How To Replace Window Glass And Where To Position The Packers

How To Replace Window Glass And Where To Position The Packers

Glazing packers are required to position the Double Glazed unit properly into the window frame – when we lift the new Double Glazed unit into position, there will be a small gap all around the unit and to enable it to sit properly within the window frame, you need to pack in between the new Double Glazed unit and the window frame when replacing the window glass. Importantly, the packers raise the unit up so that it will never be sitting in water.

The frame is designed such that the water can ingress into the window frame and there are seep holes in the frame where this water is allowed to escape.

For security reasons – plastic is flexible and if someone tries to break into a property via the window, there are certain precautionary measures that can be taken to ensure the windows are as secure as possible.

The secret also lies in the way the hidden packers are positioned within the window frame. To make the window more secure, you can pack certain areas at the sides or top and bottom of the window glass unit.

On a top hung window the window glass would be sat on a couple of glazing packs to lift the glass unit up and this prevents the window being sat in any water. There would also be packers over the top too to prevent the plastic flexing if anyone was to try to break in by prizing open the window with a crow bar.

On a side hung window, the packers would be positioned on the bottom hinge side corner and the top opposing corner. This process is known as ‘toe and heeling’ and creates a situation like you get on a ledged and braced garden gate. In this situation, the window glass unit is braced by creating a triangular effect thus helping to prevent the side opener from sagging over time.

On completion of the ‘toe and healing’ process on a side hung window, you then need to pack both sides of the window glass unit again to prevent any flex in the frame in case anyone tried to break in by prizing the frame with a crow bar.

It is also good practice on a side hung opener to finally place packs in the remaining corners of the opener to completely secure the frame and make it rigid.

Please Note – as a door hangs in a similar way to a side opening window, you must install the glazing packs in the same way as described above for a side hung opening window.

It is however, always recommended that you use a qualified Window fitter to replace your Double Glazed (DG) panes. Even though a straightforward task, if you do it on your own, you undertake the task at your own risk.