it so if your glass is smooth then it is just glass and I would plan on replacing it anyway .
  • Bob Bonvillian Bob Bonvillian on Nov 28, 2015
    REMOVE OLD GLAZING , A 5 IN ONE TOOL WORKS PRETTY GOOD .AFTER GLAZE IS REMOVED REMOVE THE LITTLE GLAZING POINTS , GLASS SHOULD COME OUT PRETTY EASY , BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL , WEAR EYE PROTECTION .
  • H H on Nov 29, 2015
    Put wide sticky tape all over the glass on both sides before you do anything so if it breaks it will stay together.
  • Marlene Haigh Marlene Haigh on Nov 29, 2015
    I used a wood chisel to remove the old glazing