DIY - replace UPVC double glazed unit

How to replace your double glazed glass in your UPVC window.
This video breaks the task down and shows you the simple DIY tools and techniques you need to do the job.
You will need :
A hammer
A palette knife or similar
A small block of wood
A tape measure
A long match stick, a pin and some adhesive tape.
Some cleaning materials - kitchen spray and plastic kitchen scourer
PRO TIP - These windows are externally glazed (meaning the glazing beads are removed from the outside, so they are less secure than internally glazed windows).
The PRO TIP is to put "silicone (sealant) between the frame and glass so you can't just take the unit out".

[@marydsmyth]

Great idea with the pin ! Thanks so much for the demo. Will try my first window pane replacement now at the age of 72. Never too old. Mary.😊

[@TheMonobaby]

Excellent video. I'll be attempting a similar task in the next few weeks. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@scottmcdonald3019]

You are welcome. Some feedback from the professional quarters has been: 1 - Don't use a lump hammer, if you have one use a rubber/plastic hammer 2 - Remove the glass unit completely to get an accurate thickness 3 - Don't use a broken pallet knife. 4 - Heel & toe the glazed unit. 5 - silicone seal the glass in place if it's a sliding window

[@BigAL0074]

Wow you can remove the glass from the outside, burglars dream :)

[@keithflying1]

Cool example 👍🍺

[@eurwenwilliams3425]

Thank you so much. This is really helpful and cost-saving, especially if you like a bit of DIY. Can you advise where you bought the double-glazing units from? Thank you.

[@LewieLeway]

Nice vid but I always take my old unit out to check it properly. There is usually a sticker stating the glass used, in my case 4mm float, and the size of the bar, in my case 20mm. Of course, if you do go by the old unit, make sure the original fitters had measured properly in the first place and not left big gaps around the sides.

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Hi LewieLeway, Thanks for watching and also big thanks for your advice. I've had a lot of good added value comments from experienced people like yourself. Which helps us all do a better job. Scott

[@lemsdarkapprentice2535]

Really useful video, loads of thanks. Can anyone help? How do you make sure that the seals around the glass + beads have sealed correctly + won't let air/water through? Do you need to put something like silicone sealant around the inside + outside too?

[@Telstar_1]

The bead clips into the frame and its rubber seal presses against the glass when installed. Any water that gets through will drain out at the bottom of the window frame, where there are internal drain holes in the frame allowing water out.

[@sd3345]

Hi, Thanks for the great video. What are the company's that sell the replacement glass called? just wandering what I need to google.

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Try "double glazed units" in google search then select companies with "glazing" or "glass & glazing" in their names

[@alexmoore447]

When you got the daylight measurement then said take 5mm (ow whatever measurement you said) wouldn’t you add the daylight size other or Heide or would fall away from needing unless I heard wrong being from Australia lol

[@jegthepeg]

All the videos I have watched on the subject show the plastic beading coming away really easily. What if this is not the case and the beading is on really tightly and gets damaged trying to pry it out?

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Hi jegthepeg. In my experience, based on my widnows, the beading is really tight and it takes me ages to slowly up the pressure and change the angles to loosen the first bead. It's important to start on the bead that is the longest one that you can get a good angle on. If you damage the bead slightly, as its plastic, you can snad/cut it to make it look better and at worst case buy some new beading.

[@Robert-ts2ef]

You didn’t show how to measure the thickness with your diy matchstick and pin???

[@johnbrewer9541]

Always start from middle

[@MrSwanseajames]

The tape measure is upside down and it wasn't clear on the video. Are all windows pane's the same width? Thanks

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Hi James, Thanks for your comment. Yes the window pane width depends on the window size and they vary.

[@tullywoolly]

I need to remove my window to fit a sofa through, is it really that simple? Seems easy!

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Yes it sure is Is it a normal window or a patio window ? If a sofa will go through it must be a big window. So you will need someone to help you lift the double glazed unit out. It will be heavy

[@zuts6078]

Peice of mind

[@belnat]

Gonna have a go at doing that myself,what's the going price for replacement glass roughly,and where do you recommend I buy from? Many thanks

[@scottmcdonald3019]

I paid £39 for that double glazed unit. I got it from a local trade window place. This window glass is cheaper because it's not toughened. Bigger units, like patio door units are toughened and cost about twice as much. Just email the size to a few local suppliers. (width, height & thickness and the colour of the spacer which is usually silver). You can get smaller units in the car. Larger ones you will need to get deliverd, so being local is cheaper. Large units can be heavy. I have a large unit to do and I need to get a few friends round because it will weigh 80kgs. Good luck !!

[@belnat]

@@scottmcdonald3019 OK many thanks for the reply 👍

[@rowgli]

@@scottmcdonald3019 80 kg 😳 Roughly how big is the window? I'd never have thought it could be that heavy!

[@scottmcdonald3019]

@@rowgli its about 1800mm x 1400 mm, 6mm toughened glass, it has been quoted at £400, but another £400 for 4 men to lift it into the frame. Normal (from google) 4mm double glazed units weigh in at 20kg/m2, so this 6mm toughened must be about 30kg/m2. I had to lift in a patio door glass. it was a 2 man job.

[@rowgli]

@@scottmcdonald3019 thanks! I'm hoping to replace a door pane that the dogs have 'remodeled'. Hopefully haven't bitten off more than I can chew!

[@whatscookin8269]

How much was the new glass unit ?

[@scottmcdonald3019]

I think about £30 , I picked it up

[@guptanaveeen]

Scott, you mind share where did you order the replacement unit ?

[@scottmcdonald3019]

My local double glazing company

[@MrSwanseajames]

How is the beading on the outside?

[@scottmcdonald3019]

It just is This double glazing is 20 plus years old Wooden glazing beads used to be on the outside, so I guess when these manufacturers started up, they just ported the wood technology to plastic It doesn’t really impact the video. In fact it’s better to show the methods from the outside. The same techniques apply if you had internal beading. Except that it can be more difficult due to restricted access due to brickwork around the windows Hope this helps Thanks for watching and commenting

[@pipgoat5150]

That’s what I thought

[@BigAL0074]

@@scottmcdonald3019 Utterly braindead to do that.

[@nathansudworth1608]

Would suggest researching toe & heeling online as that sash will drop as the glass hasn’t been braced correctly

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Hi Nathan, Thanks for viewing and commenting and the excellent advice. As you saw I just removed the double glazed unit and fitted a new one. The old one had indeed been poorly braced, but the sash hadn't dropped in 15 years. But standards change and things should be done properly I'll get some bracing packing parts and do an additional video showing how to do it. Until then - here is a link to how to Toe & Heel brace a window kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXSmY315m7GBjtk

[@toddbrady8540]

Nathan, your right, also external glazed windows would be stuck on security tape, most units now are 28mm standard, no mention of space bar colour etc etc, Guys a cowboy👍

[@robertbroderick203]

Yep , back the weight up to the hinges with packers

[@garypotter4292]

hmmm why is the beading on the outside of the frame?

[@hughrobertwright]

Older windows used to have it on the outside e.g, at my Dad’s house with 30 year old uPVC windows. Now it’s on the inside

[@northern_element9092]

I'd No-nail them shut if swapping isn't an option. It's a very well known entry method.

[@camkai1998]

They should be on the inside😂🤣😂

[@janeyoung2792]

I could rob that place, systems like these should have silicone between the frame and glass so you can't just take the unit out

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Good point. Thanks for the tip Jane!

[@janeyoung2792]

Was my partner, he does replacement for a living

[@scottmcdonald3019]

@@janeyoung2792 Well that makes it even better - a Pro tip. Thanks again. I'll add it to the info about the video

[@vagablond67]

Right. The beads should be inside, not outside!! And one more thing: the unit hasn't been properly fitted!! This look like a casement window, so the spacers should be in the bottom corner (hinge side) and the opposite one!!

[@claijondasilva]

noticed you did it from outside meaning a burglar can easily access your house this way? I thought these things were from inside only.

[@scottmcdonald3019]

You are right. External beading is less secure that internal beading. But my video isn't about home security it's about replacing the double glazing. The same techniques apply weather the beading is internal or external. Internal beading can be harder to remove though because you cant get the chisel angled properly. PS to get in a person would need a hammer and chisel or similar and I'm not sure it would be that quiet and they'd be pretty obvious.

[@claijondasilva]

yeah sure and thanks for the video. I watched it to learn how to measure the glass but the fact that you were outside alarmed. Then after I replied I noticed that other also mentioned it.

[@lukecarles8432]

Just a quick one for the comments - There’s usually double sided foam tape holding the glass to the internal frame around the window, needs cutting back from the inside - the glass shouldn’t just fall out when beading is removed. Another useful thing you can pick up is a glass gauge measuring tool. Saves taking the glass out the measure the depth

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Thanks for the info Luke. These windows (and glass) are 15 plus yaers old. Clearly double sided foam tape wasnt accepted practice then.

[@samjarman3136]

I've never seen that done in any recent windows I've had fitted...

[@kevindesilva4588]

In my experience of 40 plus years I have never found double sided foam tape in a UPVC window in the UK in fact most manufacturers do not recommend it . I did 8 blown glass replacements last week on 4 different sites and did not see any. Almost all manufacturers recommend that the glass is held in with wedges only no silicone etc.

[@theglassmaster3140]

I honestly have never seen anyone use a A sledge hammer. Lol.

[@scottmcdonald3019]

It's a lump hammer, not a sledge hammer.

[@allanmason3201]

@@scottmcdonald3019 I knew the correct name for the hammer, but you using it made me cringe. My weapon of choice would have been a rubber mallet. I guess you have much more confidence in your hand-eye coordination and you're more certain that nothing you're hammering ever slips.

[@CASHSEC]

Take the longer sides out first.

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Hi Portland DoeBoy, thanks for the comment and that good advice. Yes, one normally starts with the long beads. I did that in the video, but found the left hand side bead too tight, then I tried the bottom bead where I could get a better angle and managed to get into it without damaging it.

[@CASHSEC]

Hi just to let you know I have just finished replacing a DGP in door. I made mistakes and didn't pay attention to the toe and heal. Although the door was in locked position the door dropped causing it to get caught in the guides. Luckily I managed to get it opened by yanking up on the handle. Toe and heal means that you set your gap against the upright of the hinge side then set the space at the bottom using spacers right into to corner against the hinge side. Then set the top opposite corner to the hinge side. That way the glass will act as a bracing strut so the door won't hopefully drop. I liked your video and I shall see if I can play with the hinges to bring the door back. Thanks once again.

[@scottmcdonald3019]

@@CASHSEC Thanks for the comment. I fitted replaced a patio door DGP, see video. Now it's important to silicone the sliding door DGPs otherwise they shift when the door is closed. I forgot to do that because I was focussed on filming. Now the DGP has slide to the side. I'll do a video on fixing that . Which Portland are you from? Dorset/England or Oregan?

[@CASHSEC]

I tend to keep my location Private as was once badly trolled with vicious remarks from a guy in Texas following a post on FB about Forest Friends. I much prefer talking to guys like yourself who come up with such constructed thought and put the time doing good video. My Internet speed so slow that I gave up trying. We can teach each other so much. Take care and I will check out your video on doors. My main task now is to see how the hinges can be adjusted and hope that the screws are not seized.

[@philhode5104]

What the hell,since when has beading been on outside, im going robbing tonight, easy peasy

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Please do a KZbin video on it. To help us all skill up robbing!

[@scottmcdonald3019]

The window frames are 20 years old. In those days it was a thing. I guess they ported wooden frame thinking across to plastic

[@polskonowa]

Am not sure if I got this right, but anyone can remove those plastic frames and gain entry to your house with minimum effort and noise! I believe this should be accessed from inside the house not outside. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@scottmcdonald3019]

You are right. External beading is less secure that internal beading. But my video isn't about home security it's about replacing the double glazing. The same techniques apply weather the beading is internal or external. PS to get in a person would need a hammer and chisel or similar and I'm not surer it would be that quiet

[@Weareeverything2023]

It is very easy to remove internal beading if you know how to do it, even from the outside with the glass unit in place. How safe and secure you believe either system is tends to depend on the salesperson who sold it to you.

[@grahamshillingford8229]

Very secure that glass unit is..... burglars would have a field day, you should have used security tape and if it were a side opener the unit will need to healing and toeing to stop the weight dropping the sash. I wouldn't advise anybody to do this without experience & knowledge, so much can go wrong very quickly...

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Hi Graham Thanks for the comment. You aren’t the first to note that external glazing strips are less secure than modern internal ones. The technique is the same for internal or external beading , although acres is usually more restricted on the internal beading

[@Andrew-qv2qu]

You didn’t show how you achieved the thickness. Showing that tool you made gave no indication/ demonstration…

[@scottmcdonald3019]

It's best to remove the pane and measure it with a tape measure

[@attermire2109]

externally glazed?!?!?!?!

[@scottmcdonald3019]

Yes I was surprised too. I assumed that for security the glazing beads would be internal. But half of my windows are externally glazed.