First-floor windows are the second most common point of entry for home break-ins as 34% of burglars choose this method over others.
If you don’t have the best window security, you are at risk of a break-in. To protect yourself and your home from this risk, you must understand how to correctly replace windows when necessary.
Our complete and informative guide covers everything you need to know about window glass replacement. Read on to learn.
Types of Glass
Window glass replacement comes in many different forms. The different types of glass will have their own unique applications and properties.
The following are the most common types of glass that you can pick from for window replacement:
Insulated Glass
Insulated glass resists heat leakage better than most types of glass. For this reason, this glass can conserve a lot of energy.
You can buy this type of glass as a double pane or triple pane. The triple pane option is more energy-efficient than the former but costs more to purchase.
Insulated glass is made up of krypton and argon, two gases that offer different insulation properties. However, you can also find a vacuum insulation option.
The most common places you’d find insulated glass windows are:
- Office buildings
- Hospitals
- Luxury hotels
- VIP personnel residences
- Airport control towers
These windows work best in areas with a lot of coldness or heat.
Tempered Glass
Compared to regular glass, tempered glass is much stronger and therefore the safer choice. It is used for various reasons because it is scratch-resistant. This makes it a great option for residential homes with pets and kids.
Tempered glass can be used for much more than residential windows. A few of its other common applications include:
- Outdoor spaces
- Storefront doors
- Shower enclosures
- Display cases
- Solar panels
Although not all of these are window uses, the applications go to show you how versatile tempered glass is.
Along with its durability, tempered glass has heat-resistant and sound-reduction properties. One downside of this material is that it has to be cut or drilled before tempering.
Laminated Glass
Different types of windows might use laminated glass because it helps with safety and security. It is made with heat and pressure to bond together multiple glass layers.
This glass is hard to break unless a tremendous impact is made. For this reason, it is often used where the chance of impact is high. For example, you’d find laminated glass in large architectural buildings.
Although using this glass comes with many benefits, it is costly and a professional must install it for you. DIY window glass replacement of this kind is never a good idea.
Plexiglass
Plexiglass is a strong, but colorless form of plastic. It is shatter-resistant, lightweight, and has UV resistance. It is the ideal material for greenhouses but can be used in residential areas among other things.
Frosted Glass
For home window replacement, you might be attracted to the idea of frosted glass because it enhances brightness and much more. The glass is frosted through one of three methods; spray paint, glass etching, and window film.
You won’t want to use frosted glass for every window in the home as bathroom windows offer the ideal look for this material. Frosted glass won’t show a clear picture which is a downside for all-around window use.
Ordering a Window Glass Replacement
Once you have an idea of which type of glass you want to use, you might choose to order your replacement glass online. If you hire a company to handle the replacement for you, they’ll often do the ordering.
If you plan to order the glass replacement yourself, you’ll need to figure out the dimensions of your windows. The window replacement cost will greatly increase if you get the wrong size.
Using measuring tape, you’ll measure the area where the putty will be. Don’t stick with one measurement, do multiple to ensure your work is correct.
You can have someone help you with the measuring process to make things easier. Don’t forget to write down the measurements you come up with so you remember them when placing the order.
Window Replacement Process
Depending on the types of windows you have, the replacement process could be slightly different. However, most processes involve the following steps:
- Scraping off the old putty
- Cleaning leftover residue
- Kneading new putty into long strands
- Applying putty to sides of the window frame
- Wiggling glass panes into the frame
- Applying pressure
- Adding more putty
Fine-tuning the new window placement is the difficult part. If you don’t think DIY window glass replacement is in your nature, you can hire a company like Coloradoclassicexteriors.com to handle the process for you.
After you clean the edges of your window and allow the glazing to dry, there are more steps to take to finish the job. Most likely, you’ll need primer and paint to fix the window frame.
If necessary, use a dry cloth and oil to remove any excess putty.
Avoid Window Breakage
If you need a window glass replacement, you likely dealt with some breakage on your previous glass windows. If this is the case, you’ll want to follow these tips for avoiding window breakage:
- Cover windows with protective film
- Install window security screens
- Invest in strong glass
Although these aren’t the only steps you can take to prevent breakage, these simple tips can do wonders for your space.
Replacing Your Windows the Right Way
You might be looking to replace your windows because of breakage or simply for aesthetic purposes. Whatever your reasoning for a window glass replacement, this guide can help.
Replacing glass is not an easy process and allowing a professional to do the work for you is always recommended. To have your windows looking brand new again, find the best type of glass and avoid future breakage.
If you are searching for more topics on how to up your home’s look, check out the other informative posts on our blog.