Vinyl Double-Pane Glass Repair

Vinyl Windows

• Vinyl frames resist termites and rot, and are available in a range of colors, sizes and styles. Vinyl frames were developed in the 1980s and are used as replacement windows for older, wood-framed windows. The windows can feature single, double or triple panes. A spacer bar is placed between frames. The panes are set against the spacer bar with silicone gel. This gel acts as a seal. A thin layer of desiccant is applied between panes. The desiccant layer prevents moisture from building between the pane layers. Energy-efficient double-paned windows feature argon gas between panes. This gas helps retain heat. Dual-pane windows are purchased intact. The panes are sealed into the vinyl frame. Damage to the window glass results in the need for an entire replacement window.

Fire Damage

• Damage to window glass occurs through objects and weather, such as hail. Fire also damages window glass and causes damage to frames. When heat pushes against a window's exterior, the temperature of the glass begins to rise at a faster rate than the rest of the frame. Glass that is sealed within the frame is cooler. This temperature difference causes window glass to crack. The frame itself is usually stronger than the glass and will withstand fire. One means of protecting and strengthening glass inside vinyl frames is the placement of a reinforcement bar. These bars can be decorative. They essentially square off portions of the window and give the appearance of small frames within a larger frame. These reinforcement bars help absorb impact and redistribute high temperatures evenly throughout the glass. The weakest kind of vinyl windows are large, bay windows.

Temperature Shifts

• Unlike wood frames, that expand and contract with glass during temperature shifts, vinyl frames stay rigid. Cool temperatures cause glass panes to retract, while warm temperatures cause glass to expand. These small shifts, over time, can eventually cause damage to the window's seal. Vinyl window frames can be problematic when seals begin to degrade. Moisture enters the area between the panes and causes aesthetic, as well as structural problems. As water heats and freezes, damage can occur to the window.

Wood Frame Repair

• Traditional wood double-paned windows can be repaired. Unlike vinyl windows, the glass pane is not sealed within the frame's matrix. Instead, the glass is glued into place within the frame. In this configuration, it is possible for the damaged pane to be removed and replaced with a new pane of glass. This technique is not practical for a vinyl frame because the glass pane cannot be removed from the vinyl casing without irreparably damaging the vinyl frame and seal.