How to Replace Broken Window Glass
windows in your home. While windows (along with doors) take up only about 10%-15% of the total area of the house, they are responsible for most (over 80%) of the total amount of light and heat that a room receives. Windows are also important for ensuring that the house gets proper circulation of air. Keeping in view the value of windows as a part of your home, they should ideally be in perfect condition at all times. Window glass repair, hence, needs to be done as soon as possible, if the glass of any window gets broken.
Window repair, broadly speaking, comprises of two major steps: removing the old broken window glass, and installing the new glass component. For removal of the broken glass, the glazing material of the window has to be removed first. Generally, putty knives are used for this purpose. The window glaze has to be removed from the point it comes in touch with the wood. For easy removal of the glazing, heat guns are used. The heat generated by these devices make the glaze material malleable. Then, they can be cut off by a putty knife easily. Other instruments, like a putty chaser, are also available for the specific purpose of drilling out the glazing material of the broken window.
Installing the new glass forms the next step in the window glass repair process. Duct tapes need to be placed on either side of the concerned window. Care should be taken to ensure that the glass does not get cracked while being installed. There remains a risk of getting skin cuts while repairing the window. Hence, it is advisable to don gloves (preferably, of leather) while performing window repair.
The glass surface that is to be fit into the window has to be carefully measured and cut out. This ensures that, the new glass is of the exact requisite dimensions. Before actually putting it into the window the surface of the window glass need also be thoroughly cleaned and wiped. Cutters are generally used to bring the window glass to its proper shape and size. For easily cutting the glass, the cutters should ideally be dipped in oil before usage.
While repairing a broken window glass, you will find a significant area of wood that comes into view. These wooden parts also need to be treated with primers, before the new window glass is installed. Oil-based primers are ideal for this purpose. This makes sure that excess moisture does not get into the room via the borders of the window. Treatment of the wooden parts by a primer also ensures that the new glass do not get cracked or stained after being installed.
The cost of window glass repair varies in the range of $200-$400. In certain cases, repairing a window can cost up to $600 or slightly more as well. Given the crucial role windows play in the maintenance of proper balance of light, heat and air in a house, a broken glass should be repaired immediately after detection.
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