Window Glazing Compound

Between a rock and a hard place

In letters sent to customers this summer, glass and metal suppliers alike pointed to increasing raw material, fuel and operating costs as the reasons behind the price increases that took effect this June. (Visit GlassMagazine.com to see which suppliers raised prices and by how much.) Several industry representatives say prices have been deflated for years, and the increases were inevitable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index, prices for flat glass manufacturing dropped more than 8 percent from May 2001 to May 2011—prices were down 6.8 percent in May 2011 from May 2008.

As for raw materials, soda ash prices, for example, have slowly increased, up 3 percent from May 2010 to May 2011, according to the PPI. Construction labor costs have been steadily rising as well. According to the BLS, average hourly and weekly earnings of production and nonsupervisory construction employees were up about 5 percent in May, compared to May 2010.

While coal and natural gas prices have remained fairly steady in the last year, fuel costs have increased rapidly. At press time, gasoline prices were up $0.853 from a year earlier, a 31.3 percent increase, and diesel prices were up $0.926 from a year earlier, a 31.7 percent increase, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The rise in aluminum prices, however, has been the most dramatic, and "took people by surprise," says Rick Hamlin, executive vice president, national estimating, system design, Trainor Glass Co. According to the London Metal Exchange, at press time, primary aluminum prices were up 30 percent in June 2011 compared to the same time last year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index for Alumina and aluminum production and processing increased almost 12 percent from May 2010 to May 2011.

Rising costs can hurt glaziers most on projects that they have already bid. "We are bidding work now, and we can't always be sure [that] by the time we have to buy the material, the [cost] will be the same as when we bid," Enderle says.

Michael Haber, managing partner, W&W Glass , adds, "Our contract prices are usually locked in long before we actually purchase the materials needed for the project. Unfortunately, we are forced to absorb material [cost] increases. ... Unless our contract price is tied directly to a metal index, there is no way for us to pass along any material [cost] increases during the normal course of the project.

Phoenix Window Glazing Compound | GK

Window glazing compound, or ‘putty’, is a clay-like substance used to seal glass panes into wood framed windows. When installed, this clay-like substance oxidizes and becomes hard. The linseed oil usually contained in the compound speeds up the process of hardening the compound. However, with time, the compound may become extremely brittle. The cracks on the surface may no longer secure and seal the window panes. In this situation, old compound must be replaced with new glazing compound. The process itself is not difficult but is better to be trusted to professionals.

First, you need to use a putty knife to remove the old compound. If the glazing compound is still secured and cannot be removed with a knife, you can use the heat gun, which will soften the compound before its removal. Second, make sure you don’t remove the original glazing points along with the old glazing compound. If it happens, you will need to have new glazing points installed in your window. Use the edge of your putty knife to scrape away all traces of the old glazing compound from the glass and wood areas of the window. You need to have the area absolutely clean, to make sure that the new glazing compound properly seals the window in place. Use rubber gloves while working with the glazing compound. Work the compound with your hands until it becomes soft and malleable. Lay the sections and stripes of the glazing compound along the window panes, where the old glazing compound was The last point is pressing the new glazing compound against the glass and the frame. You should have the putty knife directed at a 45 degree angle from the glass. This is the best way toguarantee that the compound is pressed firmly into place against the glass and the window frame. As you can see, the whole process looks easy and does not cause any serious trouble. However, as always, you should better trust your glazing compound tasks to a professional, to guarantee that the whole process goes smoothly and does not cause you any problems.

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