Did you know that a broken window is not just an eyesore, but it can actually be costing you money as it’s letting valuable energy leak out of your home? That’s why it is important to address the issue at hand before it becomes any worse. The first step is to identify what kind of crack you are dealing with. Knowing what kind of window crack you are dealing with can help you determine if you simply repair the glass or if an entirely new replacement window is required.
Impact Cracks
An impact crack is probably what first comes to mind when you think of broken windows. As you might have guessed from its name, an impact break is caused by the force of an object hitting your home’s window. Think the kids next door playing baseball or a golf swing that’s gone wrong. You can usually tell when this kind of crack has occurred because of the identifiable starburst pattern that spreads outwards from the point of collision.
For your own safety, if you experience an impact break in one of your home’s windows, take caution when cleaning up. While you should remove any shards of glass that are inside your home, it is highly recommended that you do not attempt to remove the broken window yourself. Due to the nature of the crack, you may end up severely hurting yourself. That is why it is best to leave it to a professional to install a replacement window.
Stress Cracks
In most cases, a stress crack will start small, typically near the edge of the window. Over time, it will continue to expand and spread across the glass, resulting in a bigger issue than you may have anticipated. Stress cracks are most often caused by intense fluctuations in temperature, specifically major variances between the two. For example, this means when it is extremely cold outside so you drastically increase the heat inside your home in order to stay warm.
It is also possible for stress cracks to appear due to more physical distresses, such as slamming a window shut. Always treat your home’s windows with care in order to avoid a self-induced stress crack which will likely require costly repairs.
Pressure Cracks
A pressure crack is probably the least common kind of break in a window. It most commonly occurs in double-paned windows, or insulated glass. They may seem to happen out of nowhere but in reality, they are caused by dramatic shifts in pressure due to extreme weather. It can also happen if windows are installed at a too low or too high level of elevation. The windows cannot withstand the pressure of these scenarios and will crack as a result.
You can tell that a pressure crack has occurred due to the shape of the break in the glass. In most cases, the crack will follow a curve in the shape of an hourglass. If you experience a pressure crack, you will most likely have to do a complete window replacement.