How to fix a broken window and its screen

Having broken windows is no joke (unlike breaking a window). Either a random naughty boy has thrown a stone or kicked the ball at your window and shattered the glass pane or your old and worn-out wooden windows require restoration, you shouldn’t postpone window repair. Broken glass or flimsy frames, torn screens and deteriorated seal or insulation may suddenly ‘surprise’ you at the worst possible moment. So, it’s better to solve the problem right away and breathe freely once everything is fixed rather than rush and search for urgent repair services. You don’t want cold wind, rain or snow get into the house through the broken glass or the smallest cracks in seal and insulation. Plastic wrap is not the best fix for shattered window pane. Unless, you’re feeling sorry for unfortunate thieves and want to help them out.

Obviously, the easiest and the most pain-free way to get everything done is to address the window repair services and ask a professional window repairer to replace a glass in the window or insulate it before winter. Also, there’s no need to purchase completely new window screens when you may easily ask either a handyman or a window repairer install new piece of grid into the existing frame. As living with thoroughly perforated screens in summer, when you tend to keep the windows opened 24/7, is just impossible. Again, unless you feel extremely sorry for those hungry and homeless bugs and mosquitoes and you want to provide them with some food, your own blood and shelter.

Moreover, when you don’t have time to figure out the right way to tackle this or that window problem or when it has to be done ASAP, you just can’t avoid asking for professional’s assistance. Besides, not everyone is able to deal with similar handyman’s tasks. And it is not something to be ashamed of. Also, such tasks like preserving and renovating old window panes or saving vintage wooden frames require delicate professional approach. Hiring a person who knows how to seal windows and insulate them properly is also one of the necessities. It is related to prolonging the ‘life’ of windows and preventing heat loss during winter.

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So, if your current window situation reminds you of any of those scenarios, you may easily go to HireRush.com and hire a qualified window repairer by calling him directly from the site. But, if you’re determined to learn how to troubleshoot those problems on your own, keep on reading. As I’m going to attempt to explain you how to perform window glass replacement and how to replace window screen. Those are the most common issues you may face and deal with on your own. So, let’s get started, shall we?

Broken window repair steps

This step-by-step window glass replacement method works whether you have to install a new glass into a large picture window or into a section of the divided (cut-up) one.

1. Gather instruments and materials. You won’t need many. But, you’ll definitely have to find a utility and/or putty knife, a scraper, a five in one painter tool, a wire brush, push points, putty, paint and obviously glass. Don’t forget to buy a pair of gloves to protect your hands during the old glass removal.
2. Get rid of all pieces of broken glass. This is probably the most dangerous part of window glass replacement, as you can easily cut yourself during the process. So, be extremely careful while doing that and don’t forget to put the work gloves on. Then, take your painter’s instrument to break off the glass pieces and lift them up from the window’s frame. Don’t rush and extract one piece of shattered glass at a time. If the pane is just cracked, window repair contractors recommend removing the old putty first and then trying to pull out the cracked parts.
3. Take a utility knife and a scraper to get rid of the old putty and glaze around the broken pane, as well as fasteners. Those are little metal triangular points that are usually knocked directly into the wood before putty application to support the glass in the frame.
   If you have trouble removing the putty, you should find the way to heat it up to soften the texture and get rid of it without any problems. Soldering tool will be great for that matter. Also, make sure to scrape off quite small putty pieces not to damage the wooden frame. It’s good to get rid of all putty around the pane. This will help you reach the actual frame of the window, easily extract all pieces of shattered glass to prepare the frame for the new glass installation.
4. Measure the pane precisely. Purchase a new glass and ask the shop’s workers to cut it according to your measurements. Bear in mind that you should make it just by 1-2 millimeters smaller on the sides, so that the pane is able to fit into the frame. If the shop’s people can’t do the cutting for you, just stop by the handyman’s and ask him to do that. Don’t try to cut the glass at home. It should be done by professional, who’s good at repairing or installing windows. First of all, he has a necessary instrument with diamond cutter. Secondly, he’ll measure the glass correctly and won’t break it while cutting.
5. Clean out the wooden frame and replace a window pane. Keep holding the glass while inserting the glazing points and securing them in place to retain the pane.
6. Take a putty gun and knife to apply some putty into the space between the glass and window’s frame. To do that, experienced window repairers just press out a string of quite thick, but not too stiff putty onto one side of the frame at a time and spread it with a putty knife till it’s smooth and even.
7. Let the putty dry for one or two days before cleaning up any mismatches on the glass and painting the frame. When that’s done, the window glass replacement is complete.

How to replace window screen

This process is much easier than repairing a broken window. It takes a window repairer several minutes to do the job. So, you can figure it out as well. And you’ll only need a piece of new screening material, a screwdriver with a flat head, already familiar utility knife, ordinary scissors and spline rolling tool. The total cost of this DIY project won’t exceed $15.

Hire a local window repairer

1. Take the screen off the window. It shouldn’t be too difficult, as its frame will either just pop out or you’ll have to undo the securing clips at first.
2. Place the screen on a table or other flat working area and detach the spline from the frame. For those of you, who don’t know what spline is, it’s just a thin black rubber or plastic string that keeps the mesh inside the frame. Be careful not to damage or break it with a screwdriver, as we’re going to reuse it later. Remove your old torn mesh.
3. Measure the sides of the screening frame to cut a new piece of mesh. Make sure to keep it straight while cutting, so that it doesn’t turn out askew. You may also just place a piece of mesh onto the frame and cut it along the outer edge of the screen’s frame not to measure anything. Cut out small squares in each corner of the replacement mesh, so that they correspond to the frame’s width. This way new mesh will fit inside the frame much better.
4. Use the pointy side of the rolling tool to push new screening material into the frame’s channel. Start at the corner of the frame and work your way up its side. Insert the spline before proceeding to the remaining sides. Use the same tool for that matter. Adjust the spine at the screen’s corners with the help of a screwdriver.
5. Trim the excess mesh that ticks out of the frame if you need to, and you’re done!