You just invested in gorgeous, brand new, energy efficient replacement windows for your Irvine, CA home, when suddenly, one pane is broken. Whether the glass broke in a storm, attempted break in, or just an accident, you now have to deal with replacing the glass. How do you replace glass on replacement windows?
Depending on how the glass broke, how much its broken, and a few other factors, you gave a few different options for replacing the glass. If the pane is cracked, a professional window company can simply remove the cracked pane and replace it with a new one. It’s always best to replace a broken windowpane with the same kind of glass as before.
You can also replace a broken pane with insulated glass units, or IGU. When an IGU breaks, or when you want to install one, the window company just pops out the old IGU and seals a new one in its place. You can also add caulking or weather-stripping to block drafts for even better energy efficiency.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can also try and replace the broken windowpane yourself. However, this can be tricky as you don’t want to hurt yourself or damage the window frame. It can also be hard to replace a windowpane with special glass, as you need to order specialty glass from a manufacturer.
Always contact the manufacturer if something goes wrong with your new windows, as they might still be under warranty, or the manufacturer can make sure you get the right replacement pane.
How can you tell when you need to replace the entire window as opposed to just the glass? While a full replacement will cost more, there are times when the additional investment is well worth it. For example, if the window seal is broken, you need to replace the window. Defogging a window with a broken seal can fix the issue in the short term, but only a new window will be a long-term solution. You will also need to replace the whole window if the muntins or munions, the dividers in a window, are broken.
It also is time to invest in a new replacement window if you have wood windows that are beginning to rot. While some rot spots can be repaired with a patch, decay will almost always end up compromising the entire window, so you are better off saving yourself the stress by replacing the window right away. Also, if the glass on your window breaks and the window is 15 years old or older, it might be better to just invest in new windows rather than spending money to repair the old one. The same is true if you have low quality windows.
If you’re not sure whether you need replacement window glass or replacement windows for your Irvine, CA replacement windows, Cunningham Doors & Windows is here to help. Please stop by and visit us at 1940 E Edinger Ave Santa Ana, CA 92705, or give us a call at (714) 258-2500 to learn more.