Tips For Replacing Your Broken Window Glass

If you have a crack in a small window, you might be able to repair it yourself if you have basic home improvement skills. The bigger the window, the harder it is to replace the glass since a big pane of glass is difficult to handle and work with. The easiest solution is to hire a professional to repair your window. You can remove the broken glass along with the frame and take the frame to a glass store to be fitted with glass, or you can hire someone to come to your home and do the repairs on the spot. Here are a few tips on how to repair the damaged glass.

Remove Or Secure The Broken Glass

If you can't get a glass contractor to come to your home right away, you want to secure the glass so no one is hurt by falling shards. If the glass is just cracked, you can tape cardboard over it to protect it until the glass is removed. If the glass has a hole in it and pieces of glass are falling out, it may be safer to remove the glass from the frame.

Be sure to wear protective gloves when you work with the broken window glass. That way, you can carefully grab the shards and wiggle them out of the frame. Remove all the glass so you won't have to worry about it falling out and hurting someone. If you want to remove glass that is just shattered but still in one piece, it will be easier to do it if you remove the frame from the window and place it flat on a table while you work. If the glass is still in one piece, you'll have to remove the putty and glazier's points before you can lift out the glass.

Remove The Putty

If you plan to take your window frame to a glass shop, you may not need to remove the glass if you can cover it to protect it from further damage. However, if you want to replace the glass yourself, you have to remove the putty as well as the glazier's points from the frame. It helps if you blow hot air from a hair dryer onto the putty as you work. This makes it softer so you can pull it out easier. Use a putty knife and work your way around the frame pulling up the putty in sections and popping out the glazier's points as you go. Glazier's points are small metal pieces that hold the glass in the frame, and they are spaced every few inches around the window.

Replace The Glass

When you replace the pane of glass, you fit it into the frame and then insert the glazier's points. The metal pieces press against the glass and penetrate the frame, so the glass is held securely while you apply the putty. Work the putty into a soft consistency and then apply it around the frame so the window is sealed in place. The final step is to paint the window frame and putty, so the putty isn't a visible eyesore.

While the instructions for replacing window glass seem simple, they can be tricky to actually carry out. For instance, if you use too little or too much putty, you may run into problems. If you use too little, air may leak around the glass, or the glass may vibrate and be at risk of cracking. If you use too much, it will detract from the appearance of the window. Handling the glass is very difficult too. It's easier for professionals like Ryan's All Glass because they have the proper equipment, such as suction handles, that makes it easier for them. Even if you replace a small window, you'll probably need someone to help you hold the glass while you install it.


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