1. Know Your Skill Level
If you’ve got plenty of home repair “do-it-yourself” experience, you’ll probably be able to handle doing a replacement yourself, however, it’s important to recognise your limitations. If you’ve never really been the handy type, it might be best to hire a professional who knows exactly how to get the job done right.
Similarly, if you have only basic maintenance skills and are upgrading to more insulated or tinted glass, or an aluminium frame etc, that might require advanced skills and special installation techniques, we recommend that you consult an expert first.
Installing a window improperly can lead to poor sealing, drafts and gaps, or even cracking. Avoid causing problems (and even more expenses) later on by underestimating your abilities now. Also, bear in mind that working with glass carries a good deal of risk. Glass has sharp edges and can lead to injury and even death. Do not attempt a DIY repair if you have any doubts. Leave it to the professionals who are best equipped to deal with any installation and removal of the old broken glass too.
2. Tools and Supplies
Most of these tools are available from your local hardware store. Choose a DIY version of you are only doing one, or a small number of repairs. (The high-end tools which are available for purchase are usually most suitable for multiple usage and professional level users with advanced skills.) Estimates only as follows:
- Work gloves: $10-$15
- Glass cutter: $5-$10
- Razor blade scraper ($8-$10)
- Paint: $10 (2 Litres tin is about $50-$60)
- Putty: $12-$14
- Paintbrush: $7-$20
- Putty knife: $6-$8
- Chisel: $12-$26
- Glazier points: $5-$10
- Pliers: $9-$20
- Glass of proper size: $80-$930* This price depends on many variations. Contact us for a quote!
If you’re going the DIY route, in addition to the glass itself you will need a variety of tools and supplies, including a glass cutter, razor blade scraper, and heat gun. Unless you have these supplies on hand, you can expect to spend another $150 to $250 on supplies. However, if you believe you can do the job yourself and already have most of the materials on hand, you are able to repair it for just the cost of the glass*. Contact us for advice on what is the best option. OUr Matra Glass team is at hand to advise you and assist you.
Shop Around for a Glazier
If you decide to use a glazier (installer), shop around and get quotes to compare prices for labor. TIP: Online reviews can be an excellent resource to find out about prices and window glass installers in your area. Keep a running list of estimates you receive, then compare them with the customer feedback you’ve found. Remember that often it’s best to spend a little more money to make sure the job will be done correctly.
Weigh the pros and cons of upgrading glass. There’s always going to be a “cheapest option”, and window glass is no different. Consider, though, that the benefits of upgrading to more energy-efficient glass are often well worth the investment. Energy Star qualified windows can potentially save the average homeowner hundreds of dollars a year in heating and cooling costs. Plus, it can make your home feel much more comfortable throughout the year.
Reasons to Replace Broken Window Glass
If the glass is beyond repair, replacement will be necessary. The most common reasons to replace window glass are because the pane is cracked, because the pane is no longer transparent or because the homeowner wants to upgrade to a more efficient type of glass such as double glazing.
Most glass replacements are done because a window has been damaged in some way, which could be due to a storm and high winds, a falling branch, or even a stray footy or cricket ball during a neighborhood game. In some cases, the glass will appear milky, foggy or dirty and can’t be cleaned properly. This could mean the window seals are blown. This condition happens with double- or triple-glazed windows. In such cases no matter how much the glass is cleaned, streaks, condensation or other marks remain. These imperfections can detract from the home’s overall “street appeal” and can possibly ruin interior views to the outside.
Benefits of Glass Replacement
Some of the advantages of replacing the glass in a window include an immediate solution to a broken pane, affordability and the opportunity to upgrade the window. Replacing the entire window, which includes the frame as well as the sash, will be a much lengthier process than simply replacing the pane. As a result, a simple glass replacement often costs less money than replacing the window. Even if the actual window is a special design, or an older frame or anything else that may be pricey to replace, the glass should not be super expensive (unless it is a customised shape, colour or thickness).
Over time, older windows may let in air from the outside and start to transfer temperatures, which reduces energy efficiency in the home. This is not only a problem for the environmentally conscious but also a problem for anyone looking to regulate heating/cooling in the home – and reduce heating and cooling energy bills. Because there are so many different types of glass windows on the market, it is up to each homeowner to determine which type of glass is the best for their home. Remember, you may always ask us for advice. We love to help. Just contact us or call our friendly team on Phone: (02) 9622 4488. WE HAVE A RANGE OF SERVICES AND CAN ADVISE.
One of the advantages of glass replacement is that homeowners can upgrade to any of the following options:
- “Low-E glass” to minimise solar warming in the home
- “Argon glass” to increase energy efficiency
- “Tempered glass” to prevent future damage to the pane
- “Designer glass” for an attractive look
Steps to Replace Window Glass in the Home (Putty style window frame)
Replacing the glass in a window doesn’t always require professional assistance, but it may be best if there are several windows to fix, if the homeowner doesn’t have the right tools, or if the window is unusually shaped.
The first step in the process will be to remove the broken or old glass. The trim of the frame may have to be removed in order to facilitate this step. This work has to be done safely with gloves and a small hammer as well as a rag to pick up the pieces of glass that fall in the process. After that, the frame can be cleaned and any old putty removed from the edges. If there is old caulk stuck to the frame, this must be scraped off to ensure a tight fit for the new piece of glass to be installed. Then, the replacement glass can be fitted into the existing frame. It must fit perfectly, or it will need to be cut with a glass cutter to be the right size.
Once in place, glazier’s points, or small triangular metal pieces, can be used to hold the glass in the right spot. The next step is to apply a thin layer of putty to the edge of the frame where it meets the glass. The putty should be scraped so that it is completely flat and even. The putty can either be painted or covered with the existing layer of trim to match the rest of the windows in the home. If a homeowner has difficulty with any of these steps, a professional can be hired to replace the glass.
Source: Home Advisor
