replacing broken glass in your window

How Can You Repair Your Broken Dual Pane Window?

15 April 2015

Britney Simpson

Dual pane windows are the best option for a well-insulated, energy efficient, and aesthetically pleasing home. However, when you begin to notice foggy glass or beads of condensation between the two panes of your window, the "repair or replace?" decision becomes a real pain. You may be reluctant to spend money on a new window, but aren't sure whether window glazing or pressure sealing is in your field of expertise. Fortunately, the repair process for these windows can be fairly simple with the right tools and a bit of patience. Read on to learn more about how you can repair dual pane windows, as well as the situations in which replacement is the better option.

How do you repair dual pane windows?

Dual and triple pane windows are designed to be well-insulated, with two separate seals preventing the entry of outside air or moisture into your home. Over time, these seals can crack and shrink, or may fail when struck with a high-pressure stream of water (for example, when pressure-washing your siding). As a result, the outer seal no longer prevents the entry of outside air -- causing the creation of a mini-ecosystem or water cycle between the outer and inner seals. If the inner seal also fails, your window can become very drafty.

There are two primary ways to repair these windows -- you can either replace the glass itself, or you can install a vent that keeps air and moisture from building between the panes. If the glass is at all chipped or cracked, your decision becomes easy. However, if you believe the problem is with a faulty seal, you may wish to repair that first.

• Repairing the glass

To repair the glass, you'll need to measure your window (horizontally, vertically, and diagonally) and take this measurement to a local hardware store. The store should be able to cut a piece of glass to perfect dimensions. You'll then need to remove the existing glass, which is held in with "glazing beads." After the glazing beads are removed, you can fit in the new glass and reinstall the beads. This can be a complex process (and varies by manufacturer), so you'll want to consult window experts for your windows brand for specific instructions on removal and re-installation of the glazing beads.

• Repairing the seal

If you'd like to repair only the seal, you should be able to install a vent pump -- this tiny device will remove the exterior air and moisture from the space between the two panes and vent it outside. These pumps can be purchased at specialty hardware stores and have an adhesive backing to affix to the inside of your window. You may need to remove the glazing beads and one pane of glass to install the vent pump, depending on your specific window brand.

Talk to experts like Healy Anytime Glass Co for more information.

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