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.

Don't Replace Your Windows Until You Try This!

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.

Don't Replace Your Windows Until You Try This!

Our 25-year old home is feeling twice it's age, I imagine, living in the mountains with harsh weather that can vary 3 seasons in a day. When we compare our home to too many home improvement "afters" we can feel our place is outdated and yucky. Usually we don't need a complete overhaul! A good cleaning and some detailing can save us a lot of worrying and expense.This example is a worthwhile reminder.If you've seen my posts on how we replaced our dining area windows, you know I spent more money than I should have with a National Window Company -- although I am very pleased with the improved views and overall appearance. Once I started, however, the other windows in the room/house seemed dingy and old. Since I am saving my money to add a balcony upstairs, in my bedroom, I do not want to spend much, if anything, making the windows in the rest of the area match. So here's what some elbow grease and a blend of old and new tricks and techniques can do for you! And please follow me and check out my other posts for more details!

Adele Kurtz

Bubble Wrap Window Insulation Hack

If you're like me and come from a small town with old houses, you can remember insulating your windows for the winter. My dad would take plastic sheeting and double sided tape and seal up all the windows we didn't absolutely need to open. Well, now we live in a house with much better windows, but that doesn't mean there isn't an advantage to adding insulation. We’re still losing heat through our windows, just a smaller amount. Extra insulation not only helps you save the environment (by using less electricity) but can save you anywhere from $100 to $500 dollars over the course of the winter (depending on how large your house is and how many money saving tips you implement). Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Shawna Bailey

Kitchen Window Replacement

I hated our old kitchen window and it was far from energy efficient as well...we nearly doubled the window size with the new energy efficient window...

Susan Davia

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

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

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

Installing Faux Wood Window Blinds

We needed something to block the windows beside our front door, and for many years, we used some pretty hideous curtains. If I had known how easy these blinds would be to install, I would have done it a long time ago! Be sure to watch the video for more detailed instructions, as well as a time-lapse before-and-after segment.

ChickFix

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 Make a Window Screens

When I moved into my house 2 years ago most of the windows were missing screens or they had holes in them. I had ordered three on line and with shipping they cost me over 100 dollars, so I decided to make my own and it really simple.

Yolanda cates

Don't Replace Your Windows Until You Try This!

Adele Kurtz

Bubble Wrap Window Insulation Hack

Shawna Bailey

Kitchen Window Replacement

I hated our old kitchen window and it was far from energy efficient as well...we nearly doubled the window size with the new energy efficient window...

Susan Davia

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

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

DIY Energy Efficient Window Screens

DeeDee

Installing Faux Wood Window Blinds

ChickFix

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 Make a Window Screens

Yolanda cates

Window Repair Videos

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

Bubble Wrap Window Insulation Hack

Shawna Bailey

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

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

Repairing Wood Damage With Bondo

Sometimes wood repairs call for something faster and harder than wood filler. Like, when my shutters ended up getting Dry Rot Damage. The damaged area was so large and thick, that Bondo made the most sense for this repair.Bondo makes an All Purpose Putty, that works on wood and a wood filler. I went with the putty this time because it dries super fast and a little harder than wood filler. And, because I am painting these shutters. If I needed to stain a large wood patch job. I would have used all wood filler or at least a good 1/4" surface of wood filler with Bondo underneath.I have read online some people saying that Bondo cracks and shrinks. Maybe that's true of a different Bondo product or in areas with extreme cold. Our house painter used Bondo to patch a porch column of ours a few years ago and it has held up perfectly. But, I'm in Houston. So, we generally only have a handful of days around the freezing mark a year. So, with that said. Let me tell you what I did and recommend. More details about this tutorial can be found on my site.

Stephanie Abbott

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Window Repair Projects

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

Restoring Antique Windows: A Labor of Love

Reclaimed (aka salvage) antique windows from an old train station + DIY prowess = PERFECT for my new-to-look-old farmhouse.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours

How to Fix Your Mini Blinds!

I don't know what it is about my kids, but they love to break the mini blinds in our apartment. These horizontal blinds are cheap to replace... unless your apartment complex does it for you at $50 each. Ouch! As a frugal mom with four kids, I didn't want to pay to replace three different blinds in our home. So, I figured out how to fix broken mini blinds and saved myself some major money and it was surprisingly VERY easy!

Katelyn Fagan

How to Trim a Window

If you're looking to add a little bit of architectural interest to a plain window, it's really easy to add some window trim! It just takes a few hours and will totally transform the entire look of your room. If you love this project you can find more easy and affordable DIY ideas on my blog, Love & Renovations.

Love & Renovations

Fitting a New Window

At the back of our house, there was one window, that someone in the past had just lodged into the wall, rendered the inside, but outside there were rotten wooden wedges, and paper stuffed in the holes to keep it in. When I left the UK, I lived in Spain for 6 years, and thought their workmanship left something to be desired, but on moving to Colombia, I realised that I had been spoiled. This was a job I had been putting off since we moved in nearly two years ago, but it had to be done. Not only was it an eyesore, but damp was getting in. I had two fears, one trying to get the window out would cause the house to collapse from above, or the walls would pull out with it, especially as here many houses like ours are left unrendered (or parged).

PhilCo

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

Restoring Antique Windows: A Labor of Love

Reclaimed (aka salvage) antique windows from an old train station + DIY prowess = PERFECT for my new-to-look-old farmhouse.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours

How to Fix Your Mini Blinds!

Katelyn Fagan

How to Trim a Window

Love & Renovations

Fitting a New Window

PhilCo

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

Bibi Sweet67

Popular Repairing Windows Discussions

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

How do I change the weather stripping on the bottom of a screen door?

/> Lynda LeBlanc

How do I change the weather stripping on the bottom of a screen door.

View discussion

How do I attach single sided insulation to an uninsulated garage door?

/> Mike Ramsey

Trying to attach fiberglass insulation to the interior side of my non-insulated garage doors. The pins that came with the kit hold the panels in place from the middle, but the sides and corners just hang. The insulation has one side with a vinyl covering, so I thought duct tape (or similar) would hold it in place - WRONG. I have so much invested, I probably should have just put in new doors, but that was not an option (Disabled Vet/Fixed Income....). Suggestions please.Mike

View discussion

How can I fix cracked paint on window molding?

/> Matt

Had most of apt painted over a year ago. The paint on window molding was cracked. Painters painted over, but now the paint is cracking again. I’m assuming I need to sand down and do some patch work with calk or another kind of product and then paint?

How can I fix cracked paint on window molding?

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

New Window Repair Projects

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

Installing Window Trim (Jambs) & Casings

Window trim/molding is an easy project to tackle and it really dresses up the window. Either replacing old, damaged molding or putting up new, this project can make a big impact for very little money.

Sherry

Vinyl "Storm Windows"

I have this wonderful screened in porch which I use a lot and, want to continue using as long as I can. It is not air tight by any means but made and put up "vinyl storm windows" which does help keep the warmth from the sun in. It also helps keep my plants on the porch longer. And, they do like that.

Barb

Putting Your Home Back Together After an Accident

Three weeks after we moved into our new "forever" home, downsizing by half to 1700 square feet, we got a frantic phone call from our oldest daughter that there had been an accident at our new house. She was at work at the restaurant "The Slurp Shop" she and her husband own. One of the neighbors had tracked her down (our daughter lives across the street) by phone to try and reach us. We were attending a parade about 40 miles away, watching our granddaughter march with her soccer team. The only information we had, was that a car had hit our house, after losing control in the parking lot next door. Since the weather was mild, the parking lot is a church parking lot, and the police didn't think there wasn't any serious damage, we waited to see our granddaughter march past before hurrying home. It was dark when we pulled into our street, but, the street was full of emergency vehicles! Much to our relief, they were there because of a gas line leak at the house across the street, next to my daughter's house, and the area was being deemed safe and clear. We were allowed to walk to our house from where the street was blocked, while everyone finished their jobs. We walked along the side of the house that had been hit, and could see a large dent in one window frame, a couple of loose pieces of siding, and the demolished section of fence she had gone through. The driver was backing into the spot in an SUV, hit the gas instead of the brake, ran over the concrete parking curb, went through the chain link fence, over our sidewalk and hit the side of the house, according to the police report.

Cynthia H

How To Caulk the Interior of New Windows (like a Pro)

How and where to caulk the interior of newly installed windows. But not just that! You will also read about the different types of silicone caulk (pre-colored anyone?), which one to choose for your project and how to pick a good (and easy to use) caulking gun. Also, many tips & tricks from how to cut the tubes open, up to making super smooth caulking seams. Say it with me: "Perfect Seams, Every Time"!

TwoPlusCute

Replace Old Windows and Trim

During last summer's internal renovation of our lake cabin, we held off replacing the windows because of the expense. This summer we decided to tackle two large window replacements in the living room. Our original windows were aluminum framed single pane glass, super inefficient! In the Texas heat, it made it very hard to cool down during 100+ days.Note: this is a two person job because of the size and weight of the windows when you get both windows mulled together....