How to Repair a Double Pane Window | Ask This Old House

[@johnsmith-js9nv]

I want to say how nice it is to see Tommy in good health and still teaching us all. We have watched and grown with so many people on TOH. The new ones are continuing the excellence of the old guard.

[@Jmp5nb]

Another excellent example of manufacturing, removing, and installing a product!

[@gmurray3616]

Thanks for another informative video. Some of my work I hire out and your videos help me to at least understand how the repair person will do the work and helps me to know what questions to ask. Again, thank you.

[@BertPle]

Here in the Netherlands it is very usual to replace only the glass. In almost every city there is a glass company you can call (24/7 in case of emergency) and they replace the glass for you. You can even order it yourself online when you know what to buy. Production takes +/- 20 days. There is no one here who want to replace the whole window only because the glass is cracked. Every kind of window (wood / plastic (vinyl)) has replaceable glass. Also we place thin plastic shims between the glass and the window to clamp the glass tight, so the window stays square.

[@herculesrockefeller8969]

They replaced only the glass. What are you talking about?

[@scotttovey]

@@herculesrockefeller8969 Watch the video and pay attention to the expert talking about the different types of windows. He is talking about the fact that some people decide to defraud their customers with products that force you to replace the sash rather than just the window.

[@dave.23.]

​@@herculesrockefeller8969Did you watch the video? Because that is exactly what they did... just replaced the glass.

[@BertPle]

@@herculesrockefeller8969 They talk about it like it is an exception that only the glass will be replaced. Like in the introduction of the video when Tommie is in the car. He said “often the replace the whole sash”.

[@MoeBabaloosh]

I have cheap double-hung vinyl windows throughout the house, and there's no option to replace only the glass. I'd jump at the opportunity to have a window with serviceable components! Next set of windows we buy will definitely have this feature now that I know it exists 👍

[@dorothysmith7289]

Thanks for another great video. I worked in the glass industry (Low-E was our product) so when I replaced 100 yr old French windows, I sourced the 2 pane windows. Now the rooms are quiet and my energy bills went way down. 😊

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

When you say "sourced", are you talking about sending out for quotes?

[@CP-nf9my]

@@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time I think he means he did the same as the video and called a glass company instead to have the glass panes made for him instead of a window company to replace the entire window.

[@Reefdevil]

This is the way to go. Fixed 3 windows in my house just like this. Cost should be around $400 a pane… installed

[@teezellous9593]

Thanks for sharing the cost! I was wondering

[@scaramouche8244]

what if the window does not come out?

[@Efungable]

Are you located in the nyc area by any chance?

[@ashleybullmore]

That's still too expensive

[@stretchhurion6702]

as a glazer I would never have told the people that they had to replace the whole window they are just never made that way but thanks for a tour of where they are made all of the ones I made were all made by hand no machines involved

[@DougCeleste]

VERY rare to see Tom on a project with someone else doing the main work. Nice new window, too!

[@stupidtakenids]

This Old House saves the day.... again! Thanks.

[@alfredo8431]

Finally a good video that answered my questions

[@oldskoolwayy]

This old house making warehouse visits wow...this is new

[@Zero11_ss]

Her house is massive wow.

[@UnbeatableRep]

Nowadays getting the double pane glass is pretty easy. Some window companies only focus on new installations and some companies do repairs and replacement/ new installs. Also most manufacturers give you a lifetime warranty with glass breakage warranty as well. Just a matter of getting in touch with the manufacturer and giving them the serial number associated with the window (included on your window order or stickers on the window sashes/ frame.

[@ohthatsclever]

That glass sheet falling at 5:25 freaked me out. I guess that surface is designed to absorb the force, but I thought that sheet would shatter.

[@drsoils]

i was thinking they have some air blowers to smooth the fall? idk

[@themalacast]

factories are really good at this sort of thing 😂

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

@@themalacast Get one of those air hockey tables and try it at home.😅🤣

[@vickishort5148]

Desiccant is not for insulation but to remove moisture from between the glass at time of manufacture

[@nDkHDf]

Procedure is very easy. I've done it by my self without any manuals.

[@--JohnDoe]

Very professional. I enjoyed that.

[@rosewd2]

I'd like to see how you get the double pane glass out of of a double hung vinyl window. I have a few windows where one of the halves have gotten cloudy inside.

[@Fluffypotato1990]

Typically it follows the same method as in the video. I worked in the window industry for awhile and the method was the same for the double hung windows as well as slider windows or even picture windows. You remove the beading which was the vinyl trim you see in the video and get yourself a deglazing tool. To reinstall the new glass, You then apply a silicon caulk on the inside edge of the sash and drop in the new glass pane, and reapply the vinyl trim and you should be good to go. As the video also did mention, Its wise to let the silicon caulk cure for 24 to 48hrs so avoid any pushing on the newly installed glass.

[@cup_and_cone]

​​@@Fluffypotato1990Not on my vinyl windows. In Florida ours are hurricane rated vinyl and all the vinyl miter joints are plastic welded together (I'm assume they use ultrasonic welding). Whole window replacement is pretty much the only option.

[@LuisSanchez-wf9zw]

@@Fluffypotato1990and where can we get the sash glass?

[@Scubamike4499]

Just be aware, the stops on the casement sash are the luxury type. Cheaper brands have a super thin plastic stop that usually breaks, especially when it's cold. Tons of brands out there, so you can win or lose

[@rosewd2]

@@Scubamike4499 I got the sash out, they tilt in to clean and are easy to get out of the frame. Now how do you get the insulated glass pane out of the sash? The glass shop wants over $100 to replace the glass. Im sure the glass isn't that much, its the labor to get it out.

[@buzzlightyear8507]

Wow, what a great solution.

[@SteveBennet500]

7:10 comes with a free fingerprint? 😂

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

Comes with a small steel hammer labeled "Use this to break out glass in case of emergency."🤣

[@alext8828]

You'd think they'd give the guy gloves, if only for the video. Wonder if they do that in Japan.

[@walter.bellini]

Great video guys thank you for sharing this out!

[@2aminitials]

Before replacing the broken or fogged up insulated glass contact the window manufacturer to see if the window is under warranty. I did a sash that failed for a friend and the manufacturer sent a new sash to them for the cost of shipping only.

[@terry2346]

Wonder iuf you could replace the glass on a single pane window with a double pane glass only replacement? I love our wooden windows and the frames are beautiful and in good condition and almost 2 inches thick. Would be cool to replace the glass only. May have to look into that!

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

How does the heat bake the glass in the winter time when it's 32 degrees and below outside?

[@cowcabobizle]

Tommy! Thanks y'all at TOH. I needed this video for my house.

[@asegarra5279]

Great work! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@leonelvasquez6369]

Appreciate useful info Thxs !

[@jacoblacey1811]

Great video 📹 and Work project

[@kenmitchell3355]

Excellent

[@richardbrobeck2384]

nice repair !

[@johnroberts2444]

Did this woman have to pay for just the glass & the labor , nice job Tom & Rich ! 👍😊

[@martinralph5811]

I didn't see Argon gas being put into the sash. Should this be done? Did I just miss it? Or is it not necessary? Thanks

[@kevinmolick]

I would like to know how to replace old insulated glass that does NOT have a removable stop moulding. I have 60 year old doors that are in good condition exept for the old glass. I'd like to reuse the doors and install low E glass.

[@gregorymosher5008]

Glaziers: oooooh he didn't use setting blocks!!

[@flaviuskern225]

Diggin the 90’s carpenter jeans on Rich…

[@ShadowzGSD]

they could have spent a few minutes to change clothes so it looked like they waited a few weeks for the glass instead of having everything ready to be done in 1 day. 🤣

[@derewreck]

They probably sent Kevin or Ross there ahead of time to get the measurements.

[@TJsVette]

I was thinking the same thing haha

[@TannerSwizel]

I just wish they scripted it less awkwardly, but the message is still there at least

[@c0mputer]

What probably happened was each person was at the end of their clothing cycle so the 2 weeks went by but they all happen to wear the same clothes again. It’s rare but it happens.

[@derewreck]

@@c0mputer most likely scenario. It was their only clean clothes available.

[@edp2506]

Just excellent! Anyone know how to get rid of fog/haze that's piled up in a double pane window just like this? Saw couple of vids on youtube with one guy making some pipe like needles to inject alcohol into a hole drilled into window or frame of window. Anything easier? hehe

[@danmc2678]

I saw that video. Looks like a hassle. Better to buy a new glass panel.

[@ericastier1646]

I have window problem, i am not sure what i can do. Build in 2006 half circle double pane window on top of a rectangular slide bottom window underneath. The problem is haze inside the half circle window. There is some white vinyl sticks inside between the two panes . I guess the unit joint has failed and let humidity in. But this is a 2nd floor condo and i don't want to shell big bucks to fix this. As per hoa documents i only own the interior side. Anything outside is the hoa's responsibility. I see vinyl glazing sticks on the interior window perimeter which can probably be uninstalled like in the video, but i guess the window unit is glued together ? In that case i cannot access inside the double pane to clean it. It's not glass it's plastic windows. I guess another solution is to drill a hole but if there is an easy way to disasemble the double panes to clean it, i would prefer that. No matter what, i will not pay to replace the window unit, screw that.

[@Guardducks]

Hey, pops is back. 👏🏽

[@MCEdziits]

5:27 how it did not break? :O

[@brandonmohammed5715]

Good content

[@kathrynmiles8911]

I have a house full of floor to ceiling double pane metal frame windows. They were installed in my newly constructed home 14 years ago and we are now seeing several that have foggy interiors. I am very concerned about how to repair them but even more concerned about the costs because of the number of windows that have already begun to loose their seal. The company that sold them to me has gone out of business making this even more difficult. Do you have any suggestions? Also, is this normal or did I just get lemons instead of well made commercial windows?

[@danmc2678]

Apparently, they can be cleaned? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoncgoqngJ6fnZIsi=_w7O5oJuXFJmAMw8

[@mooseproservices7032]

Can I remove just one side to replace with tempered glass. If so how do I get the black silicone or sika flex soft to remove the one side?

[@danmc2678]

It is way easier to have a glass shop make a new double pane with one side tempered then just install the new glass. You can order the glass over the internet if you can't get it locally.

[@derewreck]

Tommy was having fun calling in the ‘window expert’ and pretending that he didn’t already know all there is to know about windows. He probably had to school the guy up off camera.

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

And paid him with a brown bag, seeing it was a homeless bum he recruited. Had a neighbor who had a garage built by her Uncle and his crew, part of the payment agreement stated she had to provide a bottle of vodka to him at the end of each workday. It was a two car garage so it took many days to complete. I imagine he went home and polished off that bottle, and he was always there the next day like clockwork, talk about your functioning alcoholic. 😅🤣😂

[@cz3468]

What company should i called that will make me the glass, it seems the businesses i see online want to replace my windows.

[@jbrukardt]

What's the right search term to find someone who can do this in your area? Everyone here wants to either just replace the whole window.... or all the windows in the home.

[@rayRay-pw6gz]

Search replacement window manufacturers in your area. You may be able to just remove the window and give it to them and pick it up the next day. Depending on the type of window you have. I replaced 29 windows and had three that were not manufactured right. They told me to install them anyway and then a technician showed up several days later and just disassembled them right there and reassembled. All good.

[@InspectorEJ11]

If you have existing windows and search for window companies they will all want to just replace the whole windows. Try and find the manufacturer of the windows you have to get warranty service work done.

[@Juan-py4sb]

Im getting charged $385 for a 45" by 22" glass.Just about the same thing.Im in central California. Is it to much?

[@spyda450]

Marcus left a finger smudge on the glass before it went in to be sealed at 7:11. Hope that wasn't inside the window!

[@caketricky5377]

Thats actually the first surface of glass because it doesn’t have the aluminum channel on it. The first piece is inserted into machine and picked up with suction and then pressed into the second piece with the aluminum channel on it. So that finger smudge would be on the outside of the window and cleaned at the end of the process after they show the sealing of the unit.

[@InspectorEJ11]

Having worked for two of the largest window manufacturers in the US that kind of thing happens a lot! Very easy to get a finger print, smudge, or hair on the inside of the two panes of glass.

[@purpleidea]

They either didn't film or add the pinch rings on the window that hold those support arms on.

[@Bremend]

Wouldn't they have already been there?

[@gingery3k]

y que reparo? hizo una nueva....

[@Brian77766]

After the sealant is manually applied around the outside of the unit, here in the uk we apply a black duct tape around it too, saves sealant drying time which speeds up the production process.

[@InspectorEJ11]

A lot of manufacturers in the US use a double sided foam like tape to secure the glass to the sash. No liquid sealant

[@arth.4196]

Tom, if you retire and you get a tree, I will be a student in your part-time class 2 hours a day 2 days a week. Give me time to schedule a flight. 😊

[@b4lt4z4r85]

how can you even suggest to replace entire set of windows? trim holding glass pops out for a reason some people are plain greedy

[@kimbonice]

Sometimes it's not greed, but incompetence which unfortunately is fairly common amongst contractors

[@TheDizzack]

They 100% busted that glass pack trying to get it out.

[@shilra2272]

It takes a couple weeks to make a glass, but why is she wearing the same exact clothes 😂😂

[@adamgain4883]

Same thought 😂😂😂

[@TiffanyOrphanides]

We can get glass same day in my area

[@tonytango6676]

So exactly what is a sash?

[@InspectorEJ11]

A sash is the ‘unit’ they are working on. The glass sits in the sash, the sash sits in the window. In a lot of cases the sash is the moveable or operable portion of the window. Fixed windows (ones that do not operate) can also have sashes, just depends on manufacturer and style of the window.

[@stich1960]

I want to know how rich measured the glass without popping open the frame. Is he just guessing?

[@Scubamike4499]

Basically experience and knowing the brand helps He measures from the outside to outside of those removable stops, then subtracts for expansion.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

This was a staged filming all on the same day where everything was ready to go. Someone else came out on the initial day to do all the real measuring. Notice how he isn't even writing down anything.

[@frenchgreguk]

They should have showed the heel and toe process as the glass is so heavy, if the weight is not carried by the hinges, it would be out of sync and would not close / lock. But overall, good video. (Oh and no need to take the sash out)

[@thinktoomuchb4028]

Wait. Closing your curtains can lead to window failure!?

[@LuisSanchez-wf9zw]

Why doesn’t toh ever show the maker or product they are using such as the silicone? All the rest of the makers on KZbin have shown this in their videos which matters and shows what pros use and actually helps viewers.

[@allegory7638]

"The low e would be on the third surface, which would be inside layer..." A VERY significant detail which is never mentioned again in the video. Tommy is great but the producers of ATOH always seem to present on a fifth-grade level.

[@peterjanis2455]

Thats crazy what are the odds they all wear the same outfit two weeks later when the guy came back!

[@petersack5074]

?....hmm. I got front windows, of mobile home - doing this ...BUT, ? nothing ' cracked ' nor visibly broken. The seal, around both glass pains....er panes....broken, i suppose. No other reasons...

[@AliAlAhmed4]

I hope the program will stop filming hosts speaking to the camera while they drive. Many lives are lost every year because of such behavior. Safety is important

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

Hollywood production, scenery on a big screen inside a studio, and every once in a while a guy in the back jumps up and down on the bumper.😆😅🤣😂

[@IAMthatIAM992]

5 minutes in and they still haven't replaced the darn window.

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

They plan ahead for KZbin, knowing full well they will get paid by the minute. That's why the majority of posted KZbinrs are long winded in their clips.

[@MikeVirgo-ut9zz]

Having spent my life in the window industry amazed at the lack of technical knowledge the unit that broken is laminated unit .should be toughened if below.800mm from floor level .although the unit is sealed with silicone on inside as soon as it is installed it will sit on pvc frame u need to raise the glass on packers that will allow any water ingress to drain out through drainage holes also heel and toe glass to prevent sash from dropping

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

The lesson here is not all dealers/installers are either knowledgeable or honest. the first guy could have done the same thing. at 81 I've seen business's go form honest good service to how can I cheat this customer and make lots of money.( that's the polite way of saying it!.

[@dennisfurlow5367]

Replace double pane glass

[@orangethumb6942]

I was wondering do they ever discuss how much they charge and how much it cost to do any of these jobs? I I never really see No Craftsman cost or the material cost. It's probably so expensive they don't wanna talk about it

[@ChavezDIY]

They never discuss the cost on the show. I believe the homeowners have to pay for all the materials, be willing to put in labor, and cooperate with filming in exchange for professional help. This seemed like a collaboration and ad for the glass company.

[@dirkbogarde9868]

Repair?

[@alext8828]

After the window is cleaned and dried, the guy puts his bare fingers right on it. Unbelievable.

[@redneckbryon]

Isn’t this segment supposed to be in next weeks episode of, Ask This Old house??

[@oldskoolwayy]

And he is wrong about heat not passing through because of curtains..the heat will flow around the loose ends of window covering or above the open space

[@briancnc]

Unfortunately the way they are made now you're sunk for doing this anymore. Sometimes it's a tradeoff though, as building a product you know doesn't have to come apart can be made much more solid and airtight, but unfortunately everything has followed the iphone manufacturing mentality.

[@jbrukardt]

how can you tell if you can do this with your windows? Mine are from somewhere around 2004 and I have one that I broke the outer pane with a lawnmower

[@carolvanwinkle3524]

​@@jbrukardt😊

[@oldskoolwayy]

Sad people have these lavished homes and cant afford to fix when something breaks

[@CP-nf9my]

It's not that we can't afford it. It's we're not gonna pay that price-it's not fair-as far as we're concerned. That's why we can buy a lavish home in the first place. BTW, this home is not lavish.

[@ikust007]

Yup! Issues we don’t have with real old windows . And yes , with a storm window, they are efficient . One must calculate the heat loss/ surface of walls. So much misinformation out there

[@XzTS-Roostro]

Got two windows that has its seal cracked, so all the argon gas has leaked out.

[@General4474]

No, no no. There’s an easier way. If you have a double pain of glass in a window and one of the pans is broken What are you do is remove all the glass from the pain. And most climates that actually has fully remedied the problem of a broken pain. You still have one pain. And it cost you nothing. If you have a winter climate, then find something temporary like a piece of plastic or some thing that fits that pain and put that in there is a second layer. I got quoted 500 to replace one pain on a small window. So using my message, you can do it for free and it’ll look at least back to normal until later when you might have the extra money to properly properly remedy the window

[@chooisc5297]

She can afford a monstrous sized house but can't buy a whole new window 💩🤣

[@rickfromthecape3135]

Next she gets her clothes washer fixed.

[@admanassas1853]

sheeeetz I cant do this

[@nkwarts7966]

What a strange story. In west EU (the Netherlands and Germany for sure) there is in the aluminum the size stamped. So if it is broken you just order an new dubbel glass and place it

[@the_hood_cat_5553]

Well this sounds like a real pain in the glass

[@ringtyler]

Don't you mean pane lol

[@HAMRADIOJOE4178]

3 WEEKS LATER, AND SHES STILL WEARING THE SAME DRESS

[@BofaUs]

Who says she doesn’t have 30 dresses that look similar that she keeps in rotation

[@Scubamike4499]

Im not some safety nazi, but am i the only one wondering why most of the workers at the factory aren't wearing gloves carrying the gas around

[@changedahanddlessss]

tommy is popular with the ladies XD

[@seetherage]

Did they really have to pretend that they were coming back in a few weeks and take some fake measurements for the camera? Feels dishonest for some reason. Maybe the obvious acting. Just say they came a few weeks ago, took measurements and ordered the replacement pane which you all have now.

[@JimzAuto]

How would you squeeze ‘a few weeks’ into a 12 minute video?

[@seetherage]

@@JimzAuto They already had to do the prep work, so why lie about it? It’s obviously not a big deal, it just bothered me for some reason. Maybe because on their old stuff they would say they did the prep work before instead of walking off camera and back and pretend that a week has gone by.

[@JimzAuto]

@@seetherage no lies detected, they made it clear replacement would take ‘a few weeks’. They even went to a factory and showed the new-window build in detail. I enjoyed the presentation as it was thorough and detailed.

[@seetherage]

What I meant by lie was the mock prep/measurement acting that was done, followed by a more acting to make it seem like they came back a week later. Not sure if you are being disingenuous just for the sake of trolling or just reading too literal into things. Seems like more people took issue with this presentation from the comments, I guess I should have read first before commenting on something that was already said (top comment). Oh well.

[@JimzAuto]

@@seetherage i think ‘mock’ is better than ‘acting’. The presentation seemed genuine and informative to me. Guess I am being ‘too literal’ as I actually watched the video and have a cracked double-pane window.

[@Its_crazyadamla]

That will be $300 and 3 months later......

[@Rudy1150]

I live in a 20 year old home with cheap windows and had this exact procedure. done. Several years later the new double panes have no problem. Payback on replacement windows is terrible and much more economical to go with cheaper route.

[@Reefdevil]

@@Rudy1150 100% this. Fix them one at a time as they blow.

[@oldskoolwayy]

Man she could have done that

[@Cypher791]

🪟😮

[@dwp2659]

weeks later and she is wearing the same clothes

[@arth.4196]

Not a tree 😮😅

[@JonWick45]

😂

[@arth.4196]

Antzee, sorry

[@robertsmith987]

how is this diy or cost efficient lol she is having a pro do it

[@shukriaapso8404]

Excellent video but I just want to say that European windows are just so so much better and practical. Not only they open in way that you can actually wash them from both sides, but also you can actually have curtains whose only purpose of existence is to be used with windows 😅 🪟