The two panes of glass in your double glazed window work together (along with the inert gas between them) to keep your home warm and comfortable. Double glazing is a huge step up from single glazing, offering much better thermal performance, reducing your energy bills and making your home more affordable. They are, however, only good if they’re in full working order.
Once they start to break down, they begin to lose their effectiveness almost immediately and can even promote damaging condensation within the home, leading to the build-up of black mould and damp issues. Black mould threatens both the structural integrity of your home and the health of the occupants, so it is important to ensure that your double glazing is in good working order.
If one pane of your double glazed window breaks, then you’ll either need to replace the whole window, or just replace the broken glass. A replacement glass pane isn’t too difficult to achieve with modern double glazed windows, so long as you have some DIY experience. However, the double glazed window won’t perform as well long term – so replacing the entire unity might still be your best bet.
Knowing the proper way to remove the panes of glass for replacing or maintenance is incredibly important to ensure that you don’t damage the pane and force an entire window unit replacement. The best way to ensure this is to hire a professional if you don’t have much DIY experience. They will have the tools and the knowledge required to perform the job with minimal risk to your installation.
Knowing when to get a replacement.
You’ll know that you need to replace glass in your unit if you spot any of the following issues:
- The glass has clouded over. You won’t be able to see clearly through the glass, nor will you be able to wipe away the cloudiness from the outside or the inside. This means the clouding is occurring between the two panes.
- You can see droplets appearing inside the window pane. This will be the next step after the clouding of the glass. As the condensation increases, water droplets will start to form as condensation, a clear sign that the glass needs replacing.
- There are chips or cracks in the glass. They can be quite hard to spot at first glance, but you must check for them regularly as they can worsen over time and could cause a big problem if the broken window glass shatters entirely, leaving a mess to clean up too.
- A draft. If you can feel air coming through the window even when it is shut, you need to look at window glass replacement as the draft will reduce your home’s energy efficiency.
Choosing to do it yourself.
The replacement of the glass will be somewhere around £50-£150 depending on the size of the window. So if you would prefer to do it yourself to save on labour costs, here is a rough step by step guide on how to achieve it:
- Remove the wedge gasket from the inside of the window. Start from the middle and work your way out from there, as this will give you the best leverage to pull it out without tearing it.
- Head to the outside of the window and remove the double glazing beads using a putty knife. Leave the top one till last, so it doesn’t fall on your head.
- Remove the old sealant.
- Keep track of the glazing packs and locations before removing them from the top and sides for easy replacement later.
- Remove the blown unit. Use a double cup suction lifter if you have one, as this provides the safest way to move the glass without the risk of breaking it.
- Check the glazing packs at the bottom of the window and replace the unit on top.
- Keep it secure whilst you return the glazing packs to their original location ensuring proper alignment.
- Keep it secure whilst you return their beads to their original location, starting at the top.
- Apply new sealant.
- Replace the wedge gasket to lock it all into place and prevent further damage.
- Allow for the sealant to completely dry.
*Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions if specific instructions are provided.
Whilst the process is simple, it can be a bit fiddly, and handling glass is always dangerous. If you’re not feeling confident, we recommend hiring a professional to do it for you. If you’re replacing a broken pane or damaged glass, then the danger is even more pronounced. Even a cracked window pane will require specialist tools like a glass cutter to safely remove the pane without breaking.
If you need to remove the remaining glass from a broken window then this is best left to the professionals. It’s not just the glass you need to worry about at this point, but clearing out the shards from the window frame itself to allow for a clean installation of the new glass. If this is the case for you, then seeking a professional for the double glazed glass replacement process is best.
Note: The above advice is suitable for a standard casement window in the UK, other window types like bay windows, sash or tilt and turn windows will require a different technique.
Additional Equipment
- drop cloth around the work area
- protective gloves
- safety goggles
- sealant
- putty knife
Plus any equipment you need for proper safety precautions – e.g. overalls and boots in the event of a drop.
The Benefits of Proper Double Glazing Maintenance
Maintaining your double glazing is crucial for ensuring that your private home remains thermally efficient, secure, and comfortable. To avoid window replacement or glass pane replacement you have to keep your windows in top condition.
When working right, modern laminated glass double glazing will maintain your house’s temperature with ease and ensure a comfortable home with low running costs and a low carbon footprint to boot.
When things go wrong, it’s immediately obvious. Condensation can build up between the panes of glass, and drafts in your home will be more apparent.
To keep away from those issues, it’s essential to recognise when your double glazing needs to be repaired or changed.
To get your double glazing benefits back, you have one of two options. Replacement glass for the single pane that’s causing the problem – replacing the entire unit. But which is best?
Replacement Glass vs Replacement Unit
Replacing just the glass is always going to be the cheaper option compared to replacing the entire window with modern glazing and frame. But just because it’s cheaper doesn’t mean it’s necessarily better.
You can replace one pane of glass in a double glazed unit, but when you remove one pane, the inert gas between the two panes designed to slow heat transfer and prevent heat loss disappears too. Air between the two panes when reinstalled will do something to prevent rapid heat loss, but your double glazing won’t be as effective as before.
If you want all the benefits of double glazing after a pane of glass has broken, the only option is to replace the unit entirely. This isn’t the most cost effective option upfront, but long term it’s worth noting that the enhanced energy efficiency is enough to boost your savings significantly. New double glazed windows will eventually pay for themselves.
Conclusion
Double glazing is a vital feature of modern homes, bringing effective insulation, security, and noise reduction your way. However, to keep those benefits you need to ensure the glazing is in full working order. By keeping an eye out for damage or deterioration, you can make certain that your property remains comfortable and secure for years to come.
Replacing A Pane Of Glass: FAQs
How frequently must I check my double glazing for signs of harm?
It’s an excellent idea to check your double glazing for signs of damage or deterioration as a minimum once a month. This will help you catch any issues early on and prevent them from getting worse over time.
Can I repair my double glazing myself?
While it’s far more cost effective to repair or replace a pane of glass yourself, it is complex and could potentially be dangerous even when you carefully remove the pane. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is good to hire a professional who has the equipment and understanding to do the process properly and effectively.
What are the most common signs a pane needs replacing?
The most common signs are:
- Clouding or condensation between the panes of glass
- Chips or cracks within the pane of glass
- Drafts coming through the window even when it’s closed
How much does it cost to replace a pane of double glazing?
The cost of replacing a pane of glass in double glazing can range depending on the size of the window and the type of glass. In general, you can expect to pay between £50 and £150 for a replacement pane.
What are the benefits of properly maintained double glazing?
Properly maintained double glazing offers a number of benefits, such as:
- Improved energy efficiency
- Reduced energy bills
- Reduced noise pollutants from outdoors
- Increased protection and safety
- Protection against condensation
- Improved comfort
