Is there a market for old window glass?

[CatherineB]

Just wondering...

We are not decided whether we will go down the route of secondary glazing, or double glazing the existing frames in our sash windows. We can, technically, do either. I am leaning towards secondary, because it seems less irreversible, but DH is concerned about spoiling the appearance of our windows.

We have quite a bit of original glass in the windows at the moment, which I would be sorry to lose if we go down the double glazing route. One question in my mind is whether there is a market for reusing the panes of glass that we have removed, if we do replace the existing glass with slimlite or similar.

It would slightly reduce the pain if we knew that someone, even if not us, were able to use and appreciate the glass we're so sacreligiously thinking of removing!

Does anyone know?

 

[MatthewC]

My understanding is that older glass is more difficult to cut - I think it becomes more brittle with age and therefore even a skilled glazier will have lots of wastage.

 

[biffvernon]

I think that is an urban myth. As far as I know there's no physical reason why old glass should be more difficult to cut. I've certainly cut a fair bit and not noticed any difference so long as it's fairly clean. I doubt there's much of a market unless it is very special, crown glass or particularly nice cylinder glass, as the effort of removing it and obtaining worthwhile sized pieces would be too much for most folk.

What is your glass like? I'll reuse it for you

 

[Penners]

I think that is an urban myth.

Nope. It's a myth out here in the countryside, too.

 

[Moneypit]

Well, we have been fortunate enough to gain neighbours cast offs as they have gone down the dreaded upvc route. Our house is 1886 as is neighbours and i believe the windows (and most of the glass) to be original.

Lots of care needed to remove old putty and free 2mm thick glass but once out I can confirm that it does cut ok. You do need a good quality glasscutter (the oil filled types are best).

Biff is right that it is a lot of effort but our sashes are sixes over twos so even a broken pane out of one of the lower sashes does for the smaller upper sash panes.

We feel it is worthwhile where our existing sashes have over the years acquired some replacement panes. It is very obvious when there is nice wavy glass next to a perfectly flat pane.

 

[robgil]

you know thye way you always find blue and white pottery fragments in the gardens of old houses?
has anyone ever found the really thin glass with a swirly rainbow coloured mother of pearl type coating on it?
underneath my concrete floor where ive removed some of the floor to repair the sodden brick plinth down in the clay a wee bit ive found loads of this type of glass.

 

[philpjuk100]

I`m not good at glass cutting but have no more failures with old glass than new, and whats all this about cutting glass with scissors under water? I have been told about it by three folks and even seen it on you tube but really! Tried to cut a car door mirror down this way,failed!phil.

 

[Tom]

you know thye way you always find blue and white pottery fragments in the gardens of old houses?
has anyone ever found the really thin glass with a swirly rainbow coloured mother of pearl type coating on it?
underneath my concrete floor where ive removed some of the floor to repair the sodden brick plinth down in the clay a wee bit ive found loads of this type of glass.

I've found quite a lot in the garden. Not large pieces but up to about 3" x 2" maximum.