How To Repair A Double Pane Window Online

.   YouTube  +1 Note: Total thickness includes both glass panes and the spacer in between. Contact a local glass shop or a retailer like The Home Depot to order a custom-sized replacement unit.   YouTube  +1 2. Remove the Old Unit   Safety First: If the glass is shattered, tape it thoroughly to keep it from falling apart while you work. Pop the Stops: Use a putty knife or a 5-in-1 tool to gently pry off the vinyl or wood glazing beads (the strips holding the glass in place). Always remove the top bead last to prevent the glass from falling out. Cut the Seal: Use a thin utility blade to cut through the old silicone or double-sided tape bonding the glass to the frame.   YouTube  +3 3. Prep the Frame   Scrape away every bit of old sealant, tape, and debris from the sash frame using a razor blade. Wipe the area clean to ensure the new silicone adheres perfectly.   YouTube  +3 4. Install the New Glass   Apply Sealant: Run a fresh bead of 100% silicone around the perimeter of the frame. Set the Glass: Place your new unit onto the setting blocks at the bottom of the frame to center it. Seal it Up: Press the glass firmly into the silicone. Reinstall the glazing beads by snapping them back into place.   YouTube  +2 Watch these detailed demonstrations to master the removal and installation process: 12 min How to Repair a Double Pane Window | Ask This Old House This Old House

Here’s a step-by-step guide for repairing a double-pane (insulated glass unit) window. Note: This guide assumes the seal is broken (foggy/misty between panes) or the glass is cracked, but the frame is intact.

1. Determine if repair is possible

Foggy window (seal failure) → Repair is temporary unless you replace the IG unit. Defogging kits exist but usually fail again. Cracked glass → Must replace the entire insulated glass unit (IGU). Broken frame → Replace whole window. how to repair a double pane window

2. Tools & materials needed

Replacement IGU (custom ordered from local glass shop) Putty knife / stiff scraper Gloves and safety glasses Glass suction cups (for large windows) Utility knife Silicone sealant or glazing tape Measuring tape Wooden shims (if needed for alignment)

3. Remove the sash (if operable window)

For casement, single-hung, or double-hung windows: open the sash and remove it by unscrewing pivot pins or lifting out per window type. Fixed picture windows → work on frame in place.

4. Remove the old insulated glass unit

Remove stops/beads : Use a putty knife to pry off interior glazing beads (vinyl, wood, or aluminum). Some are screwed in. Cut old sealant : Run a utility knife between glass and frame. Push out the glass : From inside, gently push the IGU outward. Use suction cups for control. Clean the frame : Scrape old sealant and dirt from the rabbet. YouTube  +1 2

5. Measure for replacement IGU Measure accurately (to 1/16”):

Width and height at three points each (top/middle/bottom, left/center/right). Use the smallest measurement. Thickness of the old unit (e.g., 5/8”, 3/4”, 1”). Note any low-E coating or gas fill (argon/krypton) if matching performance.