How to Cut Glass and Cut Costs

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Cutting your own glass is a great way to save money on those home projects. PHOTO: FOTOLIA/POLES

One skill which can come in mighty handy to just about anyone — whether you live on OR off the farm — is knowing how to cut glass.

Now, many homesteaders and suburbanites have taken the time to become competent carpenters but for some reason, very few people have ever learned how to 1.) find free or inexpensive glass, and 2.) cut it once it's found.

Fact is, of course, a lot of folks are intimidated by glass because they assume it's too difficult to work with, or too dang costly in the first place — neither of which is true. Glass cutting is merely a skill that can be learned (like tanning, canning, or composting) and the techniques involved are not at all complicated. And anyway, it's just a matter of time before you'll need to use glass for your home, cold frame, greenhouse, solar collectors — or whatever.

Sure, you can substitute polyethylene. In a short time, though, the plastic will become yellowish and brittle and have to be replaced. Glass is all-around superior because it's durable, it's not that costly, it's forever transparent and — best of all — it's not made from energy-intensive, non-recyclable materials.

Types of Glass

Let's briefly look at some of the different kinds of glass you'll run across:

WINDOW GLASS is the most common variety you're likely to work with. It's available in single- and double-weight thicknesses.

PLATE GLASS is both stronger and thicker than double-strength window glass, while usually not more than 3/8" thick.

LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS: Two sheets of glass bonded together by an extremely tough, clear plastic.

MIRRORS need no introduction, but I might point out that you can scrape the reflective backing off most any mirror with a single-edge razor blade, and—presto!—you'll have another see-through pane.

Where to Find New and Used Glass

HARDWARE STORES usually sell window glass only, cut to order. (Here, you might as well let them cut the glass for you. That way, if anything gets broken, the fault lies with them not you.) While these outlets are convenient, they are also the most expensive everyday source of glass.