Can you replace a single pane of glass in a double glazed window?

Martynt74

Martynt74

Martynt74

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A few weeks ago my wife heard a lorry go past the lane outside our house and then heard a really loud crack.

We usually have the blackout blinds closed on these windows so never had any idea what it was, until yesterday when the cleaner opened them and noticed a huge crack on the inside pane of glass.

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Now annoyingly the window is an odd size and the whole window is all one unit. I imagine that cost to replace the whole lot is going to be a few hundred, but i was wondering if anyone knew whether you'd be able to replace just the single cracked pane.

I rang a local window company and the woman suggested that you couldn't and the whole lot would need replacing and is sending someone round for a quote, but i wouldn't mind some other opinions before i just believe that.
 
Balls, was hoping that wasn't the case. I thought you could get double glazing regassed when it started failing, would this not be a similar process?

Given the blind is always down, i might go with the duct tape approach :p
 
Yeah need to do the whole lot. I broke just the outside pane of 2 windows while strimming a few years ago, i went via my house insurance as i had accidental damaged so it wasn't too bad, but i think even if i was paying myself it would be 'only' about 400 to fix the below.

The guy the insurance sent out measured up and matched it all perfectly so it was exactly the same thickness and tint and even down to the slightly wibbly pattern in between the 2 panels.

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Martynt74 said:
Balls, was hoping that wasn't the case. I thought you could get double glazing regassed when it started failing, would this not be a similar process?

Given the blind is always down, i might go with the duct tape approach :p
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You can but that’s done by drilling a hole in one pane, washing out the cavity and then regassing and plugging it.

To replace the pane you’d basically have to break it apart. Probably cost more in labour than a new unit to even attempt it.
 
You'd be surprised how few variants (in the grand scheme of things) there are in glass. Odds are they can get you an exact match without much bother.
 
Just replacing the glass unit is normally quite reasonably priced, I don't think you'll be in for too much of a shock when they quote you.
 
If its a standard size, then replacing the unit shouldn't cost too much.

We had windows fitted last year and one of the units had a piece of foil stuck inside of one corner. The guy who fitted them came round and replaced the unit in about 10 minutes. I was surprised how easy it was after watching him.

I reckon removing and refitting the blind will be more hassle and time than replacing the unit.
 
You can get the sealed unit itself replaced. They come along, measure up, look at the glass types and a coupe of weeks later come a fit the new unit. By sealed unit I mean the glass of the window, not the frame. We have had several done in our house since we moved in and they tend to all be under £100 to replace.

To replace the unit they just remove the bead from the frame, take out the old unit and replace with new unit and put bead back on. It's very simple.

Quick video here: https://www.cloudy2clearwindows.co.uk/services/double-glazing-repairs/
 
gailjon said:
You can get the sealed unit itself replaced. They come along, measure up, look at the glass types and a coupe of weeks later come a fit the new unit. By sealed unit I mean the glass of the window, not the frame. We have had several done in our house since we moved in and they tend to all be under £100 to replace.

To replace the unit they just remove the bead from the frame, take out the old unit and replace with new unit and put bead back on. It's very simple.

Quick video here: https://www.cloudy2clearwindows.co.uk/services/double-glazing-repairs/
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Ah right, i was thinking the Unit comprised of both the glass and the frame and so any fix would involve having to replace the top window as well.
 
Ye frame just holds the premade glass sandwich from the factory. Surprisingly fast to fit. The major delay is them making the sandwich for you.
 
Just try and use a local glazier firm and not one of the massive chains with the TV adverts who'll send out some salesman with the bull poop hard-sell manual in full flow :mad:

I've used a firm within walking distance from my home a few times when panes have blown. Its usually around 100 quid, less than 20 minutes to fit, roughly a week turnaround from them measuring up to coming back and replacing the glass. That doesn't look like it'll be anywhere near the excess on your buildings insurance.
 
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To echo above, shouldn't be too expensive for a replacement unit. Some local scrotes chucked a stone through our front window a few years back, 2m x 1m panel with lead patterning on the outside, IIRC the insurance claim value was ~£600 (including all the fitting etc) so for a plain unit a fraction of the size I can't see it being more than £200 if you DIY the fitting
 
Cheap simple fix. They will just remove the beading round the glazed panel and replace the glass panel with a new one. Trying to repair a single pane would cost far more in labour.

It will likely be due to sudden temperature change but you might find the pressure on the pane caused by the blinds hasn't helped, my guess if the crack that extends from the top edge will be exactly where the clip is for the fitted blinds.

It's doable as a DIY job if you wanted to. Just need to prise the plastic bead from around the glass, remove and measure up the old panel so you can order a new one then do a direct swap.

As an example a 600 x 400 panel from here is circa £45 (although you'd be better going to a local glazer).
 
I get trade prices as I know an owner of a glazing firm but I've recently changed a unit bigger than that and it cost me £25.

Getting the beading out will probably be the hardest part if you dont know the nack
 
We've had a few 'blown' windows replaced, for that size I'd be surprised if it was over £60 including fitting will take the guy about 15 minutes as well
 
When you do get it replaced, specify laminated glass which means any further breaks will be prevented and it's an security upgrade for you. In the meantime repair tape which is clear & 2" wide is what you need to stop the crack growing and the glass safe.
 
I had a significantly larger unit replaced for under £150 after a lawnmower incident. As others have said, use a local glazier, they'll come and measure it, confirm the price and return a few days later and fit it in about 15 mins (max).
 
Sorry for the thread hijack, bit I am after similar advice...

Around 4 years ago I had 21 windows replaced and last year I noticed one of the panels had blown and was running with condensation.

As lock down was starting the company (G2S) was not responding to comms, and it now seems they have gone bankrupt.

I have not dug out the paperwork, but is there likely to be an insurance backed scheme that will replace just a single panel, or am I wasting my time to even consider chasing a fix in such a way?

Also is their likely to be any longer term issuse if I leave the panel as it is? The curtain on that window is almost always closed... so visually it is not too much of an issue.

Thanks
 
TheFew said:
Sorry for the thread hijack, bit I am after similar advice...

Around 4 years ago I had 21 windows replaced and last year I noticed one of the panels had blown and was running with condensation.

As lock down was starting the company (G2S) was not responding to comms, and it now seems they have gone bankrupt.

I have not dug out the paperwork, but is there likely to be an insurance backed scheme that will replace just a single panel, or am I wasting my time to even consider chasing a fix in such a way?

Also is their likely to be any longer term issuse if I leave the panel as it is? The curtain on that window is almost always closed... so visually it is not too much of an issue.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Waste of time; no longer term damage. Cheap enough to get a single pane replaced.
 
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