How to Repair Windows

What do you need to know to repair a broken window? If you are new to the world of DIY repairs, we have all the tips and guidance you are looking for. Check out our window repair discussion board, slideshows, best projects and DIY video tutorials. We'll frame the whole project for you so that you know exactly what to do.

DIY Window Grids (Mullions)

How to Tackle Window Problems

Use polythene for short term repair: Use polythene as a temporary measure when the window has shattered. Clean up broken glass and secure a sheet of polythene to the window frame.
Install a new pane: Use specialist glazers if unsure about this tricky process. If you do proceed, ensure you can prime and apply linseed oil putty.
Repair rotten wooden sills: Scrape off any rotten wood before starting work. Use a wood repair compound to fill in the gaps, being careful to achieve a smooth finish.
Unstick sash windows: Sash windows can get stuck in their tracks. Clean the tracks, chisel out any excess dried paint, and smooth the tracks with sandpaper.
Make rusted frames look new: Use a high-quality primer when repainting the frames, ensuring even coverage to achieve a smooth finish. Add more coats if needed.

More repairing categories

Top Projects for Repairing Windows

Visit our top DIY window repair projects and learn how to fix it yourself.

DIY Window Grids (Mullions)

UPDATED: I figured an easy way to make them removable. For more details, please visit http://www.therozyhome.com/blog/making-your-own-window-grids-grilles-mullions. This project is the result of a little OCD and a lot of "there still is something missing in the dining room." Luckily, the latter and the former came into perfect harmony yesterday when I had my ah ha moment. I realized that I wanted to do grids on the window. Every window on the front of the house (even the little windows) have grids. In contrast, every window on the back and side did not. At first I thought they went this route because they wanted to enjoy the view. I mean, the view is why we bought the house.

The Rozy Home

Fix a Sagging Door in 5 Minutes Flat

We had a sagging interior door that was driving us crazy. We had to lift the door knob to get it to latch. We were able to fix it in no time with some cardboard.

John

Repairing rotted door jambs.

My customer had 6 door jambs that had rot in about the same place and size. These were large double door units and I did not want to remove the unit and replace the complete jamb.

Jim P

Ingenious Window Insulation Tip!!!

We all need to lower our heating bills, right? This ingenious window insulating tip might just be your next weekend project. The total cost is less than $20 and takes about 20 minutes. Here's the tip: use bubble wrap. I know what your'e thinking, the window will look awful. The bubble wrap actually doesn't look all the bad. And it provides double the insulation when combined with plastic window film. If you only do this for your really bad windows or the ones in the basement I'm willing to bet you'll save a ton of money. Plus feel warmer, haha. For a complete tutorial and video check out my post :D Hope this helps. Cheers, Jeff

Home Repair Tutor

DIY Energy Efficient Window Screens

We've been wanting to do this for years, yes, I said years. We just never made time to do it. We finally did it! I love how it makes the house look so fancy with the dark screens!When we moved in, there was one screen left on the house, but it was trash. So, we had no screens or frames to try and even repair. The metal framing to create your own screens is extremely costly. This is our budget friendly way to have screens on our home.Not only does it look nice, but it helps keep the heat out better too! It's energy efficient yall!

DeeDee

Renew Your Scratched Wood in Minutes

Homes with dogs, kids, or even just aging cabinets and wood doors will strongly benefit from this EASY DIY tip!!!!

Taradaramadeit - DIYin to keep you stylin

How to Clean and Restore Aluminum Window Frames

I moved into an old mobile home with nasty aluminum window frames and I had no clue what to do about them. I was digging around in my laundry room when I ran across something that I thought might just work! I didn't even have to spray anything. I was actually shocked at how well this worked.

Amanda Eastman

How to Fix a Door That Sticks

Do you have a door that is constantly "sticking" in the jamb? If all the screws are tight in the hinge, try adjusting the hinge knuckle. It is much easier then redoing the jamb or sanding one side of the door.

HomeSpot HQ

How to Temporary Repair Your Vertical Blinds With a Flat Head Screwdri

My Vertical Blinds are always breaking. So one day I found a way to temporary fix them by using a flat head screwdriver. I take the screwdriver and heat it up on the stove allowing it to melt a hole through the blind for a quick fix.

Bibi Sweet67

How to Weatherproof Your Vinyl or Wood Screen Door

I've always loved the old fashioned screen doors. And the home improvement stores have a nice variety in a good price range. Something for everyone! The one problem with screen doors though is that they don't keep cold wind out in the fall and winter because they do not come with storm windows nor do they sell them. WE HAVE THE SOLUTION!

Kelly-n-Tony

DIY Window Grids (Mullions)

The Rozy Home

Fix a Sagging Door in 5 Minutes Flat

We had a sagging interior door that was driving us crazy. We had to lift the door knob to get it to latch. We were able to fix it in no time with some cardboard.

John

Repairing rotted door jambs.

My customer had 6 door jambs that had rot in about the same place and size. These were large double door units and I did not want to remove the unit and replace the complete jamb.

Jim P

Ingenious Window Insulation Tip!!!

Home Repair Tutor

DIY Energy Efficient Window Screens

DeeDee

Renew Your Scratched Wood in Minutes

Homes with dogs, kids, or even just aging cabinets and wood doors will strongly benefit from this EASY DIY tip!!!!

Taradaramadeit - DIYin to keep you stylin

How to Clean and Restore Aluminum Window Frames

Amanda Eastman

How to Fix a Door That Sticks

HomeSpot HQ

How to Temporary Repair Your Vertical Blinds With a Flat Head Screwdri

Bibi Sweet67

How to Weatherproof Your Vinyl or Wood Screen Door

Kelly-n-Tony

Window Repair Videos

DIY video tutorials on how to repair windows. Step by step instructions to guide you.

Re Grouting Glass Block Tiles. You Can Do It!

You can repair and replace the grout in your glass tile all by yourself! If you can ice a cake you can do it!

ThriftDee

Easy Barn Door Hardware

Barn doors are really on trend as you know but the hardware can be really expensive. Here is how you can make it for $30.

Alicia W

Repair Rotted Window Frame

Painting our house was going well until I came across this rotted out window frame. Follow my instructions for a perfect fix on something many would consider trashing and replacing.

GoJo Geoff

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Window Repair Projects

We've gathered the best DIY window repair projects to give you new ideas!

How to Build Custom Window Screens in Less Than 15 Minutes

I recently had to build a window screen for our bathroom window and wanted to share how easy this project is. Even if you don't need to build a frame chances are you have some screens that need to be replaced. The entire project should cost you less than $15 and all the supplies can be found at your local hardware store. For more pictures and two quick helpful videos you can visit http://www.homerepairtutor.com/custom-window-screens/

Home Repair Tutor

A Quick Way to Fix a Rip In a Curtain

A ripped curtain can be a drag. If you can't bring yourself to throw away your favorite curtain, give them a quick fix.

Jamie Ueda

How to Paint Window Sills and Trims

I'm in the middle of doing a room reset, changing up our formal lounge room. Our house is about 20+ years old and has wood trims throughout. Some of them looking a little weathered, especially on the window sills. So I decided to start with this room, painting the trimmings white.

I Restore Stuff

Which way do shutters go?

Which way should the louvers on fixed louvered shutters go? There is an age old question about which way the louvers on fixed louvered shutters should point. (This also applies to operable louvers, but of course those can be changed per individual preference). The short answer is they should be pointed down and to the back. Of course that works if we are all thinking about the shutters when they are open, and much like the back slash/forward slash confusion, that keeps us poised over the symbol on our keyboards for a fraction of a second, we process the information before hitting the key. One person's back slash could be another person's forward. It all depends on the perspective. When dealing with Open Shutters, the correct installation of a fixed louvered shutter should have the shutter louver facing down and towards the back when the shutter is open (when it is not covering the window). This allows any rain or other water to fall through the louvers and down behind the shutter, avoiding any pooling or building in the shutter itself or in front of the window area. The first image below shows the proper direction of fixed louvers when they are open on the house. If the shutters are closed over the windows, they would then be pointing down and out, away from the window, so that water hitting the shutters would drain towards the front, and away from the area between the shutter and the window. For more information about installing exterior shutters or hardware, go to www.Timberlane.com/installation

Timberlane Shutters

Arched Top Pocket Door

Most people do not know this is possible, but you can make a normal rectangular door slab with an arched panel look like an expensive arched-top door by customizing a pocket door opening with a little drywall work and some readily available arched trim:

Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry

Dented Refrigerator Fix!

After getting another dent I was ready to scream!

Debbie Westgate- Guyot-Sliwa

How to Build Custom Window Screens in Less Than 15 Minutes

Home Repair Tutor

A Quick Way to Fix a Rip In a Curtain

A ripped curtain can be a drag. If you can't bring yourself to throw away your favorite curtain, give them a quick fix.

Jamie Ueda

Dented Refrigerator Fix!

After getting another dent I was ready to scream!

Debbie Westgate- Guyot-Sliwa

Popular Repairing Windows Discussions

The window repair discussion board is open for business. Let us know what you think!

How to remove easily dried silicone sealant on glass windows

/> Johancu

I have been using a scraper but there is still residue on it.

View discussion

Tips for updating or repairing Pella between the glass blinds?

/> Evelyn

Our 14 year old cord controlled blinds are all giving us trouble with raising and lowering and tilting. Many of the top mechanisms are coming unglued from the top. I know this room needs to be updated, but you can see the issue in these. Note that privacy is not a big issue in the country in the rolling hills of beautiful Southern Illinois, but for us, sun control is. (I do love that they don't have to be dusted) Fix or replace blinds? I think only Pella can do that at considerable expense as they have to come from far away. Are there replacement shades that can be put in and if so would the expense be worth it to change the look? We love our local medium stained poplar woodwork, so do not want traditional drapes. Would love to hear your ideas for this newbie to your site!

Tips for updating or repairing Pella between the glass blinds?

View discussion

How do I stop my cats from scratching the door frames?

/> Billie Ann

My cats keep scratching the door frames in the house. I need a way to stop this.No declawing is not an option, I believe it is cruel. I want something that I canattach to the door frames so they could scratch that instead of the wood. We justhad the frames all replaced and now it doesn't look like it. We do have lots of kittyscratching posts around for them, which they use also. But they seem to like thedoor frames better. Please help. ThanksCat gone wild?!Help your cat stay calm and curb unwanted behavior with Feliway diffuser that Amazon reviewers swear by!

View discussion

How do I seal my basement windows from the inside?

/> Jeff C

I discovered that my basement windows are leaking a large amount of cold air. There is also a lot of condensation on the inside of the windows. These are terrible basement windows and I want to know whats the best way to seal them shut. The basement is not a liveable space so I'm not concerned about escaping a fire. The basement is referred to as the dungeon for obvious reasons.

How do I seal my basement windows from the inside?

View discussion

New Window Repair Projects

New DIY window repair projects from the world of Hometalk. Get fixing!

How to Fix a Cracked or Chipped Windshield

By Stacey KelleherWhile vehicle windshields are incredibly durable and designed to withstand significant wear and tear, they are not entirely impenetrable. Airborne objects, extreme temperatures, and even poor installation can cause windshields to crack and split.And the sooner you repair minor windshield damage, the better. Windshield damage is more than just a nuisance. Tiny cracks can quickly become big cracks, affecting your visibility while driving and compromising the windshield’s structural integrity—especially in an accident.In this guide, we’ll cover different types of windshield damage, how to repair cracks and chips, and the signs you may need to call a professional to replace your windshield entirely.

Stacey

How to Repair a Window Screen With Tears and Holes

By Brooke RessellWhile intact window screens may be the very last thing you notice about your home, a torn, shredded, or sagging screen will certainly start to draw your attention. As humans, we want everything we own to look nice and be functional, but a damaged window screen is no longer either of those two things.Because instead of filtering out leaves, dirt, and debris like they once did, or stopping pests from making their way inside, your damaged window screens are now failing to keep the elements outside where they belong. And they’ve become a huge eyesore over time, noticeably lowering your home’s curb appeal.Of course, up to this point, you had no idea how to repair a window screen, and you wondered how much this little problem was going to cost you.But fear not! Because no matter how it happened—from your cat climbing your window screens to a bird flying directly into them—we’ll walk you through all the steps you need to fix or replace a window screen on your own with less time commitment and fewer out-of-pocket expenses than you were expecting.

Brooke Ressell

Adding an Egress Window to Basement

While in the process of finishing our basement we decided to add an additional bedroom to the space. In order to consider this a bedroom we must first provide a secondary exit point for safety. By eliminating the sealed glass block we can do just that.