Sun, heat and age can all take its toll on vinyl parts of your window. When the time comes to replace your vinyl glazing beads, our experts can walk you through choosing the correct replacement and completing the repair.
Any window has its pros and cons but one of the great things about having vinyl windows is that brittle vinyl glazing beads and most other repairs are relatively easy to fix.
Necessary Tools:
WARNING: be sure to wear safety glasses and use caution while working with glass
STEP 1
Whether you’re working on a tilt or non-tilt window sash, you’ll need to remove it to safely and
efficiently replace the glazing bead.
STEP 2
Lay the sash on a table against a wall or other stationary surface so that the sash will not move as
you work on it. Coming in from the side, wedge the chisel in between the window frame and vinyl
glazing bead to create leverage for removal.
STEP 3
Use a hammer to push the chisel just deep enough to pry the glazing bead out of place. Remove the
entire strip by tapping the side of the chisel and repeat the process down the length of the glazing
bead on all sides of the sash.
STEP 4
Once removed, measure the length of your existing glazing bead and mark the desired length on your
new replacement.
STEP 5
Using a clamp to hold the replacement vinyl glazing bead steady, use a hacksaw or shears to make a
clean cut.
STEP 6
Now it’s time to reinstall your newly sized glazing by using the hammer with a block of wood to line
up the glazing bead and pressure fit it into place.
If the existing leg of your glazing is on the longer side, you may have trouble removing it as shown in our tutorial.
If that is the case, using a slotted screwdriver to pry the glazing straight up and out of the sash is the best way to prevent further damage.
Example: 55-080 vs. 55-015 from our demonstration.
To see our experts complete this repair, watch our video below. For the parts featured in this tutorial, or additional guidance, visit us at SWISCO.com.