Interior glazing is a glazing method where the glass pane is fitted from the inside of the frame, secured with glazing beads or putty. Unlike exterior glazing, where the glass is placed from the outside, interior glazing allows the installer to work from within the building. This technique is commonly used in residential construction and renovation projects.
How interior glazing works
With interior glazing, the glass pane is pressed into the rebate of the frame from the interior side of the building. The glass is then held in place using glazing beads — small strips of wood, plastic or aluminium that are clipped or screwed into the frame — or by applying putty along the edges.
The process typically follows these steps:
- The frame is mounted in the wall opening with the rebate facing inward.
- A bed of putty or sealing tape is applied to the rebate to create a weathertight seal.
- The glass pane is placed into the rebate from inside the room.
- Glazing beads are fitted on the interior side to secure the pane, or putty is applied and smoothed.
Interior glazing offers practical advantages. Since the work is done from inside, it is easier to install glass on upper floors without scaffolding. It also means that the glazing beads are accessible from inside, which simplifies future glass replacement.
Security considerations
One drawback of interior glazing is that the glazing beads are accessible from within the building, not from outside. This is actually a security advantage compared to exterior glazing, where a burglar could potentially remove the beads and lift out the glass. With interior glazing, the glass cannot be removed from the outside without breaking it, making it a more secure option for ground-floor windows and doors.
In modern construction, interior glazing is the standard approach for most window and door frames. Manufacturers design their frame profiles specifically to accommodate this method, with integrated clip systems for the glazing beads.
Related terms
- Glazing
- Frame
- Glazing bead
- Rebate
- Putty
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