How to Repair Glass Windows at Your Home

Broken glass is typically something that everybody tries to steer clear of. However, if you’re the gutsy DIY type and you have a broken window at your home that needs to be repaired, you may be tempted to tackle the job yourself. To repair a glass window, you’ll first need to buy a replacement glass pane or insulated glass unit. You may be able to order replacement glass from the window manufacturer, otherwise, you can have a glass pane or insulated glass unit made by a local glass fabricator. Once you have your replacement glass ready, gather the following tools:      

• Safety glasses
• A good pair of gloves
• A roll of masking tape
• A handheld razorblade
• A glazing tool
• Silicone caulk
• A rubber mallet or rubber-handled screwdriver
• A lifting suction cup (optional) 

Begin by placing strips of masking tape in an asterisk shape on both the inside and outside of the broken glass. This will help the glass pane stay intact as you’re removing it from the window. 

Starting on the outside of your home, use the handheld razorblade to cut away the silicone bead around the glass. First, remove the side pieces, then remove the bottom piece, and lastly, the top piece. Note: It’s important to remove the top piece last because once this piece of silicone bead is removed, the glass will start to come out.

Next, move to the inside of your home and cut away the silicone bead around the glass in the same way that you did on the outside. Once you’ve removed all the beading, it’s time to remove the glass. If you’re working alone, it’s helpful to use a lifting suction cup to securely remove the glass. However, if you’re doing the job with someone else, an extra set of hands should suffice.

Carefully remove the broken glass pane and discard it. Next, use the glazing tool to remove any remaining pieces of glass in the window frame and scrape away any leftover pieces of silicone bead to create a clean surface area for the new glass to sit.

Once the window frame is clear, start on the outside and run a fresh bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the frame. There should be a small U-shaped channel around the edge of the window frame. Fill this channel with silicone but be mindful not to apply too much. Then, insert the new glass pane into the window frame and apply firm yet even pressure along the edges to get the glass to bond with the silicone bead.

Next, put the new silicone beads on the outside of the glass and use the rubber mallet or handle of the screwdriver to gently tap them into place. Then, do the same on the inside. That’s it! 

Turn to the Professionals at Kennesaw Glass & Mirror

If you’re not quite ready to try repairing a broken window by yourself, you can turn to the professionals at Kennesaw Glass & Mirror. Since 1987, we’ve been the premier glass company serving local residents and business owners. Our team is committed to providing top-tier products and expert glass installation services for our customers and we back our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.