frameless windows?

[small&rusty]

I've got the chance to pick up some free triple pane window glass under a warranty work claim. The panes were replacement for brand new glass that bowed, when the replacements showed up they were bowed just the same. The glass company is going to replace the replacement glass in the next few weeks, and its going to the dump unless someone wants it. My questions is how would one go about installing a pane of glass in a wall without a frame? Its all fixed pane glass, each window is about 1.5" thick.

 

[ddawg16]

Can you post some pics?

 

[JRC3]

I'm guessing just the sealed unit. Nothing but glass with the aluminum spacer glazed in between and filled with gas...No wood, aluminum, or vinyl around it.

Back when I used to clean windows, some would bow(concave) so far inward and often so much the panes of glass would touch. I was told once by Eagle that it's because of the drier being too strong. IDK. They must loose a lot of R value when that happens.

Triple panes have always been notorious for problems.

 

[James-W]

You could make a frame for them, it shouldn't be all that difficult. But why would anyone want the windows if they are defective?

 

[firebirdparts]

To answer your original question, window sashes are just wood. You have a hole the size of the glass, and wood on one side won't allow it to fall out. You put glazing putty on the other side. So you could do the same thing in a wall if you wanted to. Piece it together if you need to.

 

[small&rusty]

I'm guessing just the sealed unit. Nothing but glass with the aluminum spacer glazed in between and filled with gas...No wood, aluminum, or vinyl around it.

No pictures of the glass but its just like this only a triple pane. Only reason for wanting them would be they're free. Yes they are bowed, but these are supposed to be high end windows. The original bill was for over 100 grand.. I'm still debating if I want them or not, the window is 5'x8' and takes at least 4 people to move.

 

[JRC3]

...but these are supposed to be high end windows. The original bill was for over 100 grand...

The money is more about what surrounds and mounts the insulated units. If you've ever been to a glass shop it is nothing for them to make extra and scrap stripped down insulated units right to the dumpster. The cheapest part is smashing some glass over a spacer and smearing silicone over it all. The millwork, hardware, and install are the bulk of the cost.

Where do you want to use these? Garage, House?

 

[small&rusty]

Where do you want to use these? Garage, House?

I would be putting them in a small living space. One in the living room and the other in the bedroom. My building site sits on top of a hill over looking a valley with mountains in the background.

 

[JRC3]

I would be putting them in a small living space. One in the living room and the other in the bedroom. My building site sits on top of a hill over looking a valley with mountains in the background.

Here in OH, I've seen what seems to work and what fails...I'll see if I can find some pics of what I think is good. I see them set and trimmed out in 1x cedar and the biggest mistake always seems to be not tilting the "bottom" "sill". I'm guessing there's also some flashing done behind/under the cedar too. I'm no expert, I've just see things year after year and mentally note what holds up.

 

[kbs2244]

Do you have a existing rough opening or are going to build the wall to fit the glass?

I would go with building frame first.
Just to ease the install.

But if you cannot do that just build them in with lots of caulk.

In either case you can add venting in the wall and have the windows fixed.

 

[lakeroadster]

Keep in mind the glass will need replaced if it ever gets broken... and design the installation accordingly.

 

[small&rusty]

Do you have a existing rough opening or are going to build the wall to fit the glass?

I'd be building the wall to fit the glass or if I make a frame for them, to fit the frame.

The actual window frames are made from steel and could be replicated for the most part for the exterior, the interior could just be the same that gets siliconed in place?

 

[Drycreek]

25 years ago did a 24 foot wall of glass with double pane freebies (all tempered) in my family room. As stated build a base out of a quality durable wood tilt the bottom so the water will drain off and seal well with silicone. I used silicone both inside and out and held them all in with wood trim. I was lucky and a friend had given me a pile of teak that he’d left from a project and that was what I used but a quality Cedar would work as well. These were all 48 x 72 with the frameing I was able to use five windows and as far as I know they are still there. We sold the house about 12 years ago.

 

[small&rusty]

As stated build a base out of a quality durable wood tilt the bottom so the water will drain off and seal well with silicone. .

By tilt do you mean the entire window, and how much tilt is enough?

 

[Drycreek]

By tilt do you mean the entire window, and how much tilt is enough?

No just the bottom of the frame, (commonly called the window sill) I only tilted it about a 1/4 inch. That gives it just enough that when rain hits and runs down the window it will run off.

 

[ynned]

By tilt do you mean the entire window, and how much tilt is enough?

Just the sill.
Here's (I hope) a detail:

Years back I could still buy pre cut wooden sill board which had the slope milled into it, but a quick google didn't turn up anything. I'll keep looking.

Edit: I can't get the image to display. Here's the link

https://goo.gl/images/tzqevj

 

[Brian_WK]

I made mine out of aluminum L and vinyl trim. Mine were triangle shaped windows and double pane insulated. I used the vinyl as a jam that extended all the way through the wall as the frame and used aluminum L that was cut and welded to fit the triangle opening and used flat head screws to secure it to the vinyl. Then used high quality silicone between the aluminum angle and the windows in a sandwich. I hindsight I should have just siliconed it on the outside as it is going to be a pain to remove the silicone from both frames if one ever gets broken or loses its seal.

Brian

 

[ynned]

Here's a maybe clearer pic:

https://goo.gl/images/aB7qPh