Does Your Commercial Glass Need To Be Replaced or Can It Be Repaired
Getting your windows replaced as a homeowner can be one of your last things on your to-do lists. Everyone knows that nothing lasts forever, but no one tells you how long your windows will last. Especially with so many windows in your home problems could occur anytime and you might not even realize it! Select Glass and Windows has been helping businesses repair and replace their commercial glass. This guide can help businesses decide whether their commercial glass can be repaired or needs to be replaced.
One of the first things to look at when deciding to replace your windows is the severity of them. If they are starting to look foggy, cracked, broken, or feel a draft coming from them, then you know to start looking for a replacement. Although the cost may be out of your budget considering the new windows would be to your advantage. Leaving them broken or open can cause a lot more damage to other parts of your business. It is also important to note that simply not dealing with broken glass isn’t an option as broken glass can represent a significant liability.
Signs to Replace Your Windows
- Major water leaks
- Cracked or damaged
- Foggy windows that form condensation between the glass
- Structural problems
- Poor interior faux muntins/mullions
Cracked or Broken Glass:
This is one of the more dangerous reasons why you should get your windows replaced. The glass could cause water to seep in and allow mold to grow in the sills.
Wood Windows:
If you have wood windows in your home and start to see the wood begin to rot and spread, think about a replacement. This is caused by water exposure seeping in from the rainfall or even your sprinkler system. This can lead to much worse conditions such as mold. Mold is usually found around the frames, the sashes on the inside, and the dividers. If there are minimum rotting spots this could be fixed with repatching and some paint. Overall the cost to repair pieces of the wood would cost more altogether.
Damaged Panes:
One of the most noticeable things is broken panes on a window. From flying baseballs to small cracks and holes or even harsh hurricanes can cause damaged windows. Scratches can compromise the glass on the window but also be repaired by replacing the broken glass. Try to avoid using abrasive cleaners on your windowpane. If you wish to keep your vintage frame, an installation of new glass is recommended, but if it’s the cheap vinyl frames with cracks, then it would be best to replace your entire window.
Foggy Windows:
If you see your windows start to get foggy then you should look into getting a replacement. This is caused by water condensing inside of your window's double-pane or triple-pane insulated glass unit. Repairing a foggy glass can be tricky. Having to drill tiny holes in the window, allowing all the condensation to leave, and then patching them back up again. This could all be easier with just replacing the entire thing.
Drafty Windows:
That one window that is used more than others may start to feel a little drafty as time goes on. Just like all things as you use them they tend to wear out. This is caused by little spaces between the frames, sashes, and dividers. Signs that you may need a replacement range from cracked or peeling sills, old weatherstripping, loosened sashes, and even wood rot. The cost to repair these issues would cost the same amount to replace the entire windows, so why keep your old ones?
Commercial property in the Alexandria West neighborhood in Alexandria near Dora Kelley Nature Park in zip code 22311 off N. Beauregard St was dealing with a number of issues with windows on their units. Drafty windows, cracked windows, foggy windows and damaged panes were all examples that needed commercial glass replacement.
Why Replace Your Windows and Not Repair Them?
Every window has a different structure and material to it. The idea of repairing a broken window can be determined based on the severity of the issue. Repairs may be the cheaper option to go with for now but keep in mind, later in the future you will need to replace them.
The cost of your time is a key factor when asking yourself if you want to replace or repair your windows. Repairing and trying to maintain your old windows can come with more trouble and many hours of labor. Repairing comes with constantly fixing jammed windows and repainting them to improve their appearance while searching for rare or discontinued spare parts to fix. Even the cleanup afterward could be a major hassle.
If deciding to replace your windows, remember that properly maintained windows can last over 20 years and counting. This knocks out the natural disasters factor. You could find new windows to help modernize your home as well as choose to allow more light in and out of your home.
Lastly, talk to a window professional if you need any tips or have any questions about both repairing or fixing your windows. You might save tons of time and money when you realize your only solution was a full window replacement.
A restaurant in the North Springfield neighborhood of Fairfax near Lake Accotink off Braddock Rd in the 22151 area code had to replace most of their windows after an accident involving a car crashing into their front window. The main storefront glass all needed to be replaced, however, Select Glass and Windows was able to repair other glass panels inside the restaurant space to save the owner some costs.
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 ambiance, a cracked window glass may cause unwanted injuries, cuts, and lacerations.
Attending your window when it cracks can help prevent these accidents and injuries. So how do you fix the 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, impact 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 an 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 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 indoor 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.
A grocery store in the Westover area of Arlington in the 22205 zip code near Patrick Henry Dr replaced several panes of glass in their location that had been damaged and wanted to ensure their new glass lasted despite the challenging conditions in the store. After installing their new glass, Select Glass and Windows supplied them with best practices to maintain their glass.
Should you repair or replace your business’s commercial glass
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.
If you would like to learn more about what types of windows are best for maximizing energy efficiency for your business just click here. If after reviewing this document you have more questions about repairing or replacing your commercial glass, feel free to contact the team at Select Glass and Windows. Our experts have two decades of experience assisting our clients with safety glass installations for homes and businesses.
