How To Fix A Broken Or Cracked Window Glass? - Fab Glass And Mirror

Cracked glass is a nightmare for all of us. And it doesn’t take much for window glass to get cracked or damaged. A rogue ball from the kids playing in the street, a hurricane, or a hailstorm can easily damage the glass of your windows (Not toughened glass windows though!). The cracked window glass in a window frame serves as an eyesore. It lowers the aesthetic appeal of the home and also reduces the energy efficiency value.

Therefore, it’s important to fix it. Don’t wait until the crack turns into a broken heap of glass. Nip the evil in the bud and fix the crack before the window glass snaps completely.

Luckily there are quite a few ways of broken window repair. Let’s learn how to fix cracked glass.

Why Does Window Glass Crack?

Before getting into the solutions, we need to understand the reasons why a window glass cracks in the first place. There are some evident reasons like a hard impact while the others are somewhat vague. So, it’s important to understand the causes first to treat the cracks accordingly.

• Temperature Stress

The root cause of stress cracks is extreme temperature fluctuations. When there is a huge temperature difference between the inside and outside, stress cracks appear. These types of cracks usually start appearing from one edge of the window. In the beginning, stress cracks are very small and almost unnoticeable. However, they grow and spread all over the glass if not taken care of.

• Pressure Changes

Pressure cracks are less common. They typically appear out of nowhere. The reason behind the emergence of pressure cracks is the change in the pressure system caused by the weather. The wrong placement of windows can also be a cause of pressure cracks. Pressure cracks appear as curves and spread across the windows.

• Hard Impacts

It is one of the most common reasons behind cracked glass in windows. Most people experience cracked window glass due to hard impacts. The impacts can be of any type. A rock projected in the air, an off-target ball-hit, or the dirt and debris in the storm can cause this type of cracks in the window glass. These cracks have a center and spread across the window glass in the form of a starburst. The impact cracks can be small or huge based on the pressure of the impact.

Is It Possible to Repair Glass?

Seeing a cracked window glass in your home is super annoying. You might get tempted to start the glass crack repair on your own. This way you can save your window glass from breaking any further. However, glass repair is not that simple. Some questions may pop up in your mind.

Is it possible to carry out a broken window repair on your own?

Or is it a job that only the professional can do?

Is window glass replacement the only solution to a cracked window?

Let’s address these questions.

Yes, it’s possible to repair a cracked window without going for an all-out replacement. And you can absolutely repair a cracked window glass on your own even if you are a DIY beginner. However, there are some conditions to do so.

If a small crack appears in the window glass, you can easily repair it with a simple glass adhesive and epoxy. Even if it’s a large crack and the window glass sustains a clean break, you can still repair it with epoxy and adhesive. Similarly, chips in the corner of the glass can also be repaired by filling it with some epoxy. However, you still need to be careful during the repair.

If the damage is way beyond a clean crack or chip, it becomes a no-go area for the non-professionals. For instance, an impact crack cannot be repaired without professional skills. So don’t try to do it by yourself. Fixing such glass damage can be dangerous as sharp shards of glass and tiny chips can really hurt you. Even if it seems like a small crack, the tiny invisible chips can injure you.

How to Fix a Cracked Glass Window?

Broken window repair is a tricky area. You can’t always fix it. However, you can handle small cracks and prevent more damage. We will explore some ways of how to fix broken glass windows here.

Temporary Repairs

There are some temporary fixes for glass crack repair. These methods are basically employed to stop any further damage. Some of the most commonly used temporary repairs are as follows.

• Masking Tape – Apply masking tape on either side of the glass. Firmly press it into the glass and extend it further than the crack. It will hold the crack for some time.
• Adhesives – Glass adhesives are usually used for fixing windshields and vehicle glass. However, you can use it to temporarily fix your cracked window. Buy a glass adhesive and apply it to the crack. Let it dry and it will hold the crack from spreading across the glass.
• Plastic Cover – It’s a very simple way of containing the crack. Just take a piece of thick plastic and paste it on the crack using duct tape.

Permanent Fix

Heading onto the ultimate permanent fix, you will need the following supplies.

• Liquid dishwashing soap
• Glass cleaner
• Microfiber cloth
• Epoxy
• Putty knife
• Acetone

Procedure:

• Add some dishwashing soap in water and clean the cracked part of the glass carefully with soap water and a clean cotton rag. Make sure to remove any dirt and debris from the crack. Let it dry.

• Make a mixture of two parts epoxy, hardener, and resin on a piece of cardboard or paper. Blend the solution properly.

• Apply the mixture to the cracked piece of glass with a putty knife. Be gentle while applying the mixture to prevent any further damage. Leave it to dry.

• Remove the excess mixture from the surface with the help of a sharp blade and a few drops of acetone.

Take the glass cleaner and polish your window with a clean piece of cloth.

Your window glass is as shiny as new!

Final Thoughts!

Cracked glass is a big problem. We all have gone through it in one way or the other. Some might have a cracked window, others may have a visible crack in their favorite picture frame or glass bowl. You can get rid of the cracks but make sure to be extra careful in doing so. Seek professional help where needed. Don’t go overboard with your DIY enthusiasm. You might end up getting hurt.