Keep your home safe and secure.
Broken window glass is cause for immediate concern and must be dealt with right away. Not only can shards of glass cause injury, your home is no longer as secure as it was. Since it may not always be feasible to call in an expert for window repair, knowing replace a broken window will be helpful in an emergency. It can mean the difference between having an open window for a night or two and having your home safe and secure before the end of the day. Does this Spark an idea?
Clean Up
Before handling any broken glass, put on a heavy pair of work gloves. While you may think you can handle broken glass without gloves, sharp edges are often hidden in the shards of glass. Get all the glass off the floor first, vacuuming up the small pieces. You may be kneeling or putting your hands on the floor and you don't want the small shards cutting you. Then remove the broken glass from the window frame. Shattered glass pulls out quite easily. After all the glass is out, remove the old putty. You want to get all the putty off, but be careful not to damage the frame. If the putty is stuck to the frame, try heating it with a heat gun. As you're removing the putty, remove the glazier's points as well. These are small metal triangles driven into the frame. They sit underneath the putty, holding the glass to the frame. You may need a pair of pliers to remove the glaziers
Measuring for New Glass
Measure the window frame top to bottom and side to side, then subtract 1/16 inch from all four sides. This allows for an easy fit into the pane. Also, if your frame is made of wood, it will expand and contract depending on the humidity in the air. Take the measurements to a glass shop and have a new pane cut. Many hardware stores and home centers also cut glass.
Temporary Covering
If the glass store is closed or if you need to prevent rain, wind or insects from entering your house immediately, cover the open window with clear, thick plastic. You can also use a sturdy trash bag. Use packing tape or duct tape to hold the plastic in place. If possible, secure the plastic to the exterior of the window.
Install New Glass
Once all the old putty is cleaned off completely, apply a thin layer of putty -- approximately 1/16 inch around the frame. Place the the new glass in the frame and insert new glazier points about every 4 inches apart. Use a glazing tool to tap the points into the wood. Use a light blow, sliding the glazier tool up or across the surface of the glass. Don't strike the glass itself. Knead putty until it's pliable and roll it into pencil size strips. Start by applying it in one corner. When it's all in place around the window, smooth it with a putty knife.
Tags: broken glass, your home, glass cause, glass frame, glazier points
