"Ended up with glass shards everywhere and a frame that didn't quite fit anymore."
Been there—older homes definitely have their quirks. If it helps, window replacements are notoriously tricky because frames warp over time and measurements aren't always straightforward. Even pros sometimes struggle to get a perfect fit on the first go. Don't be discouraged; DIY projects often teach us more through hiccups than smooth sailing. Next time, maybe consider energy-efficient panes while you're at it—makes the hassle feel more worthwhile in the end.
Had a similar experience last summer—thought I'd measured everything perfectly, but nope, the frame had other ideas. Ended up shaving down the edges slightly to make it fit. Older houses just love throwing curveballs like that...
Ran into something similar a few months back when replacing a storm window. Thought it'd be straightforward, but nope...the frame was warped just enough to make things interesting. Had to carefully plane down one side without weakening the wood too much—definitely tested my patience. Curious if anyone's tried using glazing tape instead of putty for older frames? Heard mixed opinions and can't decide if it's worth the switch.
I've actually switched to glazing tape on a couple of older windows, and honestly, it's been pretty solid. Easier to apply neatly than putty, especially if you're not super experienced. Just make sure the frame surface is clean and smooth beforehand...otherwise adhesion can be iffy.
"Just make sure the frame surface is clean and smooth beforehand...otherwise adhesion can be iffy."
Good tip, thanks! I'm thinking of tackling a similar project soon—did you have to sand down the frames much, or was a quick clean-up enough? I'm hoping it's not too involved...
"did you have to sand down the frames much, or was a quick clean-up enough?"
Honestly, it depends a lot on the condition of your frames. If they're relatively smooth and just a bit dirty, a good wipe-down with some rubbing alcohol or mild detergent usually does the trick. But if you've got old paint flakes, rough spots, or uneven surfaces, sanding really is necessary—otherwise, you'll just end up redoing the job later when the seal inevitably fails.
I learned that the hard way once. Thought I'd skip sanding because the frames looked "good enough," and sure enough, after a couple months, moisture started creeping in around the edges. Ended up having to pull everything apart and start over... not fun.
Also curious—are you replacing just the glass or putting in a whole new glazing compound too? The latter can change how much prep work you actually need to do.
Had a similar experience myself—thought the frame was decent enough to skip sanding. Nope. A few months later, moisture started showing up in the corners, and I had to redo the whole thing. Honestly, it's usually better to just sand a bit more than you think you need to... saves headaches later. Are you dealing with wood or metal frames though? That can make a difference too.
Totally agree with you on sanding—it always seems like the step you can skip, but it rarely works out that way. I learned the hard way too, especially with wood frames. Wood just loves soaking up moisture, and if you don't prep it right, you're basically inviting trouble down the road. Metal frames are a bit more forgiving, but still... a good sanding and primer coat can save you from rust and peeling paint.
One thing I'd add is that choosing the right sealant matters a lot too. I used some cheap stuff once thinking "sealant is sealant," but nope, it cracked within months and let moisture seep in again. Now I spend a little extra on quality silicone or caulk—it's worth every penny to avoid redoing the job later.
Anyway, props for giving it a shot yourself. DIY window fixes can be tricky, but they're definitely doable if you're patient and thorough with prep work.
"Metal frames are a bit more forgiving, but still... a good sanding and primer coat can save you from rust and peeling paint."
Yeah, learned that lesson myself recently. Thought I could skip the primer coat on a metal basement window frame because it looked fine after sanding. Big mistake—within a year, I had rust spots popping through the paint. Ended up having to redo it properly anyway. Definitely agree that quality sealants and primers aren't the place to cut corners... live and learn, right?
Been there myself with skipping primer—thought I was saving time, ended up doubling the work later. Funny how DIY shortcuts always seem to bite back eventually, huh? As for cracked glass, honestly, unless it's a small pane or something decorative, I'd probably just replace it. Tried patching a bigger window once and it never looked right... plus, the crack kept spreading anyway. Sometimes it's just easier (and cheaper in the long run) to bite the bullet and swap it out.