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Home Repair

DIY: How to Fix a Broken Window Glass

This handy DIY for repairing a broken window glass article will show you how to repair a broken glass window, quickly and easily. It will save you the cost of buying a new window, which can be expensive. You will still need to buy a glass pane in the exact measurements as the broken one, but it’s much cheaper than replacing the entire window.broken window

The most difficult part of repairing a broken window glass yourself is getting a new pane in the exact measurements. You will need to measure the exact width and length of the grooves where the pane belongs, which are found in the window frame.

You can typically go to a hardware store with your measurements and have them cut a pane of glass in the measurements you provide. You should have them cut it 1/8th of an inch shorter than your precise groove measurements, so the glass will be able to shrink and expand, depending on the weather.

Step 1: Use a pair of pliers to remove all shards of glass from the window frame. You should be careful and wear safety goggles, so you don’t get glass chips into your eye.

Step 2: Use a heating gun to warm the old frame putty, then scrape it off with a putty knife. It may take a little while to soften the putty, especially on older window frames, but eventually the heating gun will do the trick.

fixed WindowStep 3: Using a putty knife, remove the glazing points under the old putty. These are triangular points that will be discovered underneath the old putty.

Step 4: Inspect and remove debris from the rabbet grooves.

Step 5: Apply new dabs or beads of putty on the rabbet groove, on the glass side.

Step 6: Gently push the edges of the new glass pane into the putty, until it forms a protective seal. The putty should be allowed to spread out and form a seal that protects against moisture.

Step 7: Position your new window pane into the rabbet grooves.

Step 8: Put down a minimum of two new glaze points, particularly in the window sash area.

Step 9: Using a putty knife or flat head screwdriver, push one corner of all the glazing points down into the window sash.men repairing window

Step 10: Roll a rope of putty, around 2 inches thick, and press it along the length of the glass pane, on all four sides.

Step 11: Smooth your glazing putty while removing any excess.

Step 12: Wait for the putty to dry, then repaint it.

There you have it! It’s much more cost effective to DIY for repairing a broken window glass, and now that you’ve done it once, you’ll be able to do it again in the future.