Putty

Putty is a generic term for a plastic material similar in texture to clay or dough typically used in domestic construction and repair as a sealant or filler.

Specifically putty has been used extensively in glazing for fixing and sealing panes of glass into wooden frames (or sashes), although its use is decreasing with the prevalence of PVC and metal window frames which use either synthetic sealants such as silicone.

Putty was historically made by mixing a base of whiting (finely ground chalk) with linseed oil in various proportions, however a number of synthetic alternatives exist.

The term "putty" is also used to describe a light beigeish colour often used for computer equipment.

Other meanings

• Silly Putty - a toy
• PuTTY - a terminal emulator