How Do You Fix Glass in A Cracked Window?
Whether through contact with a hard object or temperature variations, windows may get cracked for various reasons.
But regardless of how it happens, cracked window glass is a nightmare for homeowners. In addition to compromising your home’s beautiful ambience, a cracked window glass may cause unwanted injuries, cuts, and lacerations.
Attending to your window when it cracks can help prevent these accidents and injuries. So how do you fix glass in a cracked window to avoid these scenarios?
This post details everything you need to know about cracked window glass, including the types of window cracks and how you can fix them – permanently and temporarily.
Let’s get started!
Types of window cracks
Knowing the types of window glass cracks is key to helping you choose the best window glass repair methods. Generally, there are three types of window cracks, as discussed below:
- Impact cracks: As the name suggests, impacts cracks are caused by contact with an object like a rock or a ball. You can identify this type of crack by the center point of contact, with lines that extend around the circumference.
- Stress cracks: These are the cracks that result from a huge temperature difference between the inside of the house and the outside. The stress cracks may also be a result of closing or opening the window quickly.
- Pressure cracks: This type of window crack is very rare. They are mostly found in insulated glass or double-paned windows and are caused by significant extreme weather conditions or wrong windows installation.
It’s also possible to find chips on your window, which develop into cracks if not fixed. Chips can result from impact or temperature differences. Now that you know the types of window glass cracks, let’s look at how to fix them.
Can cracked window glass be repaired?
Yes, you can fix cracked window glass. However, it’s important to note that not all broken windows are repairable. If the crack is still small, you can fix it temporarily or permanently, as discussed below:
Fixing cracked window temporarily
As mentioned above, repairing window glass is only a temporary fix. The best and most permanent way to fix a cracked glass is to replace it. So, if you’re looking for a temporal solution while you search for perfect new window glass for replacement, you can try any of these cracked window fixes:
1. Using a masking tape
Using a piece of clear masking tape over the crack can help protect the glass from breaking further. Apply it on both sides of the glass to give it enough adhesion that’ll hold it together. You can add 2-3 layers of tape to ensure water doesn’t come in when it rains.
2. Using a thick plastic cover
Cut a plastic that’s large enough to cover the glass crack. Use duct tape or masking tape to adhere the edges of the plastic to the glass. The patch won’t be eye-pleasing but will prevent cold air and bugs from getting into the room.
3. Applying nail polish or glue
If the window glass cracks are small, you can use nail polish to seal them. Using a nail polish brush, apply ample amounts of polish to the crack to fill it. Allow the polish several minutes to dry and reapply 3-4 times to ensure the crack is completely sealed.
Fixing cracked window permanently
If you want the fix to be long lasting, you can use solvent-based adhesives like epoxy. In addition to keeping the glass intact, epoxy gives your window a cleaner look than the other temporal solutions. So, how do you do it?
Here are the instructions to help you fix the glass permanently;
- Gather the essentials. They include:
- Epoxy
- Dish soap
- Acetone
- Glass cleaner
- Cotton rugs or microfiber cloth
- Putty knife
- Paper plate
- Razorblade
- Toothpick
- Clean the glass using dish soap and use the cotton rug to dry it and remove oil residues
- Mix the two-part epoxy
- Use a putty knife to apply the mixture to the crack
- Use the razor blade to remove the excess epoxy mixture from the glass
- Use a glass cleaner to stiff the surface
How do I avoid cracks in a window glass in the future
Determining the cause of cracks can help you prevent cracks in the future. Some important questions you need to ask yourself include; Was the glass old? Was there a huge temperature difference between indoors and outdoor air? Were there insulation issues? Answers to these questions should help you identify the causes of a cracked window and, therefore, the solution to the cracks.
SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP FIXING YOUR CRACKED WINDOW?
A cracked window isn’t the best scene in a home. It poses a danger to individuals and compromises the eye-pleasing view created by well-installed window glasses.
Luckily, you can fix the cracked glass either permanently or temporarily. This post outlines how you can fix the cracked window yourself. But remember, the best and most true way to repair a cracked glass is to replace it.
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