Can you replace the glass in double glazed windows?

If you think your double glazing needs replacing, you’re probably wondering whether you can replace only the glass, rather than the entire frame. The short answer is yes, you can replace the glass, but there are a number of things to consider before you reach the point of replacing windows.

Are you experiencing any faults with your windows? Can you replace the windows yourself? How often should you replace your windows? We’ll look at all this, and more, in the following article.

What Are the Most Common Faults with Double Glazing?

Even if you’ve followed all the window maintenance advice, you can still encounter issues with your new windows. A study by Which asked homeowners what common double gazing faults they experienced….

• 34% said their windows became difficult to open or close
• 15% experienced issues with window locks not working
• 18% noticed windows or doors dropped over time and didn’t fit as well
• 12% said the seals around doors and windows failed
• 9% reported the glass was steaming up and they had issues with condensation
• 5% noted that their double glazing had cracked or shattered

We’ll dive into why some of these issues occur below.

Windows or doors becoming difficult to open or close

If your double glazed windows or doors become difficult to open and close, they may need repairing. Your doors and windows can become difficult to open for a number of reasons, including:

• Faulty locks and handles or hinges shifting over time
• Hot and cold weather causing frames to expand and shrink

Windows or doors dropping over time, so they don’t fit as well

One of the key reasons windows or doors become hard to open or close is that they have dropped over time. A double glazed window or door that doesn’t fit the frame correctly loses its energy efficiency. Other signs your double glazing needs fixing due to sagging include:

• Loose hinges that don’t improve when you tighten the screws
• Doors and windows that get ‘stuck’ when you open and close them
• No improvement when you’ve oiled hinges and handles
• Feeling a draught entering the home where the window or door doesn’t fit correctly

Locks not working

The locks on your windows and doors can also fail and compromise the security of your home. To keep your family and possessions safe, repair broken locks as soon as you notice them.

Glass steaming up or problems with condensation

Steamed glass is a bad sign for double glazed windows as the constant presence of water can weaken the seal and result in mould. If you notice condensation or cloudiness between the two panes, your windows probably need replacing. The good news is that there are preventative measures you can take to help avoid condensation in the first place:

• Ventilate rooms with fresh air by opening windows
• Open windows when showering or bathing to let steam escape
• Use extractor fans where possible
• Install ventilation systems – trickle vents and air bricks can help
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity levels within your home

Seals around doors or windows failing

The seals in your double glazed windows or doors can fail for a number of reasons. It’s important that you get these faults fixed to maintain the energy efficiency of your windows.

• Natural wear and tear over time: As our windows age, so does the quality of the seals around them.
• Weather damage: In summer months, fluctuating temperatures can cause the glass to expand and shrink which places additional pressure on the seal. This process can damage the seal due to extra stress.
• Faulty manufacturing: Damaged window seals can occur from faulty manufacturing or poor quality materials so choose a double glazing specialist with excellent reviews. If broken seals occur due to product faults, your manufacturer may have a window warranty in place.
• Improper maintenance: The more care we treat our windows with, the longer they will last. Pressure washers or strong cleaning products can wear the plastic down and damage the seal.

Double glazing cracking or shattering

Windows can break or crack, depending on the weather conditions and the way you treat them. Prevent damage to your windows by:

• Opt for tempered glass when you have your double glazing fitted.
• Choose pale-coloured window coverings avoiding extreme temperature differences.
• Reduce humidity in your home by using a dehumidifier.
• Be careful around your double glazed windows and check for any scratches in the glass regularly. Any damage to the glass creates weak points, which can cause more damage to your windows later on.

Can I Replace My Double Glazing Myself?

You can tackle many home improvement tasks yourself, but even skilled DIYers should avoid attempting to replace double glazing as it’s difficult to get it right. While it can be tempting to ‘cut down’ on costs, we’d always recommend finding highly rated professionals to replace your double glazing to avoid further costs in the long run.

86.7% of UK homes had double glazing installed by 2020 as it’s a great energy saving option. While successful double glazing can save you money on your bills, an unsuccessful attempt to repair or replace double glazing yourself can actually end up costing you money.

Here are just a few of the reasons you should seek a professional to replace your double glazing.

You won’t save time and the specialist equipment you’ll need is expensive.

Repairing and replacing double glazed windows yourself requires a great deal of effort. The reinstallation of double glazed windows involves specialist skills and insights, particularly when you consider that the replacement of each variety of window will require a different approach.

It would take a long time figuring out how to do it correctly and you’d need specialist tools such as glazing knives, glass lifters, power tools, soft-faced glazing hammers and glazing PPE so you’ll likely be even more out of pocket than you would if you decided to go with a professional. If you cause damage or shoddy work needs to be redone, you’ll have to bear the cost of that as well.

You’ll void the manufacturer’s warranty

Window manufacturers offer a warranty with their products, sometimes providing lifetime warranty policies that can last for decades. The majority of window warranties cover all elements of the window, including hardware (handles, locks), the glass, frame, and finish of your window.

When considering whether you should repair or replace your windows yourself, it’s important to remember that the manufacturer’s warranty will be invalidated if the installation isn’t done by a professional. This is because most DIY replacements by non-professionals are not done to a suitable standard. Even if you think your work seems satisfactory to begin with, mistakes can quickly reveal themselves and render your efforts pointless.

You may lose out on the energy savings.

When it’s done properly, double glazed windows are highly energy efficient as they reduce the amount of heat that is able to escape through your windows. This means you could save hundreds on energy bills every year.

Energy savings are often the biggest appeal when it comes to having double glazing installed. If your DIY double glazing replacement project goes wrong, however, you’ll lose the insulating benefit of double glazing.

FAQs about replacing double glazed windows

Replace the pane, not the frame

If your window frames are in good condition, Cloudy2Clear can repair your window at the fraction of the cost of a full replacement. Whether you have cloudy, misted up glass, or are looking to update your windows, save money by replacing only the parts of your window that are faulty with Cloudy2Clear.

Contact one of our specialists for advice now.