How to Replace Double Pane Window Glass: Tape Type

stack of double-paned glass
  • 2-4 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 10-20
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Rubber mallet
Caulk or sealant
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Rubber mallet
Caulk or sealant

Just like in a single pane window, a double pane window glass can break due to wind pressure, baseballs, or house settling.

A dual-pane window has two sheets of glass padded with argon gas which makes it stronger.

Hence, it is more protective than a single pane glass window which only has one sheet of glass and is therefore not very energy efficient.

Replacing glass in a double-pane window is not a difficult task. However, it depends on the place where you are installing the glass.

For instance, the installation might get tougher if the window is at an upper level or any other awkward place that is not easily accessible.

Call a friend to help you with the replacement of the glass. Read the below sections in order to learn how to replace a double-pane window.

Step 1 - Take Precautions

safety gear

Before removing the glass, put all the accessories, frames, or sawhorses on the table. Be very careful when removing the glass since it may break.

For safety, wear heavy and thick gloves to protect your hands from any kind of injury. Gloves will also protect your hands when using the rubber mallet.

Make sure you do not use regular binding or gluing material to seal the window.

Step 2 - Remove the Old Glass

Before installing the new glass, you need to remove the broken glass from the window panel first. For that, you need to take out the window border from the window.

If the panel is fixed, use a screwdriver to loosen the screws, on the top and downside of the border, to easily remove the glass.

However, if the panel is a sliding one, it can easily be removed if you lift up the panel and pull out the downside of the border first.

Now displace the broken glass from the border by loosening and taking out the screws with the screwdriver.

Put the rubber mallet on the border, this will dispatch the glass from the border.

In case you find any rubber stoppers in the border, put them aside in a safe place since they can be used at the time when you will be installing the new pane.

Step 3 - Adjust the New Glass Pane

thick piece of glass

Thoroughly clean the new glass pane with a soft cloth. Put the rubber stoppers again into the border and then place the border encircling the glass.

Put the screws back in their places and fasten them with the help of a screwdriver.

Step 4 - Seal and Place the Glass into the Window

To avoid moisture developing on the window, you need to seal the border. For that, you need to put drops of caulk or sealant between the glass and border.

Sealing the frame will also suppress the glass with the border. Next, fix the border back into its position in the pane and change any remaining screws.