Shattered glass in the window may be a safety hazard and may also interfere with the comfort of your house. It might be due to an accident or bad weather or even normal wear-and-tear overtime; it is important to repair the glass fast. Although this is a job that can be handled by yourself with the proper preparation and approach, many homeowners will feel like calling in a professional.
The second option is to substitute the window glass by yourself and save on money and also have the confidence of being able to handle future home repairs. It also provides you with an option of either just replacing the cracked glass or use the chance to install custom windows to have a better appearance and enhanced energy conservation. It is a time-consuming process, and one needs to be patient, safety conscious, and use the right type of materials to make the repair permanent.
Preparing For The Repair
It is important to make sure the surrounding of the window is safe and secure before commencing the replacement. Glass may be broken in small fragments, it is better to clear the working place and put down a protective covering. The use of safety gloves and eyewear can help avoid injuries during work. When you are ready, take out all the big shards so that you are less likely to get a cut.
The second process is to measure the opening where the glass is going to be replaced. The reason why its measurements should be accurate is that improperly fitted piece of glass may have some gaps that allow drafts or moisture to enter. Provided that the frame is spoilt, you might have to secure it once again before replacing the glass. In other instances, homeowners risk by placing these orders online when they know they need more than just the glass replaced. This is more convenient, particularly in case you are in search of certain sizes or styles.
Removing The Damaged Glass
After the preparation, all the broken glass should be taken away. Working around the edges carefully with a putty knife or scraper will loosen the old glazing compound or caulking that the glass is clamped to. You should also take your time and take care not to spoil the window frame when doing so. When all the compound is gone, the glass pieces can be carefully removed and discarded.
When the glass is taken off, wipe the frame clean. The remaining putty, nails or residual materials may obstruct installation of the new glass. The frame must be obstruction free and smooth. A properly made frame is one that the new glass will fit in closely and is also likely to give your proper durability. At this stage in your upgrade, a switch to a custom window can have both long term design and energy savings advantages.
Installing The New Glass
The new glass must also be cut according to the measurements that you made. A lot of home improvement stores will cut glass to fit or you can have glass delivered to you. Prior to the glass fitting into the frame, a coat or sealant of fresh glazing compound is applied along the edge to ensure that the glass stays in place. Lightly press the glass into place ensuring that it does not leave any gaps.
Once the glass has been put in place, additional glazing compound is put around the edges to fix it in place. With a putty knife, clean up the compound and make it have a clean appearance. One should not paint or finish the frame until it has completely dried. This is not only the restoration of the safety of the window, but also its look, making it blend in with the rest of your house.
Assuring Sustainability
The replacement of broken glass is not only about the immediate repair but also a long term attribute is making sure the glass is stronger. It will be useful to inspect your windows regularly, checking whether the drafts, cracks, or some moisture could be noticed and prevent the occurrence of a bigger problem. Not only does the well maintained window look better, it also helps to control energy costs, keeping your home well insulated.
The long term solution may be to invest in new windows, or in homes with frequent experience of broken or inefficient windows, it may be preferable. Now, with just a few clicks of a mouse, one can easily order windows online with a variety of designs, materials, and energy saving options. The custom windows can also be designed to match your fashion of the house and they are very durable hence making them a wise investment in case one does not want to spend on repairs in the future.
Conclusion
Knowing to safely replace broken glass on a window will help homeowners to have power to maintain their homes. This is achievable with the proper precautions and measures, whereby the task can be performed without using professional services. In addition to regaining the comfort and safety, this repair also provides you with the opportunity to enhance the efficiency and the appearance of your home.
Be it merely changing the glass or you choose to experiment with this kind of project, doing this sort of work makes one gain confidence in DIY capabilities. Also, with the added advantage of ordering windows online, homeowners can enjoy more flexibility when it comes to upgrading their living quarters at their own convenience whenever they desire it to be done.
