DIY: Window Repair

Tools and Materials

Protective gloves
Safety goggles
Tape measure
Craft knife
Hammer
Pincers old chisel
Putty knife
Paint brush
Thin plywood
Wood primer paint
Putty

Removing a broken glass in windows is a huge problem at times but it is not that hard. You can use polythene sheets to temporarily cover a broken window glass opening. On an accessible exterior window you need a permanent secure repair.

Use protective gloves for the removal of broken glass pieces.
Cut a piece of plywood with the same measurement of the window opening.
Fix this plywood in the frame and use panel pins to support the plywood.
If the pane is smashed remove the jagged pieces stuck on the putty by gripping each one in turn and working it loose.
Remove the old putty with hammer and a hacking knife. Remove the panel pins with a pair of pincers as you go along.
Blow the dust if there’s any before applying the primer paint.
Knead the putty until it is soft and pliable. Take a palm-sized ball and squeeze a continuous band into the rebate using your thumb to press into place. It should be about 3mm thick all around the window.
Place the pane of glass into the bottom of the window and then slowly push it into place. Make sure you wear protective gloves while doing this. Apply gentle pressure around the edges until 2mm of putty is behind the glass. Don’t apply pressure in the middle area especially when installing a large pane or it might break.
Using a small hammer add the panel pins at 200mm intervals and make sure they lie flat with the glass and protrude 5mm out of the wooden frame. Remove the extra putty from the sides of the window.
Run more putty into the rebate around the window. Use a putty knife to smooth the putty into a neat fillet running at an angle of 45, covering the heads of the panel pins. Use a wet putty knife to get a really smooth finish. Let the putty to harden for two weeks after that apply paint to the frame.