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Discussion Forum

curious, how do you repair broken vinyl window pane?

JohnWalker | Posted in General Discussion on January 6, 2010 01:50am

Just curious but I am contemplating vinyl windows with integral mounting fins/tabs. These would be covered with pre-assembled 1×4 trim (like picture frames). The siding would be hardi plank. So when a kid chucks a stone through the window do you have to tear off the trim and remove the entire window assembly or is there some trick to replacing just the thermopane unit? Thanks John

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  1. JTC1 | Jan 06, 2010 07:53am | #1

    Sash gets removed, frame cut, glass replaced, sash cement or heat welded back together, sash reinstalled.

    Vinyl window and glass companies do it all of the time 'round here.

    Jim

  2. User avater
    Matt | Jan 06, 2010 08:13am | #2

    John:

    To add to what TLC1 said, it depends on what style of window but generally we just replace the sash wen possible. A sash costs about $40 depending on size, etc. If it is a fixed pane like the top of a single hung we have the window company or glass company come out replace the glass. I've done it before myself, but it is a real PITA to get the old glass out. Having the glass replaced is more expensive than simply replacing the sash, by the time you pay for the labor for them to come out.

  3. Clewless1 | Jan 06, 2010 08:22am | #3

    I think a good vinyl window will have a snap in stop or retainer that really isn't self evident looking at the sash. I pulled out glass in an older arch top window to put new glass in. My arch top was a real pane (sic), but it was pretty straight forward. I used a putty knife to pop the stop out of place.

    I'm surprised the others have said they replace the entire sash. Doesn't even make sense to me. I'd be surprised that a vinyl window company would construct units where it wasn't relatively easy to replace a glass pane w/out replacing the whole sash.

    1. User avater
      rjw | Jan 06, 2010 09:50am | #4

      >>I'm surprised the others
      >>I'm surprised the others have said they replace the entire sash. Doesn't even make sense to me.

      Which is less expensive in the short run?

      For a DIYer, replace the glazing, for a pro - probably replace the sash.

      1. Clewless1 | Jan 06, 2010 08:54pm | #8

        Ordering a piece of glass to fit and popping it into place. Glass and sash have to be double the cost and replacing the sash in a fixed window might be difficult. In a casement, it's got to be even more expensive.

    2. DanH | Jan 06, 2010 10:05am | #5

      The "permanently assembled" sashes are cheaper to make and probably seal better. In most cases they can be disassembled for glass replacement, but, given that most of the cost is in the glass itself, the sash replacement is often cheaper than the glass & labor for glass replacement.

      Of course, finding a sash replacement for a 25-year-old window may be a challenge. Andersen is pretty good about it, but other manufacturers may not be.

    3. frammer52 | Jan 06, 2010 06:48pm | #7

      They used to just screw the sashs together. They were easy to replace the glass then.

      Then the industry started to sell people on welded sashs, with to me was stupid, as there is really no real good reason to weld them.

      Replacing the whole sash is now the norm.

    4. JohnWalker | Sep 22, 2012 10:47pm | #12

      snap in retainer

      I got their detailed window drawings including cross sections of the frame. It shows a small retainer frame perhaps 1/2" wide and on a 45 degree bevel to the glass. Presumably you pop this and the thermopane is stuck in with glazing tape.

      Not sure how hard the glazing tape is to remove glass from but at least now I know how its done.

      John

  4. joeh | Jan 06, 2010 12:09pm | #6

    If it's a fixed pane you'll
    If it's a fixed pane you'll have to cut it out. They're glued in * it's a bitch to get them out. Takes forever but it's doable.

    Moving portion, take it out and have one made.

    Joe H

    1. User avater
      Matt | Jan 06, 2010 10:07pm | #9

      Joe:
      It's amazing how many
      Joe:

      It's amazing how many people can't wrap their head around the concept that their time might be worth something....

      So let me see.... Spend $40 or $50 on a entire new sash with a 5 minute replacement, or spend $25 on a thermapane replacement glass and glue and 2 hrs putting it in to save $25.... Hummm...

      Or maybe the message is that their time really isn't worth much... Like around $12 an hr. Our labor pool charges $12 for guys who aren't capable of anything but driving a broom and picking up trash... hmmmm.

      I will say though that I one time had a K&K casement with cracked glass. It was a wood Low-e with metal wrapped frame. The entire sash was something like $275 from my BS!!! Instead I took it to a glass shop and they measured it. Then once they got the replacement in, I took the sash back and they replaced the glass for $80.

  5. lettusbee | Jan 07, 2010 03:28pm | #10

    If you purchase tuscany series windows from Milgard, they come with a free lifetime glass breakage warranty. Glass breaks, you call milgard, they'll send one of their techs out to perform the repair.

    I think simonton windows has a similar warranty as well.

  6. Siwatts | Sep 22, 2012 10:14pm | #11

    window pane replacement in Vinyl

    I am reading that you can get replace vinyl windows to replace the ones you have for around 50 bucks,

    I have a custmer that has a half moon window  and the replacement cost is around 850.00 and that dose not include the drywall repair after the window is replaced.

    The size is 48" long with a height of 21.5" in center of arch so if you can tell me where to buy the the whole window for under 100.00 bucks I think I could put it in and repair the dryall and paint tha  wall for a lot less then 850 bucks.

    Thank you

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