Vinyl Window & Patio Door Glass Replacement

SGC002 (12/03)
Diagram: Glazing Types
G lazing is the method by which glass is set and sealed into a sash*
or window opening (refer to Diagram: Glazing Types). Glass
At the factory, vinyl window and patio door glass is
either tape or wet-glazed.
replacement should be performed with the assistance of a professional Tape-Glazing: The glass is
glass installer. Correct glass handling and installation is critical. Poor Tape
held into the sash or frame
handling or installation can lead to water leakage and potentially result with double-stick glazing
tape. In a tape-glazed win-
Snapbead
in serious damage to the structure. dow, the edge of the tape is
visible in the joint between
* Words in italics and followed by an asterisk (*) are defined in the Insulating
the glass and sash or frame.
glossary on page 3. Glass Unit

For removable sashes, it is

easier to remove the sash Wet-Glazing: The glass is
for glass replacement. held into the sash or frame
® Precautions & Safety TIP Sealant
with sealant. A wet-glazed
Snapbead
window usually has sealant
• Use extreme caution when handling glass; “squeeze-out” that looks like
insulating glass edges are sharp; if glass is dried glue along the edge of
Materials/Tools the glass.
cracked, tape over cracks with duct tape to
Squeeze-out
prevent further breakage and serious injury flexible metal or
• Use caution when handling large glass units; knife
plastic putty
utility knife When replacing glass, use the following method:
we recommend the assistance of a second paint thinner (for
cleaning
person putty knife)
Tape/Wet-Glazing: The
• Wear appropriate safety gear high quality 100%
silic
sealant (for window one Sealant glass is held into the sash or
glazing
(e.g. gloves, safety glasses, long and specified as
safe to use frame with double-stick
on vinyl)
sleeves) glazing tape (sho
Snapbead glazing tape and sealant.
• Do not use solvents (paint
uld be
shipped with the
glass; If
not, call your dea
thinner) on or near vinyl or glass scissors
ler)

duct tape Tape

B efore replacing a glass unit, inspect the new glass for damage and correct grille* pattern (if present). The drawings
in this document illustrate a sashed window unit. Use the same procedure for a sashed or direct-set* window.
Note: A utility knife may be substituted for a flexible putty knife, but use with extreme care.

Glass Removal
From exterior of house or sash,
1 Gently remove the snap bead* from all four sides with a putty knife beginning at the top (fig. 1)
2 Set aside and clearly mark each snap bead to replace back into their exact positions after glass
replacement
Fig. 1. Remove snap
At this point, make sure the replacement glass is the correct size. If not, replace the snap bead and bead
contact the supplier.
Periodically wipe
From interior, putty knife edge with
3 Insert flexible putty knife with a clean sharp edge between the glass and TIP
paint thinner to keep
clean. Do not allow
vinyl frame* or sash (fig. 2) paint thinner to
touch vinyl or glass.
4 Cut tape and/or sealant by carefully and firmly working putty knife
almost all the way around the glass (continue until seal is almost broken)
Before completely breaking seal, place second person on other side to help secure glass.
Fig. 2. Cut existing seal

Degree of Task Complexity

Do-It-Yourself Technician

The advice offered herein should be reviewed and performed by a trained service provider. It is recommended that you consult with a competent and
licensed construction contractor or building professional prior to taking any action. JELD-WEN disclaims any and all liability associated with the use
and/or provision of these instructions. Any reliance upon the information or advice is at the risk of the party so relying. The information contained herein
may be changed from time to time without notification.

© 2003 JELD-WEN, inc. JELD-WEN and Summit are registered trademarks of JELD-WEN, inc., Oregon USA.
5 Gently press glass from interior toward second person on exterior; remove glass
6 Safely and properly dispose of old glass according to local ordinances
Note: If setting blocks* move, fall out or stick to bottom of the glass during this process, restore them to their original
positions.
7 Remove old tape and/or sealant from sash or frame with putty knife
Important Note: New tape and sealant will need a clean surface for proper sealing.

Glass Installation
Sealant
From exterior,
1 Place new two-sided glazing tape on glazing bed
around entire frame where new glass will be installed
(fig. 3) as follows: Glazing tape
• Carefully place tape firm and even along front Butt joint Glazing bed

edge of glazing bed Fig. 3. Place new glazing tape Fig. 4. Apply sealant
• Cut tape at each corner with scissors to form butt
joints*; completely connect (do not
CAUTION
overlap) and leave no gaps Sealant
2 Apply 1/4" bead silicone sealant behind Do not cover weep holes
with setting blocks. This will
glazing tape (fig. 4) hinder water drainage and Glazing tape

3 Replace setting blocks to their exact cause leakage to the

interior of the structure.
previous positions (see caution) Butt joint
4 Remove tape protector film from glazing tape
Note: The tape protector is usually colored (e.g. red). See fig. 5 for
an illustration of a complete tape/wet-glaze installation.
5 Install glass as follows:
Very Important Note: For Low-E* glass, follow indication on the
glass for installing in the right direction. If installed incorrectly, the
Low-E coating will not perform as designed. If unsure, call us or Fig. 5. Complete tape installation
the glass supplier where the unit was purchased.
• Make sure insulating glass unit is upright by holding glass
Screw or rivet
with corner key* at top (fig. 6) “Rough” appearance

Note: The seal around the glass will have a “rough”

appearance at the corner as shown in fig. 7.
• If necessary, clean debris or smudges (fingerprints, etc.) off
edge of glass unit
• Set glass on setting blocks without letting it touch glazing
tape or sealant
Note: For large windows, the help of a second person Fig. 6. Corner key Fig. 7. “Rough” appearance
during this procedure is critical. at corner key
• Center glass side-to-side within framing
Note: For glass units with grilles, make sure grille pattern and breaks in the horizontal and vertical bars are lined
up appropriately.
• Double-check glass unit to make sure it is upright and centered
• Press entire piece of glass against glazing tape and sealant
• Replace snap beads into their exact places as previously marked in the following order:
• Bottom
• Sides
• Top
6 Clean glass with mild soap and water
To remove label,
• Slowly peel from one corner If necessary, soak
If label tears or sticks, label with soapy
water and cover
• Moisten with soapy water and gently scrape with plastic putty knife TIP
overnight with
plastic wrap.

SGC002 Vinyl Window & Patio Door Glass Replacement Page 2

Glossary

Butt joint / but joynt / n

The joint of two square edges united without overlapping
Corner key / káwrnәr kē / n
A mechanical fastener that aligns two pieces at a corner
Direct-set / dirékt-set / n
The window’s glass is secured directly into the window frame without the stiles and rails of a sash
Frame / fraym / n
The assembly of structural members (head, sill, and jambs) used to fasten the window/patio door to the structure
Grille / gril / n
A decorative grid on the interior or exterior of the glass that divides a window opening into smaller openings to create
true divided lite
Low-E / lō ē / low emissivity / n
A coating on glass that reduces radiant heat-loss and the passage of Ultraviolet (UV) rays
Sash / sash / n
An assembly comprised of stiles (vertical pieces), rails (horizontal pieces) and the window’s glass
Setting block / set-ting blok / n
Small piece of vinyl or rubber in the bottom rail to protect and support the insulating glass unit
Snap bead / snap beed / n
The trim that covers the edge of the glass

SGC002 Vinyl Window & Patio Door Glass Replacement Page 3