Broken Windows: What to Do

Broken windows can be a nightmare. A common reason could be a child throwing their ball through your window? If you have a broken window in your house, then you need to decide if you want to repair it or replace it. Which one should you do, though? Is one better than the other?

If you decide to fix it, then first you will need to remove the window sash and lay it flat on a work surface. Next remove what is left of the glass. You will want to place a towel over the glass to finish breaking it and then wiggle the pieces out.

There is a glazing compound on the glass perimeter and it will have to be removed. You can use a chisel or a flathead screwdriver to remove it if it is too hard to break off with your hands. You will need to remove any glazing points with a pair of long-nose pliers.

Next, brush some fast-drying primer on any bare wood that is exposed. This will prevent overly dry wood from absorbing all of the glazing compound's oils. Measure the opening so that you can buy the right size glass to fill it. Go to your glass dealer and have them cut the right size for you. Apply a thin bead of caulking to the frame before you install the glass. Then use a thin layer of glazing compound and push it into place with a putty knife. Place your new pane into the frame and press hard enough to embed it into the compound, but not so hard that you break it.

You will want to put at least two glazing points onto the glass with the points facing the frame on each side. You may want to use additional points so that the maximum span between the points is no more than eight inches. Using your putty knife, press the points into the wood. Press glazier's compound into the corner between the glass and the wood frame with your fingers.

Using your putty knife, press the compound into place against the glass and wood frame. Complete each side with one long continuous stroke. Scrape off any excess with a knife or your putty knife and clean your new pane. Be very careful not to disturb the compound.

Put the sash back into place and let the glazing compound to dry for at least a week or longer. Once it is dry, you can paint over the glazing with your exterior trim paint. This will seal and protect it from weather conditions. You will want to mask off the mirror with tape and paint it by hand. Now that you know how to replace your own window pain, do you want to or would you rather pay someone else to replace it. You can probably save some money if you do it yourself, though.