Instructions For Self-replacement Of A Glass Unit

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Components of a glass unit
• Replacing glass in a window
• How to properly measure the glass unit
• Replacing double-glazed windows with your own hands
• Installation of a new glass unit
• The nuances of replacing double-glazed windows
• Carrying out works on replacement of double-glazed windows by service centers

Plastic windows have a reliable design and have a long service life. But over time, it may be necessary to replace the glass unit for various reasons - glass is broken or cracked, or there is a desire to replace an outdated model with a more modern one. This will eliminate the fogging of glasses and the appearance of ice on them in the cold season, increase noise insulation and reduce the thermal conductivity of the window.

Components of a glass unit

Of course, you can resort to the services of firms specializing in the manufacture, installation and repair of plastic windows, but many apartment owners are interested in how to replace a glass unit in a plastic window on their own. Before ordering and installing a new design, the old product should be measured. Consider the characteristics of the elements that make up PVC windows.

A double-glazed window is a sealed system that includes a certain number of glasses - 2, 3 or more. The glass sheets are separated by a perforated aluminum frame containing granular silica gel, which effectively absorbs moisture and prevents the glass surface from fogging. During the manufacturing process, the structure is filled with a sealant that prevents moisture and dirt from penetrating inside.

Replacing glass in a window

If you need to replace broken glass in a glass unit, it should be borne in mind that this operation is much more complicated than replacing a glass unit in a plastic window and can be performed with high quality exclusively in the factory using modern equipment.

This is due to the fact that the silica gel, which is part of the window structure, absorbs the moisture contained in the atmospheric air when the chamber is depressurized.

As a result, dew will begin to appear on the newly installed glass after a while. Another option is also possible - silica gel that has absorbed moisture will begin to appear on the internal elements of the product in the form of a fluid yellow mass. Therefore, replacement of glass in a plastic window should be carried out only in cases when it is problematic or practically impossible to replace a glass unit with a similar one. For example, when using in its composition unique glass in the form of a stained-glass window with an original texture, tint, etc.

How can you replace glass in a glass unit with your own hands? Take out the glass unit, place it on the table so that the glass to be replaced is on top. It must be removed, for example, by cutting off the sides of the profile with a sharp knife. The perforated aluminum frame is replaced with a new one, pre-filled with a granular air dryer. This will prevent the glass from fogging. You can use double-sided tape to secure the frame in place. The new glass should be cut out carefully, its inner surface should be wiped with alcohol. Installation is carried out using silicone sealant applied around the perimeter. After the silicone has dried, the glass unit is put back in place using adjusting plates and fixed with glazing beads.

How to properly measure the glass unit

Before replacing a double-glazed window, it is necessary to order its manufacture by contacting a specialized company that provides this type of service. To do this, you need to determine its size.

Looking closely at the structure of the window frame, you can see the border separating its base from the glazing beads framing the glass. Having measured the width and length of the rectangle formed by the glazing bead (including its thickness), we obtain the preliminary dimensions of the broken glass unit to be replaced.

There must be a deformation gap between the glass and the frame, which facilitates free adjustment of the structure and prevents its destruction when materials expand under the influence of temperature fluctuations. Therefore, the final result can be obtained by subtracting 1–1.5 cm from the preliminary one. Additionally, you should determine the number of cameras in the package.

Replacing double-glazed windows with your own hands

To do the job, you need a rubber hammer and a boot knife (you can use a chisel instead of a knife). The first stage of replacing double-glazed windows in windows is dismantling previously installed ones. To protect the frame from scratches, it is recommended to cover it with masking tape.

The sequence of dismantling a window element when replacing a glass unit with your own hands:

1. Insert the tip of a knife or chisel into the hole separating the glazing bead from the frame. In order to separate and remove the glazing bead, you need to gently tap the knife with a hammer. You should start from the middle of the canvas, gradually moving to the edges. All operations must be carried out as carefully as possible in order to exclude accidental damage to the base.
2. First, the glazing bead located on the right side is removed, then the one on the left, then the upper one and the last one the lower one.
3. Removing the old glass unit. It is not easy to carry out this action on your own, so it is advisable to use outside help. The operation can be facilitated by special suction cups designed to fix the canvas.

Installation of a new glass unit

When installing a new double-glazed window into a plastic window, special straightening plates are used for the correct even arrangement of the product. These details allow you to fix the bag by adjusting the accuracy of its placement. If the window is deaf, you can limit yourself to installing the plates at the bottom of the structure. In the opening flaps - additionally position at two corners - in the area of the lower hinge and the opposite upper one, stepping back 10 cm to the side.

The installed glass unit is fixed around the perimeter with sealing rubber, then with glazing beads, the order of their fastening is the reverse of the removal sequence. You should start with the short bottom and end with the long right. First, the corners of the glazing bead are inserted into the frame, after which, by lightly tapping a rubber hammer, it is slammed into the place intended for it. In order not to confuse the glazing beads during dismantling, you can mark them. The total duration of the glass unit replacement is approximately 25 minutes.

The nuances of replacing double-glazed windows

Replacement of double-glazed windows of plastic windows may be necessary in case of damage to the glass or poor-quality window manufacture. A crack in the glass can appear due to a number of reasons:

• Incorrect measurements;
• The window was installed incorrectly (the necessary gaps were not left, the adjusting plates are missing or displaced, the application of polyurethane foam does not comply with the rules), which results in a violation of its geometry;
• Failure to comply with the rules for storing materials used for the manufacture of windows;
• Sharp changes in atmospheric pressure during the operation of the product;
• The application of critical pressure on the sash of the window, leading to a violation of the geometry of the glass and its damage.

Carrying out works on replacement of double-glazed windows by service centers

In some cases, replacing double-glazed windows with your own hands is difficult or impossible. The best way out of this situation is to use the services of specialized service centers that guarantee quick and high-quality replacement of damaged glass or the entire glass unit. For example, it is impossible to replace a double-glazed window on your own if the window structure provides for the soldering of the seal.

You can also contact the service center for replacement of especially valuable glass. Additionally, it is possible to provide for the installation of a decorative overlay, decorating the product with false perches, energy-saving, fireproof, anti-vandal or any other glass. Thus, at the same time as glass replacement, the construction of the entire window can be improved.

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