Chicago’s climate is usually continental with cold winters, warm summers, and constant short fluctuations in temperature, humidity, cloudiness. Such climate and frequent short fluctuations in temperature may even result in the need for window replacement in Chicago houses if cracks occur. Even the best window brands can’t guarantee that the glass never gets cracked. Let’s say you have Anderson windows. So, what can you do if your brand-new windows get cracked? How to replace Anderson windows glass without paying for a completely new window? These questions concern many customers, but in this article, we will give an answer to the most important question “how to prevent the crack on the window glass?” and thereby save money in the long run.
There are three types of glass cracks:
1. Impact cracks
This type of crack is caused by something hitting the window and making immediate contact. This could be a stone or a ball thrown at the window, a bird hitting the window, and so on.
2. Stress cracks
In most cases, a stress crack will start small and near the border of the window. Further, it will slowly spread over the entire pane of glass. This type of glass crack is generally caused by quick changes in temperature.
3. Pressure cracks
They’re mostly found in double-paned windows or insulated glass. They’re usually caused by incorrect installation of the windows.
In this article, we are interested in thermal stress crack caused by temperature changes and how to prevent them
Thermal stress cracks are long, thin cracks that mostly appear on large windows. These cracks can become visible suddenly and often confuse people because there’s no clear cause.
A window’s thermal stress crack occurs when changing temperatures cause the glass in the window to expand at different rates. If the difference in the rate of expansion of two parts of the glass is too great, then the stress of that expansion could lead to a crack. Environmental factors are the main cause of it. Your windows are exposed to harsh conditions, which means they go through heating and cooling cycles throughout the day. If the way that heating and cooling happens is drastic, cracks will form.
How to prevent window cracks:
1.Inspect your windows
If you are not quite sure about the correct state of your windows, it is a good idea to have them inspected by a professional company. As earlier mentioned, this kind of cracks start near the edge of windows so if their frames are wrecked or poorly made, this can result in damages to the glass of the residential windows.
A professional can also inspect the sealing of your home’s windows. Compromised seals may result in wasted energy and higher utility bills for you.
If you have damaged or even low-quality windows, the existing integrity of your windows can be compromised. This means that you might be more likely to get a thermal stress crack due to freezing temperatures.
2.Choose high-quality windows.
One of the best things you can do to prevent residential windows and doors from suffering from the winter cold is to ensure that you are buying the best quality windows available. In most cases, we recommend nothing less than double-paned windows, which can not only help to prevent your windows from cracking in the cold winter, but they are also more energy-efficient.
How to replace window glass or install new windows? We recommend hiring a professional window installation company for this task. Even if you choose the highest quality windows, they can still crack if they are installed in the wrong way not accordingly to accepted standards.
3.Weatherize your windows
The two most important steps you can take to winterize windows – caulking and weather stripping.
For caulking, remove any old caulk before you apply a new layer. Thoroughly clean and dry the areas you will be applying the caulk so that it adheres better. Make sure that you are using an exterior grade caulk around the external perimeter of your home’s window as that will hold up against cold temperatures and various types of weather.
Weatherstripping, which is used on the inside of your home, will prevent drafts and cold air from finding their way into your home. You can simply pick up some weather stripping from your local hardware store and apply it around the part of your residential windows and doors.
Don’t wait until damage occurs. Use these handy tips to prepare your home’s windows for winter and protect against cold weather window cracks. If you are looking for some expert input or your windows need residential glass repair, our team is here to help. We’re excited to get work done for you!
