For anyone else trying this, I’d add: check the frame for soft spots first. I skipped that step and had to redo one when the wood started crumbling.
Not gonna lie, I’ve been burned by rotten frames more than once—totally get the frustration. But honestly, I’m a little skeptical about silicone being a long-term fix for double-pane stuff. I’ve had it fog up anyway, even with careful sealing. Sometimes it feels like you’re just delaying the inevitable, you know? Ever try using butyl tape instead? It’s messier, but I swear it holds up better for weird old windows.
I’ve had it fog up anyway, even with careful sealing. Sometimes it feels like you’re just delaying the inevitable, you know?
Totally hear you. I tried silicone on a set of old sashes and got maybe a year before the fog monster returned. Butyl tape is stickier than my kid’s hands after pancakes, but it does last longer. Still, nothing beats swapping out the glass if you can swing it... but who has that kind of patience?
Man, I can’t count how many times I’ve tried to outsmart window fog. I remember one summer, I spent a whole weekend going full MacGyver—scraping out old glazing, running fresh silicone, even tossing in some desiccant packets for good measure. Thought I’d finally beaten it. Fast forward to January, and there it was again, that milky haze creeping in like it owned the place. It’s like the windows know when you’ve just gotten comfortable.
Butyl tape does hang in there longer, I’ll give you that. The stuff is a pain to work with, though. You get it on your hands and suddenly everything you touch is sticky for the next three hours. It’s almost like it migrates to your tools, your shirt, and somehow the dog’s fur too. Still, if you’re trying to get another year or two out of an old sash before committing to new glass, it’s not the worst option.
Swapping out the glass is honestly the only real fix, though. I know it’s a hassle—especially if you’re dealing with old frames that have seen better days. I’ve done it a few times, and every single time I find myself knee-deep in splinters and muttering about why I didn’t just buy a new window. But when you finally get that clear view again, it’s worth it... at least until the next project pops up.
Turning those old windows into wall displays is a solid move if you’re tired of fighting the fog. At least then, if they cloud up again, you can just call it “vintage charm” and move on.
I totally get what you mean about butyl tape—every time I use it, I end up peeling bits off my hands for hours. Have you ever tried heating it up a little before applying? Sometimes that helps, but then again, it also seems to get everywhere even faster. I’m with you on the glass replacement being the only real fix for fog, though. No matter how many tricks I try, once that seal’s gone, it’s just a matter of time.
Turning old windows into wall displays is something I’ve seen more folks doing lately. Do you actually clean out the foggy panes first or just leave them as is for that “weathered” look? I always wonder if people try to scrape out the haze or just embrace it. Also, do you hang them as-is or add some kind of backing? I’ve seen some people put photos or pressed flowers behind the glass and it looks pretty cool.
One thing I’m curious about: do those old frames ever still leak paint flakes or dust after hanging? Or do you seal them somehow before putting them up? Always wondered if there’s a trick to keeping the mess down when repurposing stuff like that...
I’ve tried both ways—sometimes I’ll clean the glass, but honestly, if the foggy look fits the vibe I’m going for, I just leave it. It kind of adds character, you know? As for the frames, yeah, old paint can be a pain. I usually give them a light sanding and sometimes a clear sealer spray to keep flakes down. Never thought about adding a backing, but pressed flowers sound awesome. Has anyone ever run into issues with bugs getting trapped inside those double panes after they’re hung up? That happened to me once and it was weirdly hard to fix.
That bug thing is more common than you’d think, especially with old double-pane windows that aren’t sealed tight anymore. If you’re reusing them for displays, I recommend running a bead of clear silicone caulk around the edge before you hang them up—just enough to fill any gaps, but not so much it looks messy. I’ve also popped the panes apart (carefully) and cleaned inside, but honestly, that’s a pain and sometimes not worth the hassle if the glass is fragile. Pressed flowers look great though, just make sure everything’s really dry or you’ll get moisture trapped in there too.
- Not a fan of popping old panes apart—nine times out of ten, the glass chips or the spacer bends.
- Silicone caulk works, but only if you’re careful not to leave gaps or air bubbles. That’s where bugs sneak in.
- Pressed flowers are cool, but even a little moisture can fog things up fast. I’ve seen folks try those silica gel packets inside the frame... not pretty, but it can help.
- If the window’s really falling apart, sometimes it’s honestly easier (and safer) to swap in fresh single glass and just keep the old frame for looks. Just my two cents.
I tried the pressed flower thing once and yeah, moisture got me too. Ended up with this weird foggy patch in one corner that wouldn’t go away. I’ve also had panes crack when I tried to pry them out, which was a pain. Ended up just cleaning up the old glass really well and sealing the edges with clear caulk. Not perfect, but it looks cool from a few feet back. Sometimes I think the little imperfections add to the vibe anyway.
The moisture thing is a real headache with pressed flowers. I’ve had that happen with a few clients who wanted those vintage window displays—looks great for a while, then suddenly you get that ghostly haze or even a little mold if the seal isn’t tight. Did you try using silica gel or something to really dry out the flowers first? Sometimes I think people rush that part and it comes back to bite them. Not saying you did, just... learned from my own impatience there.
Cracked panes are rough. Old window glass is so unpredictable—sometimes it’ll pop right out, other times it’s like it’s fused in there. I’ve found running a utility knife along the putty helps, but even then, you’re rolling the dice. Ever try leaving the glass in and just cleaning it up, maybe giving it a light sand to take off any sharp edges? I’ve even sprayed a little frosted glass paint on the inside when the surface was too scratched to be pretty.
The clear caulk trick is solid, especially if you want to keep dust and moisture out. I’ve used the paintable kind before and touched up around the edges with a little off-white so it blends in better with the wood. Not perfect, but once it’s hanging up, no one’s going to notice unless they’re right on top of it.
Imperfections do give it character, though. There’s something about old glass with bubbles or waves in it that just feels right for this kind of project. Do you ever worry about long-term durability with these displays? I’ve seen some start to separate if they’re hung somewhere that gets direct sun or humidity swings. Maybe overkill, but I sometimes run a bead of silicone all around just for peace of mind.
Curious if you’ve ever tried adding a little backing—like thin plywood or even fabric—to give the piece more structure? Sometimes that helps if the frame is getting wobbly after all those years.
That ghostly haze is the bane of my existence with these things. I had one window where the pressed ferns looked perfect for, like, two months, then suddenly it was like a haunted house in there—white fuzz, little spots. I did use silica gel packs, but maybe not enough? Or maybe I just got impatient and didn’t let the flowers dry long enough. Patience is not my strong suit when I’m excited about a project.
I’ve tried leaving the glass in, yeah. Sometimes it’s just not worth the hassle to get it out, especially if the old putty is basically fossilized. I usually run a razor blade around the edges, hope for the best, and if it cracks, well, that’s “rustic charm” now. The frosted glass paint trick is genius for covering up those deep scratches—I’ve used it on a couple of window frames that were too far gone for regular cleaning. Gives it a kind of dreamy look.
As for the caulk, I’m with you on the clear stuff. I did try silicone once, but man, what a mess if you ever need to open it back up. The paintable caulk is more forgiving if you’re a bit sloppy (which I always am). I’ve never noticed anyone looking close enough to spot the touch-ups, unless they’re right up against the wall squinting.
Long-term durability is a bit of a gamble. My living room gets blasted with afternoon sun and I swear every year something warps or separates a little more. I did start backing a few frames with thin plywood after one basically folded in half during a humid summer. It adds some weight but makes the whole thing feel less like it’ll fall apart if you sneeze near it.
Ever tried using museum gel or anything like that to keep the pressed flowers in place? I’ve heard mixed things about it, but I’m curious if it helps with the moisture or just makes a sticky mess.