Dual Pane Window Glass Repair
Posted: Sunday, January 23, 2005
by johnr
How To Install Windows
For the past few weeks, I have been explaining how to repair a broken window pane in your home. But, what if you have dual pane windows? Is the process the same? Well, pretty much, except for a couple of variations. So, let's review the single pane repair process, and I will point out the differences regarding dual pane windows.
When you get the new IGU home, the installation is the same as the single pane window. Now, what if only one side of the IGU has been broken? Many times the outer pane will break, but the inside pane is fine. You can order a whole new IGU like we just did, or, if you're the adventurous type, you can order only the single pane of glass that was broken and replace it. I'm going to explain how to do it, then i'm going to tell you the things that can go wrong. After you have the window pane on the table with the surrounding frame removed, you will see a black rubber type substance around the edge where the spacer is applied. This is a butyl sealant, and you have to separate the broken glass from this butyl. The best way to do it is to take a utility knife with a new blade and break through the butyl where it meets the broken glass. Then, take a new hacksaw blade, and push it into the area where you sparated the butyl from the glass. You don't want the hacksaw blade to be attached to a hacksaw. Using your hand, saw back and forth as you work your way around the edge of the glass. This should allow you to remove the glass. Once that's done, lay rags on top of the good piece of glass to catch any debris, and scrape the surface of the spacer that will be contacting the new glass. Use a putty knife. Then, remove the rags and debris. When you are ready to put the new glass on, clean the inside of the good piece of glass that you didn't remove. Remember, once you install the new glass, any debris or finger marks on the inside will be permanently sealed. So, clean it real good and check it from all angles. Do the same to the side of the new glass that will be going to the inside of the IGU. Then, run a thin bead of clear silicone around the entire perimeter of the spacer. Set your new glass on the spacer and use finger pressure to adhere the glass to the silicone all the way around.Then, come in from the side, and run silicone around the side where the glass and spacer meet. Cover the window opening with something for 24 hours. You do not want to touch the IGU for 24 hours. The silicone needs to cure. After 24 hours, you can assemble the unit and install it back into the opening.
There are a couple of things that can go wrong. The first one is leaving marks on the inside portion of the glass. Once you seal the glass, you cannot clean what's between the panes. The other thing involves condensation between the panes. If you have even the slightest break in the silicone seal around the glass, chances are you will begin to see moisture form as soon as the nights get cold and the days get warm. You are going to have to decide if you are confident enough in your ability to do the job right, or if it's better to pay the extra money to have it done for you. Just because you pay someone to do it, doesn't mean you still won't encounter the same problems. The difference is, they have to guarantee their IGU for a minimum of 1 year. I have received many units over the years that had marks in between the glass. The beauty of it is the manufacturer can't dispute it, because there's no way anyone else could have done it except them.
OK, what if the window frames are vinyl instead of aluminum? Well, the main difference is the glass in a vinyl window no longer has the rubber gasket around the edge. You don't remove the opposite corner screws and separate the frame from the glass. What they do is put either silicone or a two sided tape on the lip of the frame where the glass rests. That's what holds the glass in the frame, then they apply a snap in stop on all four sides of the glass. So, you have to remove the stops first, then turn over the panel and break the seal holding the glass to the frame using a utility knife. Wear gloves during this procedure. If only one side of the IGU is broken, don't even think about repairing just the one side. You will never get that IGU out of the frame without breaking the other piece of glass in the process. But, on the positive side, you can remove the stops without taking the panel out if it's a slider. You can then measure the dimensions of the glass, and order the new IGU. That way you eliminate any need to temporarily cover up your window. The same is true for the stationary portion of a slider, or a picture window. Before you install the new IGU, be sure and clean the lip that had the tape or silicone, and apply either silicone or tape. Either will work.
You will discover that replacing an IGU in an aluminum frame window is a whole lot easier than a vinyl window. But, in either case, you can do it yourself and save a few bucks.
John Rocco has been installing
replacement windows since 1978.
To learn more, visit How To Install Windows
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More commentsGreat article. However, what if the window frame is wood? Are the any tips on opening up the frame? If Vinyl has strips and Aluminum has screws, what does the wood frame have?On my wood-framed thermal windows, the IGU is held in from the outside by a vinyl molding. This molding goes between the IGU and wood frame and has a continous barb that locks into a groove in the wood frame. You have to push this molding away from the wood (to release the barb from the groove in the wood) and pry it away from the frame at the same time. This process is made harder by the clear, non-hardening glue used to seal the glass to the wood frame. I did one window recently and the first half took 3 hours to get out of the frame, but the second half took only 3 minutes. Hope this helps!
I am looking to replace my vinyl dual pane windows (hopefully keep the frame and replace just the glass) with stronger glass or plexan to prevent them from breaking from golf balls. Do you recommend any solution?A glass shop can remove the glass from the frame and replace it with a new dual pane glass unit that has lexan or plexiglass on the outside pane.
I am replacing single pane glass from a large, custom woodframe, circa 1950's, with six panels. I have new IGU's, and plan to just set them on thin rubber blocks (to allow expansion/contraction) and silicone them in. THey will be held in place by new wood trim, 1/4 round or similar. That's how the originals were done as well. A) do I need to silicone both the IGU on the woodframe, and the wood trim to the wood frame and the glass? Or only the latter? and B) am I missing anything else?Thanks so much.
I visited a hardware/window store that sold Andersen, Marvin, Larsen and a few other brands. Very knowledgeable help that clued me in to the fact that these new fiberglass and aluminum clad wood windows are not really designed to have the IGU (integral glass unit) replaced separate from the sash. If the seal or glass breaks, you replace the whole sash (glass with window frame). I was shocked. This would probably double or triple the cost of repair and require me to find an exact duplicate of the window when that happens. He told me I would probably send in the entire sash to make sure the replacement was exact (with a hole in my house in the meantime). I'll be buying new high quality storm windows for my existing single pane windows instead. Even with the expense of repairing my existing windows, I'll come out ahead now and in the future.
Message for John Rocco:I have a lot of fog between the panes of glass in my windows, thus indicating a broken seal.Is there a special gas (Argon) that is installed between the panes of glass? If so, how can I install the gas?If your windows have the LowE glass, they most likely had argon gas as well. However, you do not have to have the gas included in the replacement glass.
johnr,I have a lot of windows in a 25 year old home. The seal is broken on about 8 out of 26 of them. Appoximately how much can be saved by replacing one glass in a double pane aluminum window vs. buying a new IGU doing it yourself? How much savings if you have a pro replace one pane? Is it better just to replace than try to repair? Is it hard to match the old IGU's? I want to save money, but I want years of problem free energy efficient windows more.Chris, if you want to avoid problems, have the IGU made by a company. If you do the installation yourself you will save some money. I do not recommend trying to fix the IGu that is bad. Just get a new one. If you aren't comfortable replacing them, get an estimate from a glass shop to do it.
Where can I get instructions for constructing my own IGU? I did it years ago in a class and it wasn't hard, but I'd like to see a more current treatment since some of the products used then have been improved. Elizabeth in Rockville, MD
Hi John, I have a large 4' x 8' IGU in my home rec studio and I am having a problem with resonance between the two panes of glass of this IGU. How complicated would it be to remove the airspace between the two panes and just sandwich the 1/8" (I think its 1/8") glasses together? Can this be done on a IGU this big? The glass is installed in an interior wall, no weather elements.
Thanks
RobRob, you would be better served to remove the IGU and replace it with a piece of 1/4" thick plate glass. I'm not sure why there is an IGU in the interior of the building, unless it has to do with noise supression.
I have several dual pane windows that the glass needs to be replaced. When we installed the new dual pane windows 28 years ago, I never thought I would have to replace the glass, unless they were broken. Question: Would it be better to replace the dual panes with 3/8" glass, or go back with dual panes again? I don't want to ever replace the glass again. What should I do?If the dual panes are 3/8" overall thickness, you can put 3/8" glass in there, but it's going to be kind of expensive and its going to weigh a lot more than what you have in there now. If you replace the glass with new Dual pane units, the odds are you wont have to replace them again, because there have been improvements made in the last 28 years. You purchased the windows back when the dual pane technology was fairly new. Having said that, the units you buy will only be as good as the company that makes them, so there is no guarantee that it wont happen again. If the current windows are aluminum frames, A third option is to upgrade to vinyl dual pane windows with the LowE Glass and argon gas. Any reputable manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty on materials and labor for as long as you live in the house. You may want to price all 3 options first. But if the vinyl upgrade offers the most benefits, so if its cost effective, thats the way to go. I'm not supposed to try and sell stuff here, but in your case, if you decide to explore the vinyl window option, I sell an installation DVD on my site that will show you how to do the job yourself and save on the labor. I also sell the vinyl windows at a competitive price.I cracked my front-room fixed vinyl double pane window, I am not sure how the old glass can be removed without taking the frame out. Is the sealed unit instailed with enough space at the top and the side to push it up and to the side to remove it?
Al, there should be snap in stops on all 4 sides where the glass disappears into the frame. They can be either on the inside or outside. Take the stops out and then go on the other side and use a utility knife with a sharp blade to cut away the adhesive that holds the glass to the vinyl. The glass unit will then come out. Before you install the new glass unit, clean off the old adhesive and apply new adhesive. Sometimes the adhesive used is tape and sometimes its silicone or something similar. Seperating the glass from the vinyl can be a pain in the rear.
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