I've been working on fixing up some windows around the house lately, and I learned real quick that goggles and gloves are NOT optional, haha. Got a nasty little cut from broken glass last weekend—lesson learned. Also figured out that taping cardboard to the floor catches those sneaky tiny shards you miss during cleanup.
Curious if anyone has other handy tricks or clever hacks for keeping safe (and sane) during window DIYs?
"Got a nasty little cut from broken glass last weekend—lesson learned."
Been there myself, glass shards are sneaky little things. Couple extra tips I've picked up:
- Keep a damp cloth or sponge handy to pick up tiny pieces after sweeping; it grabs the bits you can't even see.
- Use painter's tape on the glass surface before removing panes—it helps hold fragments together if they crack unexpectedly.
- Wear thick-soled shoes; stepping on glass splinters barefoot isn't fun (ask me how I know...).
Sounds like you're already getting the hang of it though, stay safe out there.
Yikes, glass splinters in bare feet...been there too, not my favorite memory. Another thing I've learned the hard way is to wear gloves—thin ones won't cut it (pun intended). Anyone found gloves that protect but aren't super bulky?
I've tried a bunch of gloves over the years, and honestly, finding that sweet spot between protection and dexterity is tricky. My go-to lately has been nitrile-coated gloves—they're thin enough to feel what you're doing but tough enough to keep most glass shards out. They're not bulletproof, but way better than those bulky oven mitts some places sell as "safety gloves," lol. Learned that lesson after fumbling around like a bear trying to thread a needle...
I wish I'd thought of the cardboard trick sooner—spent ages picking tiny glass bits out of the carpet once. And yeah, nitrile gloves are lifesavers...tried leather once, felt like I was wearing baseball mitts. Never again, lol.
Totally feel your pain on the leather gloves thing. I tried them once too, thinking thicker = safer...but nope, zero dexterity and felt like I was fumbling around blindfolded. Nitrile gloves strike that nice balance between protection and actually being able to grip stuff. And don't beat yourself up over the cardboard trick—honestly, we've all had those "wish I'd known sooner" moments. Just part of the DIY learning curve, right?
Nitrile gloves are decent, but honestly, I find they tear way too easily if you're dealing with sharp edges or old window frames. I've been using those mechanic-style gloves lately—still flexible enough to grip small parts, but tougher against cuts. Might be worth giving a shot...
"I've been using those mechanic-style gloves lately—still flexible enough to grip small parts, but tougher against cuts."
Are those mechanic gloves breathable enough for longer jobs? I tried some heavy-duty gloves once and my hands felt like they were in a sauna after half an hour... not fun. Also, do you lose much dexterity with them? I've been sticking with nitrile mostly because I hate fumbling around with screws or tiny window clips. Maybe there's a happy medium out there somewhere?
I've tried mechanic gloves myself, and while they're definitely tougher than nitrile, I found them a bit too bulky for really precise tasks. Like you mentioned, handling tiny screws or window clips can get frustrating fast if your gloves are even slightly thick. Plus, breathability was an issue for me too—after about 45 minutes, my hands felt pretty clammy and uncomfortable.
One alternative I've had good luck with is cut-resistant gloves made from HPPE (high-performance polyethylene). They're thinner and lighter than typical mechanic gloves but still offer decent protection against cuts and scrapes. The best part is they're way more breathable—I can wear them comfortably for hours without feeling like my hands are trapped in a sauna.
Dexterity-wise, they're not quite as thin as nitrile gloves, but they're close enough that I rarely have trouble picking up small parts or handling delicate window hardware. If you're doing something super precise, you might still prefer nitrile, but for most window repairs—especially when dealing with broken glass or sharp edges—they're a solid compromise.
One thing to keep in mind though: these HPPE gloves aren't waterproof or chemical-resistant like nitrile. So if you're using solvents or sealants during your window repairs, you'll probably want to switch back to nitrile temporarily.
Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there since it sounds like you're looking for something between heavy-duty mechanic gloves and thin nitrile ones. Might be worth giving them a shot next time you're tackling windows...
I've tried HPPE gloves before, and they're decent for general handling, but honestly, I still prefer nitrile when dealing with tiny window clips or screws. HPPE can feel slippery sometimes, especially when working with smooth plastic parts...just my two cents.