If you are asking, ” Can I replace the glass in my windows?”, the answer in many cases is yes. The frame stays. Only the insulated glass unit is replaced. If the frame is in good shape and only the glass has failed, a new insulated glass unit (IG unit) can be built and swapped in. Windowcrafters builds these glass units in-house in Tucker, Georgia, which keeps the process simple for homeowners with a trusted installer and for property managers who need glass replaced fast across multiple units.
Why This Question Comes Up So Often
A foggy window does not mean the whole window is bad. A lot of the time, the frame is fine, especially if the windows are not wood. The problem is that the insulated glass seal has failed, and this is a very common window problem we see across Atlanta and the metro area. Frames can last for 15 or 20 years if taken care of, but the glass seal can still fail.
That is why so many homeowners and property managers ask the same question: Can I replace the glass in my windows instead of buying brand-new windows? The short answer is yes, often you can. The longer answer depends on a few details we will walk through below, and we’ll even share a trick on how to measure for the glass!
How Glass-Only Replacement Actually Works
Most newer windows are made with a double-pane glass unit that is called an insulated glass unit, or IG unit. It is two panes of glass with a sealed spacer in the middle. Argon gas is often added between the 2 pieces of glass to better insulate and slow heat transfer. When the spacer fails, the seal is compromised, and either moisture gets in, looking like fog, or the LoE glass can get spotty, show streaks, or even have a haze all between the panes. The frame is still doing its job. The glass is the part that needs to come out.
A new IG unit needs to be made to the exact size that was originally installed in the window, and the existing window must have a glazing bead that can be taken off and then put back in place. This is not an easy thing to do, and a skilled installer must size the glass correctly, take the old glass out, remove all the old silicone and glue, set the new glass, and re-glaze the sash. Once this has been your window will go back to working the way it was meant to.
When Glass Replacement Makes Sense
Not every cloudy window calls for the same fix. A few common situations make glass-only replacement the right call.
- The frame is solid, and the sash still operates. If the window opens, locks, and closes the way it should, you may be able to replace just the glass.
- You are dealing with a few windows, not the whole house. Glass replacement is often the most practical answer when one or two windows have a foggy seal, and the rest are fine.
- You are getting ready to sell your home and want to keep costs as low as possible, but don’t want to call attention to the foggy windows. If you have windows with a removable glazing bead, glass replacement may be the perfect choice.
- You know someone who can do the IG replacement, as oftentimes the labor is significantly more than the actual glass, and this is the part that matters most. A homeowner with a longtime contractor friend or a property manager with an in-house maintenance crew can usually get glass swapped quickly and affordably.
- The windows are under warranty. You should definitely pursue the manufacturing company. This is a key benefit of working with Windowcrafters. We manufacture all our glass in-house in Tucker, and warranty fulfillment is quick and easy!
Why Property Managers Lean on Glass-Only Service
Apartment companies, rental owners, and service firms often need glass replaced fast to keep units rentable. A broken pane in a tenant unit is a clock starting. The faster the glass is back in, the faster the unit is back in service.
Because we fabricate IG units in-house at our factory in Tucker, Georgia, property managers can order glass-only units without long lead times. We will manufacture the glass to your specifications so it matches the existing windows in just a few days. This saves time and money as the frame stays, and just the glass is replaced. And with the right measurement trick that we’ll share below, the sash can even stay in place while we make the glass. The cost is significantly less than replacing the whole window, and the turnaround is often faster than full window orders.
But if you do need new windows, the 900 Series single-hung is the perfect fit for apartments, rentals, or flips.
How does a homeowner replace the glass in their windows?
The first thing is to determine if the glass can be replaced, and as discussed above, this is not always the case in older wooden windows, which are very common in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. If the wood sash can be taken apart and put back together, or the windows are old metal or vinyl with a glazing bead, the next step is to determine who can do the work.
For homeowners, glass-only replacement works best when you have a relationship with someone who knows how to re-glaze. That is the honest truth. If you are starting from scratch and looking for an installer just to swap one IG unit, it can be difficult to find a skilled craftsman, and the cost can be as much as a new window from Windowcrafters.
If glass replacement is out or the cost is just too high, homes with old windows pair best with our 700 Series double-hung windows. This Windowcrafters window is a direct fit, and oftentimes, you can purchase an entire new window for the same cost as replacing the glass. But if your windows are in fine shape other than the glass, a new IG unit may be smarter and keep all your windows looking the same.
What Can Affect the Glass Unit Specification
This is where things get tricky, and every IG unit has a few choices to make. These choices affect if the glass unit will work.
- How thick is the existing IG unit? Insulated glass units can range in thickness from ⅛” up to over 1”. It is very important to determine the thickness so the glass will fit back into the frame. Windowcrafters manufactures IG units ¼” – ⅞” at our factory in Tucker.
- What type of glass does the existing window have? Many older windows have clear glass or hard-coat LoE, and new technology LoE glass will not match. Windowcrafters manufactures all windows for our standard price with Cardinal 270 LoE. This has great radiant heat reduction characteristics and a high visible light transmission, so it blends nicely with older hard coat LoE products. We also have Cardinal 366LoE if the window is on a side by itself and it gets direct sun. Cardinal 366 LoE has 3 layers of silver and significantly reduces radiant heat.
- If you are going to get a new IG unit, you should add Argon gas. It can’t be seen, and Argon between the panes slows heat transfer. It is a small upgrade, and it will really improve your indoor comfort.
- Does the window need safety glass? If so, we have tempered and laminated.
- Do you want to add an obscure glass if the window happens to be in a bathroom? Obscure offers nice privacy, and Windowcrafters has many patterns to choose from.
- Does the existing window have grids? If so, are they ⅝” or ¾” flat, or are they contour, and then what is the pattern?
How do I measure to replace the glass in my windows?
Tip – It is best to take the glazing bead off if possible. Then slide a business card between the frame and the glass, pushing the card down till it hits the other side of the frame. Then mark the spot where you see the card just as it comes out of the glass. This should provide the thickness of the IG unit, as long as the card can go to the other side of the frame. This isn’t a sure thing, but it works a lot of the time.
Then measure the width and height of the IG unit edge-to-edge. You want to get a tight measurement so the glass can be sealed back in place, but you don’t want it so tight that the frame puts pressure on the glass. Take note of how much space is between the edge of the glass and the start of the frame if there is ¼”+ it may be a good idea to take a small deduction when the glass is manufactured. Nothing more than ⅛”, and sometimes this won’t work.
What This Looks Like Working with Us
The process is simple. You provide the size and thickness of the glass, a few photos, and the specifications. We confirm the spec, provide a price, and then, if approved, we will make the IG unit in just a few days. You or your installer picks it up at our factory or arranges delivery in the metro area.
Because we build the IG units at our factory in Tucker, Georgia, we control the glass spec from order to pickup. There is no national supplier in the middle. If something needs to be adjusted, we can fix it locally.
We serve homeowners, contractors, builders, and property managers across Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Marietta, Tucker, and the rest of the metro area. We do not require an account to order.
What to Do Next
If you have a window with a foggy seal or a cracked pane, contact our team with the brand and a few photos. We will tell you whether glass-only is the right call or whether a full window makes more sense for your situation.
You do not need to decide right away. A quick conversation usually clears up which path fits the home. If glass-only is the answer, we can build the unit and have it ready for your installer.
Learn More
- How Do I Prevent Fog Between My Window Panes?
- When is it time to Replace Your Windows?
- What is Insulated Glass?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace the glass in my windows without buying new windows?
Yes, in many cases, you can replace the glass in my windows by swapping out the insulated glass unit, also called the IG unit. The frame and sash stay in place, and only the sealed glass package is replaced. This works best when the frame is in good shape, and the seal has failed, or the pane is cracked.
How do I know if my window glass needs to be replaced?
The most common signs are fog or moisture between the panes, a visible crack, or a noticeable cold or hot spot near the window. These usually point to a failed glass seal, not a frame problem. A local window team can confirm with a quick look at the unit.
Can Windowcrafters make a glass-only IG unit for my window?
Yes. We fabricate insulated glass units in-house at our Tucker, Georgia, factory, and we sell glass-only when the frame is sound. You provide the brand, the size, and a few photos, and we build the unit to fit. A skilled installer or a glazier handles the swap.
