Broken windows often occur, especially when you have children playing in the yard. Window glass repair is a handy skill to have. Homeowners may have to use this skill several times, so learning to fix a broken window is worth your while.
If you’ve bought the glass to replace a broken window, you now need to measure and cut it to fit. If you are intimidated of how to best cut the glass, then visit your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut the glass for you.
Some replacement windows can be very complicated to install, while others are quite simple. In general you will want to choose a replacement window that is comparatively simple to install, especially if you will be the one to do it. You can check this by getting one or two windows to install at the back of your property and then following the instructions carefully.
1. Put on the gloves. It is very important to protect your hands when dealing with broken glass. If there is still broken glass in the window, then remove it cautiously and place it in a trash can.
2. Use the measuring tape to measure the height and width of the open space in your window area.
3. Draw a diagram of your window, and fill in the measurements.
4. Below your diagram, take 1/8 inch off of each measurements. For instance, if your window measures 25 inches by 25 inches, then you should subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement. So the dimensions of your replacement glass should be 24-7/8 inches in each direction.
5. Use the grease pencil and measuring tape on your replacement glass to draw lines where the glass should be cut.
6. Give the glass retailer the measurements. Have them cut the new glass 1/16 of an inch smaller than the opening on each side. Lean the new pane of glass up against a wall in your work area until needed.
7. Reassemble the frame around the new pane of glass. Include the rubber seal and put putty around the opening to hold the glass in place.
8. Once you’ve finished caulking the window and replacing a new glass, allow it to cure at least a day before cleaning up any spillage on the glass. You’ll need to wait up to a week for the putty to cure enough to hold paint.
If you find this simple enough, you can always get more of the same without the trouble of hiring someone to to do the job for you.
