If you're a homeowner with kids, or are even clumsy yourself,
you will inevitably find yourself with a broken window, or two,
or three, as the years pass. Knowing how to fix a broken window
can save a lot of money on house calls, and is an easy fix with
just a little bit of knowledge.
For most homeowners, fixing a window
is not complicated, especially if you live in a home built before
the 1990s. Most windows are held into place within the window frame
by putty. In many cases, a window may be completely removed from
the window sash, or you can replace the glass in the window frame
while it is still in place. For the purposes of this article, we
will describe fixing a window that remains in place.
Reading the guidelines below, you'll
see that replacing a broken window can be accomplished in
less than an hour. Before you start, measure the new glass for the
window, purchase window glazing compound, a putty knife, work gloves
to protect your hands from sharp pieces of glass, and fine grit
sandpaper to smooth the groove where the new glass will sit. You
may also want to purchase a small bag of replacement glazing points.
Step One: Wearing protective gloves,
remove broken glass from the window frame. Snap remaining glass
out of the frame, or tap with a hammer to break.
Step Two: Using a flat head screwdriver
or putty knife, scrape old putty and remains of glass from inside
the window sash, where the old window was installed. You may hit
some glazing points, which are small, metal pieces that helped hold
the old glass pane into place. Remove these with your screwdriver,
a pliers or the putty knife.
Step Three: Lightly sand the area
you just cleaned. Then, with a putty knife, place a thin bead or
strip of glaze or window putty into the grove, just enough to give
the new pane of glass something to adhere to.
Step Four: Place the new pane of glass
into the groove. Using the putty knife, place a good amount of putty
or glazing compound onto the tip of the putty knife, and holding
it at an angle, firmly spread the compound over the edge of the
glass and up against the back side of the window frame.
Hint: One edge of the putty knife
should be lightly resting on the glass, and the other side
of the putty knife blade should be resting on the wood part of the
window frame.
Step Five: Using the putty knife,
smooth out the putty with long, even strokes for a smooth finish.
Dipping the putty knife into a cup of water will help to smooth
the sticky putty or glaze and allow for an even finish.
Step Six: Allow the glaze or putty
to dry completely, following instructions on the tube or
can, and then paint, if desired.
