Broken glass can shatter your hopes of having a beautiful window. But it doesn't have to do this — or cost a fortune to fix. With some basic supplies, you can fix cracked glass.
Read on to learn how to repair glass in your home!
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Fix Broken Glass with Nail Polish
Are you on a budget? You can do a simple and cheap fix using nail polish! If you don't have nail polish handy, you can use glue, too.
You'll want to carefully apply the nail polish to the crack. Be careful not to overfill the crack since you don't want to create a sense of dimension on the surface. Then simply let the polish dry and you'll have a discrete, transparent solution that also helps bond the glass pieces.
And if you're really strapped for cash, you can use tape as a fix. While this won't look as discrete, it will keep the glass from shattering. And it will help keep out the draft!
Repair Glass with Epoxy
When you've already invested time and effort into redoing a kitchen, it may be worth investing in a better repair.
Epoxy, which consists of a hardening solution and resin, offers a more durable fix.
Before you start applying anything, be sure to clean your glass thoroughly. This will help ensure that the epoxy stays put.
You don't want to invest in all the hard repair work only to have your bonding material come loose and not do its job.
Then move outdoors, if possible, to mix the epoxy components together.
I've learned the hard way that using such strong bonding agents indoors is best done outside the house, and not indoors where spills and other accidents can occur.
Reach for a putty knife to apply the epoxy to the cracked area.
Here's a big tip:
Because of the viscous nature of the epoxy, you won't want to use this to fix shattered glass.
Stick to more defined cracks and chips.
Once the epoxy is in the crack, let it dry. You can remove any excess that rises above the glass's surface with a razor blade. Then you should have a sturdy and attractive piece of glass!
Go for Glass Replacement
If the severity of the crack detracts from the beauty of your home, you may be better off replacing the glass.
Sometimes, the expense of getting new glass makes sense compared to the difficulty, time and money spent trying to make unsightly cracks look better. The fact is, larger or multi-faceted cracks will still stick out.
You can do this yourself if you take the time to set up a workstation. You'll also need to determine how your glass is secured in the frame.
For instance, you may need to use a putty knife to pull a piece of glass from its molding.
You'll then need to reglaze the frame area once the new glass is installed. And, of course, you'll want to wear gloves and safety glasses any time you're working with this breakable material!
Search for Glass Companies near me me if you have any concerns about doing the repair work yourself. Especially for larger or custom window shapes, you may be better off asking the pros for help!
Determine the Best Solution for Cracked Glass
If the damage isn't too severe, you should be able to repair glass in your home. For chips and cracks, you can use nail polish for a quick repair. But for a longer-lasting fix, go with epoxy — or look into replacing the glass altogether.
For more helpful home maintenance tips, check back for new articles on home repair and DIY fixes!