DUAL PANE WINDOW GLASS REPAIR

Written by John Rocco


DUAL PANE WINDOW GLASS REPAIR

Forrepparttar past few weeks, I have been explaining how to repair a broken window pane in your home. But, what if you have dual pane windows? Isrepparttar 100043 processrepparttar 100044 same? Well, pretty much, except for a couple of variations. So, let's reviewrepparttar 100045 single pane repair process, and I will point outrepparttar 100046 differences regarding dual pane windows.

When we start talking about dual pane windows, one ofrepparttar 100047 first things that comes to mind is vinyl window frames instead of aluminum. When dealing with dual pane windows, you can have either aluminum or vinyl frames, depending onrepparttar 100048 yearrepparttar 100049 house was built. Dual pane glass got popular inrepparttar 100050 1980's, but vinyl frames didn't really catch on untilrepparttar 100051 1990's. So, if your house is less than 10 years old, chances are you have vinyl framed windows. In either case, I will discussrepparttar 100052 differences. Let's say you have a sliding aluminum frame window with dual pane glass. The procedure for removingrepparttar 100053 frame fromrepparttar 100054 opening andrepparttar 100055 glass fromrepparttar 100056 sash isrepparttar 100057 same as withrepparttar 100058 single pane windows. The differences are, first,repparttar 100059 glass goes intorepparttar 100060 frame about twice as far asrepparttar 100061 single pane window. The single pane window glass went 1/4" intorepparttar 100062 surrounding rubber. The dual pane usually goes 1/2" intorepparttar 100063 rubber. So, if both pieces of glass have been broken, you are going to have to order a new IGU (Insulated Glass Unit) fromrepparttar 100064 local glass shop. They are going to want to knowrepparttar 100065 width, height, overall thickness, and possiblyrepparttar 100066 individual glass thickness. The best way to getrepparttar 100067 dimensions is to measurerepparttar 100068 width and height from rubber to rubber, write those numbers down. Then, removerepparttar 100069 panel fromrepparttar 100070 opening and place it on a table like we did withrepparttar 100071 single pane window. Removerepparttar 100072 screws from opposite corners and pull ofrepparttar 100073 frame. You will be able to see how farrepparttar 100074 glass goes intorepparttar 100075 surrounding rubber. If it's 1/2", then you want to add 1" torepparttar 100076 width and height that you measured previously (1/2" times two sides= 1"). Then, measurerepparttar 100077 overall thickness ofrepparttar 100078 unit by removingrepparttar 100079 rubber fromrepparttar 100080 glass edge. Typically, this dimension is 1/2", but not always. There is a metal spacer that dividesrepparttar 100081 two panes of glass. Make a note ofrepparttar 100082 color so you can requestrepparttar 100083 same color inrepparttar 100084 new IGU. It's either going to be silver or bronze. If you want to getrepparttar 100085 same size spacer, you need to giverepparttar 100086 glass shoprepparttar 100087 thickness of each piece of glass inrepparttar 100088 IGU. Ifrepparttar 100089 old unit has 1/8" glass on both sides, andrepparttar 100090 overall thickness ofrepparttar 100091 unit is 1/2", then they will use a 1/4" spacer. Ifrepparttar 100092 glass is 3/32" on both sides, they will use a 5/16" spacer. If you don't care about matchingrepparttar 100093 spacer thickness, you can requestrepparttar 100094 thicker 1/8" glass, and they will automatically use a 1/4" spacer.

When you getrepparttar 100095 new IGU home,repparttar 100096 installation isrepparttar 100097 same asrepparttar 100098 single pane window. Now, what if only one side ofrepparttar 100099 IGU has been broken? Many timesrepparttar 100100 outer pane will break, butrepparttar 100101 inside pane is fine. You can order a whole new IGU like we just did, or, if you'rerepparttar 100102 adventurous type, you can order onlyrepparttar 100103 single pane of glass that was broken and replace it. I'm going to explain how to do it, then i'm going to tell yourepparttar 100104 things that can go wrong. After you haverepparttar 100105 window pane onrepparttar 100106 table withrepparttar 100107 surrounding frame removed, you will see a black rubber type substance aroundrepparttar 100108 edge whererepparttar 100109 spacer is applied. This is a butyl sealant, and you have to separaterepparttar 100110 broken glass from this butyl. The best way to do it is to take a utility knife with a new blade and break throughrepparttar 100111 butyl where it meetsrepparttar 100112 broken glass. Then, take a new hacksaw blade, and push it intorepparttar 100113 area where you sparatedrepparttar 100114 butyl fromrepparttar 100115 glass. You don't wantrepparttar 100116 hacksaw blade to be attached to a hacksaw. Using your hand, saw back and forth as you work your way aroundrepparttar 100117 edge ofrepparttar 100118 glass. This should allow you to removerepparttar 100119 glass. Once that's done, lay rags on top ofrepparttar 100120 good piece of glass to catch any debris, and scraperepparttar 100121 surface ofrepparttar 100122 spacer that will be contactingrepparttar 100123 new glass. Use a putty knife. Then, removerepparttar 100124 rags and debris. When you are ready to putrepparttar 100125 new glass on, cleanrepparttar 100126 inside ofrepparttar 100127 good piece of glass that you didn't remove. Remember, once you installrepparttar 100128 new glass, any debris or finger marks onrepparttar 100129 inside will be permanently sealed. So, clean it real good and check it from all angles. Dorepparttar 100130 same torepparttar 100131 side ofrepparttar 100132 new glass that will be going torepparttar 100133 inside ofrepparttar 100134 IGU. Then, run a thin bead of clear silicone aroundrepparttar 100135 entire perimeter ofrepparttar 100136 spacer. Set your new glass onrepparttar 100137 spacer and use finger pressure to adhererepparttar 100138 glass torepparttar 100139 silicone allrepparttar 100140 way around.Then, come in fromrepparttar 100141 side, and run silicone aroundrepparttar 100142 side whererepparttar 100143 glass and spacer meet. Coverrepparttar 100144 window opening with something for 24 hours. You do not want to touchrepparttar 100145 IGU for 24 hours. The silicone needs to cure. After 24 hours, you can assemblerepparttar 100146 unit and install it back intorepparttar 100147 opening.

At Last - Barefoot Comfort All Year Long

Written by Faith Williams


Ever wonder what it would feel like to walk barefoot in your house all year long and be comfortable? Electric radiant floor warming systems answer that question. Electric radiant floor warming uses a thin mesh mat with a heating element woven throughout to heat open floor areas. Rooms such as baths and kitchens are popular places people like to have extra warmth, but don’t forgetrepparttar foyer, mudroom, laundry room – or just about any room inrepparttar 100042 house! Using radiant heat,repparttar 100043 heat stored inrepparttar 100044 floor is similar torepparttar 100045 heat provided by a radiator. The heated floor radiates heat torepparttar 100046 people and objects inrepparttar 100047 room. The flooring surface is maintained at a comfortable, yet higher temperature thanrepparttar 100048 ambient temperature ofrepparttar 100049 floor beforerepparttar 100050 heat was turned on. Sincerepparttar 100051 heat is conducted and radiated from floor level up, it helps to provide a warm and comfortable environment forrepparttar 100052 occupants ofrepparttar 100053 room, unlike forced air, which tends to concentrate most ofrepparttar 100054 warm air near ceiling level. It provides even, uniform heat throughoutrepparttar 100055 room, withoutrepparttar 100056 visibility of heaters or losing floor space to heating units. For installation,repparttar 100057 subfloor should be clear of debris and sharp edges or objects that might damagerepparttar 100058 element. Loose boards should be repaired and all gaps filled in to assurerepparttar 100059 mat will be installed over a smooth and even surface. John O’Brien, Director of Sales and Marketing for Radiant Floor Warming, a company providing electric radiant systems, says, “ Our mat is only 1/8” thick – ideal for ceramic tile and stone since it will not add torepparttar 100060 finished floor height. Our material is fully covered byrepparttar 100061 thinset or underlayment used inrepparttar 100062 tile installation.” The ceramic tile or stone is then installed accordingrepparttar 100063 manufacturers’ and industry standards. Renovations as well as new construction can benefit from electric radiant heating. Unlike a hydronic system that needs a boiler to heatrepparttar 100064 water and flexible piping throughoutrepparttar 100065 heated area, electric radiant heating can be done in small open areas with “spot heating” mats designed just for that area. Consideration of permanent fixtures and furniture plays an important role since electric radiant heat is not recommended under these areas. The heat needs to dissipate and if there is a fixture flush withrepparttar 100066 floor,repparttar 100067 heat has nowhere to escape. And besides, who wants to pay for heat you can’t feel?

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