How to Cut Glass to Size at Home

Whether your neighbour accidentally broke your favourite photo frame window or you need to replace an existing door glass insert, getting the right size is a crucial step. Glass is usually standard, but there are also options with shaped edges and other decorative elements. Luckily, glass can be cut to size at home using a mat cutter, such as Logan’s Model 750 Simplex Plus Mat Cutter or Model 704 Glass Cutter that adapts to any of the Company’s mat cutting frames.

Before you start cutting your glass it is best to place it on a flat, cushioned work surface and apply a thin layer of lubricant to the proposed area of the glass to be cut. This will prevent the dryness of the glass from leaving marks or scratches during the cutting process.

You should use a framing square to take measurements of the opening of your glass barn door at three points – top, middle, and bottom. This will help you to account for any slight variations in the width of the opening and ensure that the glass barn door will cover the entire space when closed. You will also want to take into account any hardware, such as hinges and handles, that may need to be installed.

After taking your measurements, you can use the Company’s online Glass Size Calculator to determine the amount of glass you will need. The calculator will add the size of the frame to allow for the addition of hardware and the resulting dimensions should be used when ordering your glass.

If you have your glass measured to the correct size, it is time to begin cutting. Before attempting to cut the glass it is best to put a piece of scrap matboard on your work surface to protect it from damage. It is also recommended to wear white cotton gloves, as the process of cutting glass can produce a lot of dust and debris.

Once you have placed the piece of glass on your work surface, remove the mat guide rail from the Company’s Model 750 Simplex Plus Mat cutter and lift the squaring arm. The squaring arm is designed to measure the thickness of materials such as glass and acrylic, but can also be used to score them into pieces.

With the squaring arm in place, carefully align it with the proposed line of the glass and slowly pull the cutter towards you with moderate pressure. This should create a clean, even score mark on the surface of the glass that will snap cleanly along the line when struck against another object.

The next step is to separate the piece of glass along the score line. This can be done by placing your thumbs on the underside of the glass one on each side of the score and twisting it, or by putting the heavy end of the cutter’s handle against the score line and tapping it lightly. Be careful when doing this, as the tempered and laminated glass is extremely fragile and can be easily broken by the application of too much force.

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