Thread: how to measure aluminium window for new glass?

If you're talking about an aluminium window with a fixed pane, I think you might need to disassemble the whole frame to put in new glass as the glass fits into aluminium channel on four sides. The glass has to be wider than the internal edges of the frame to fit into those channels. Maybe it could be cut to a size that allows it to be fitted into the frame and shimmed into position so that it appears to be fully fitted into the frame, but you'd need to know the depth of the channels to do this.

Does your insurance not cover it, in which case just get a glazier to do the job, you will also need the replace the plastic insert that holds the glass pane in place.

Originally Posted by China

Does your insurance not cover it, in which case just get a glazier to do the job, you will also need the replace the plastic insert that holds the glass pane in place.

price of a piece of glass is $140, already got quote on rough size, insurance excess $1000 with good chance premium will increase after a claim. what one would you take?

Originally Posted by 419

If you're talking about an aluminium window with a fixed pane, I think you might need to disassemble the whole frame to put in new glass as the glass fits into aluminium channel on four sides. The glass has to be wider than the internal edges of the frame to fit into those channels. Maybe it could be cut to a size that allows it to be fitted into the frame and shimmed into position so that it appears to be fully fitted into the frame, but you'd need to know the depth of the channels to do this.

here are some pics, the actual glass is in a frame within the frame.

I can't be sure from the pictures but I think you might find that "inner frame" is actually made of infill channel pieces that pop out to allow for glass replacement. Some windows have these beads on the inside some on the outside and they are in turn held in place with a plastic spline forced between glass and bead. If you pull out the plastic spline it should be clear which pieces loosen up.

Going by my interpretation of your photos that particular window's fixed sash has its own aluminium frame which fits into channels of the main frame. The centre mullion which interlocks with the sliding sash may be fixed top and bottom by either rivet or screw or alternatively a snap in extrusion on the bottom and top of the main frame in either case the centre mullion has to be removed and then the fixed pane is removed then take to a glazier to fit new. Going by the age the glazing gasket/rubbers will be old and brittle and needs replacing, in addition the glass will be under size in thickness and any respectable glazier will fit glass to the required standard with new gaskets/rubbers.

Your photos lead me to think the windows are either very early Comalco or Boral

Originally Posted by rwbuild

Going by my interpretation of your photos that particular window's fixed sash has its own aluminium frame which fits into channels of the main frame. The centre mullion which interlocks with the sliding sash may be fixed top and bottom by either rivet or screw or alternatively a snap in extrusion on the bottom and top of the main frame in either case the centre mullion has to be removed and then the fixed pane is removed then take to a glazier to fit new. Going by the age the glazing gasket/rubbers will be old and brittle and needs replacing, in addition the glass will be under size in thickness and any respectable glazier will fit glass to the required standard with new gaskets/rubbers.

Your photos lead me to think the windows are either very early Comalco or Boral

yes correct pretty much, not sure of brand as very old. last one done the old glass was 3mm or something and could only be replaced with 4mm or something like that.
dont want to take out the fixed panel and take in as noone up here can do it in a day, want to measure up the glass and get cut to size and get new rubbers and do it myself. they will charge $400 to come out and do it and $140 for the glass cut to size for collection.
just dont want to get it cut under or oversize. is there a room for error in size for this thing if im a few mm out either way? do i just measure the glass on internal frame size and add a couple mm on each side or how does it work?

Pull apart, you should be able to see what size the existing glass is, use a temporary piece of hardiflex or ply as a pane and order new glass to suit, make sure you measure the channel size so the glass company can supply you with the correct glazing rubber/gasket.
If you give them the daylight size of the opening they will know how much extra to add and don't forget the 2 pieces of shock absorber rubber that goes in the bottom of the pane before fitting the glass