Replacement Window Panes

I know the company that made my windows is no longer in business and have two panes that need replacing.

What is best approach to locate replacements?

 

You say "panes". If the IGU's need replacing and the sashes are OK, then any competent glazier can either make them, or have them made to your size and install them. I would have them come measure for the IGU's to keep down on mistakes.

 

Not sure what IGU means.

These are thermal pane windows, one is a fixed window, one is double hung, noticed some fogging today.

I'm assuming that the pane is simply replaced into the existing window?

 

IGU = Insulated Glazing Unit, or thermopane. Yes, they would disassemble it and insert the new one in your frame.

 

Unless you plan to DIY, call any city glass company, they will be able to measure, make and install the new IGU's.

 

Figured I would see what it took to get the IGU (I can learn) out of the windows to get the correct size.

The bead on the double hung came off easy but the fixed window is a little different. The exterior is a solid piece so it has to be the inside.

I suspect the square piece is the bead that needs to be removed but in comparison to the double hung it's not budging.

 

That's correct. Take a thin scrap of wood, a shim for example, and rest it on the frame so you don't mar the vinyl. Then take a sharp 1" chisel, bevel down, and insert it into the gap under that stop. Then push the chisel toward the glass (so that it doesn't slip out and scratch the stop) and at the same time, pry the chisel downward, using it like a pry bar / glazing bar. Once you have the stop popped loose, you can then pry the rest of it up with a pry bar / glazing bar. Always start at the end /corner. If one end doesn't want to pop up, try the other.

You don't generally need to remove stops to measure the size... you are always safe taking the inside measurement and subtract 1/4".... since 1/8" gap per side is pretty much the standard for vinyl windows. You use calipers to measure the glass thickness on double hung and casements. If you needed to double check the thickness on a picture unit you might take the stop off, slip a business card into the gap alongside the glass, make a pencil line on it, then measure the mark you made on the card. 7/8" is a real common size... but it always pays to check.

Your windows appear to be glazed on the exterior with two faced glazing tape. They make specialty tools to cut that. But in a pinch, a utility knife with a thin, flexible "linoleum style" knife blade will work. Lowes has these, and although I can't find the replacement blade url, you can see the style of blade in this pack: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-27-B...Knife/50111430 A standard linoleum knife won't work because the blade is stiff... the handle needs to bend to the side to work, so the flexible blade works good.

In the past I have recommended pizza cutters, which also work well if you can bend the handle away from the glass enough to make it work. 3M adhesive remover spray helps soften the glazing for easier cutting... it's kind of optional. But if you have to do this for a living, you get the RIGHT tools for the job.

A 1/2" chisel is usually just the thing to scrape off the old glazing tape. I push it with my hand to get most of it off, them drag the chisel backwards like a scraper to clean the remaining tape off. Then you need to make sure you use the correct thickness of glazing tape when you put the new glass in, or you're hosed.

 

Much more educated for IGU replacements!

Interesting, we have 3/4" internal tan grids, nobody make them anymore (they do make white) so now we have to decide if we can live with 5/8" grids or go gridless.

Both online and local were same price but online has shipping which almost doubles the cost.

Interesting fact, the gridless have a 10 year warranty, with grids, 5, go figure!!

Actually if you do the replacement yourself the panes are not bad, the large fixed pane was $85 and the double hung was around $45.

Now that I look closely I see I have a couple others that are suspect so looks like more to come!