How to Repair a Double Pane Window | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner replace a cracked piece of glass, restoring her window’s looks and energy efficiency.

Tom Silva works with a glass specialist to repair a cracked double pane window. Tom travels to the glass manufacturer to see how the replacement glass is produced.

Difficulty: ⅖ 
Cost: Around $75 (excluding the cost of the replacement pane)
Time: 4 hours

Where to find it?
Tom works with a glass specialist to repair a cracked double pane window. Tom travels to
the glass manufacturer to see how the replacement glass is produced.

To replace the broken glass, start by removing the sash and lay it out on a flat surface. To

Materials:

Tools:

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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Repair a Double Pane Window | Ask This Old House

[johnsmith-jsnv]

I want to say how nice it is to see Tommy in good health and still teaching us all.
We have watched and grown with so many people on TOH.
The new ones are continuing the excellence of the old guard.

[Reefdevil]

This is the way to go. Fixed 3 windows in my house just like this. Cost should be around $400 a pane… installed

[JG-mpnb]

Another excellent example of manufacturing, removing, and installing a product!

[dorothysmith]

Thanks for another great video. I worked in the glass industry (Low-E was our product) so when I replaced 100 yr old French windows, I sourced the 2 pane windows. Now the rooms are quiet and my energy bills went way down. 😊

[gmurray]

Thanks for another informative video. Some of my work I hire out and your videos help me to at least understand how the repair person will do the work and helps me to know what questions to ask. Again, thank you.

[BertPle]

Here in the Netherlands it is very usual to replace only the glass. In almost every city there is a glass company you can call (24/7 in case of emergency) and they replace the glass for you. You can even order it yourself online when you know what to buy. Production takes +/- 20 days.

There is no one here who want to replace the whole window only because the glass is cracked. Every kind of window (wood / plastic (vinyl)) has replaceable glass.

Also we place thin plastic shims between the glass and the window to clamp the glass tight, so the window stays square.

[DougCeleste]

VERY rare to see Tom on a project with someone else doing the main work. Nice new window, too!

[stretchhurion]

as a glazer I would never have told the people that they had to replace the whole window they are just never made that way but thanks for a tour of where they are made all of the ones I made were all made by hand no machines involved

[oldskoolwayy]

This old house making warehouse visits wow...this is new

[stupidtakenids]

This Old House saves the day.... again! Thanks.

[alfredo]

Finally a good video that answered my questions

[ohthatsclever]

That glass sheet falling at 5:25 freaked me out. I guess that surface is designed to absorb the force, but I thought that sheet would shatter.

[vickishort]

Desiccant is not for insulation but to remove moisture from between the glass at time of manufacture

[UnbeatableRep]

Nowadays getting the double pane glass is pretty easy. Some window companies only focus on new installations and some companies do repairs and replacement/ new installs. Also most manufacturers give you a lifetime warranty with glass breakage warranty as well. Just a matter of getting in touch with the manufacturer and giving them the serial number associated with the window (included on your window order or stickers on the window sashes/ frame.

[nDkHDf]

Procedure is very easy. I've done it by my self without any manuals.

[ShadowzGSD]

they could have spent a few minutes to change clothes so it looked like they waited a few weeks for the glass instead of having everything ready to be done in 1 day. 🤣

[rosewd]

I'd like to see how you get the double pane glass out of of a double hung vinyl window.
I have a few windows where one of the halves have gotten cloudy inside.

[terry]

Wonder iuf you could replace the glass on a single pane window with a double pane glass only replacement? I love our wooden windows and the frames are beautiful and in good condition and almost 2 inches thick. Would be cool to replace the glass only. May have to look into that!

[walter.bellini]

Great video guys thank you for sharing this out!

[aminitials]

Before replacing the broken or fogged up insulated glass contact the window manufacturer to see if the window is under warranty. I did a sash that failed for a friend and the manufacturer sent a new sash to them for the cost of shipping only.