How to Fix Cracked Windows - Birmingham, MI | Martino Home ...

Cracks in glass are seen everywhere. Gravel from the road hitting your windshield can cause cracks. Your glass cups may exhibit cracks after a few years. Even home windows can get cracks in the glass. When this happens it?s enough to drive homeowners in Oakland County, Michigan crazy. Cracks can let cold air in in the winter, and hot air in in the summer, affecting your energy bills.

What are stress cracks and what causes them?
Home windows can be prone to stress cracks. Stress cracks occur when temperature differences cause to the glass to expand by different amounts. The stress of the expansion can cause the glass to crack. This is seen a lot in homes that have large windows under overhangs or behind protruding outward rooms. The shadows from the overhang or wall create a cool area that contrasts with the parts of the glass in the warmer sun area. It the stress is great, the glass will expand in the heat or shrink in the cold and crack.

Stress cracks can also be caused by dramatic overnight temperature changes. This is something that we?re accustomed to in Southeast Michigan, especially during the season changes. You could go to sleep on a warm night and wake up to frost on your windows.

If you find a major stress crack in your glass, you?ll want to replace it. This may seem like a daunting task, but it?s actually not that hard.

How to Replace Window Glass

Step 1
First you have to remove the broken window glass. Do this by placing long strip of masking tape across the length of the window in an X. Then tap at the window with a hammer until the glass breaks completely. Once it breaks it will be easier to remove from the frame. Make sure to wears gloves and safety glasses during this as it?s not uncommon for pieces of glass to go astray.

Step 2
Use a chisel to remove all of the old window putty from the frame. You can pour linseed oil on a cloth and rub it over the putty and frame. This will make the putty easy to remove once the oil has soaked in.

Step 3
Measure the opening with a measuring tape. First measure from the top to bottom of the window and then side to side. The measurements should begin and end at the inside edge of the frame. Once you?ve recorded the measurements, subtract 1/8? from each as these are the dimensions that the new pane of glass should be cut.

Step 4
Roll putty into long cords and press the rolled putty around the entire frame in the slot that the window will sit. Then carefully place the pane of glass into the frame. Press firmly. If done right, you?ll see some of the putty squeeze out around the frame. If you have a metal frame, place new spring clips all around the pane, about every 6 inches. If you have a wooden frame use glazier?s points and do the same think, making sure to push the points partially into the wooden frame.

Step 5
Finally, seal the glass by putting rolled cords of putty into the space between the window and the frame. A putty knife can be used to smooth the putty and a glass cutter can scrape off any extra putty. If you want to paint the new compound and frame, let the compound dry for three days.

Source: http://www.martinocompanies.com/2012/11/how-to-fix-cracked-windows-birmingham-mi/

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