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How to Repair a Broken Shed Window
Published: 21/11/2018
Whether it’s the result of a wild storm or a stray football, a broken shed window doesn’t have to spell disaster for your garden building. You don’t need to call in a handyman or replace the entire shed. With a few basic tools and a bit of care, you can carry out a shed window replacement yourself.
Follow our step-by-step guide below to learn how to fix a broken shed window safely and effectively.
Tools & Equipment Needed for Fitting a New Shed Window
Before you start replacing a shed window, make sure you have all the right tools and materials to hand. You don’t need a huge toolkit, just a few essentials:
- Replacement window: Plastic (acrylic or perspex) or glass, cut to the correct size for your shed or garden building.
- Sealant and sealant gun: To ensure a watertight finish.
- Beading and panel pins: For securing the new pane in place.
- Hammer: To remove and reattach beading or pins.
- Screwdriver: Handy for prising off stubborn frames or fixtures.
- Utility knife: To cut away any old sealant or excess material.
- Protective gloves and safety goggles: Always wear these when handling glass.
- Tape measure: For checking the window opening before cutting or ordering your replacement pane.
Having these items ready will make the job quicker, cleaner, and safer.
Step 1 – Cover Your Broken Glass
Once a window breaks, act quickly to prevent leaks or further damage to your shed or garden room. Carefully remove any loose shards of glass while wearing gloves. Then, cover the opening securely with a waterproof material; a heavy-duty plastic bag, tarp, or wooden board will do the trick.
This temporary fix will protect the inside of your garden shed (or any outdoor building such as a summerhouse or log cabin) until your replacement window arrives.
Step 2 – Remove Window Framing & Broken Pane
Once your replacement pane is ready, it’s time to remove the damaged glass or perspex.
Remove the window frame: Using your screwdriver or claw hammer, gently prise away the beading or frame that holds the pane in place. Work slowly to avoid splitting the timber.
Take out the broken pane: Wearing gloves, carefully lift out any remaining glass or perspex. Dispose of the shards safely.
Clean and prep the frame: Scrape away any old sealant or debris with a utility knife to create a smooth surface for your new window.
Step 3 – Fitting the Replacement Window
Now you’re ready to fit the new pane.
Cut the new window to size: If it hasn’t already been pre-cut, measure the opening and cut your replacement sheet slightly smaller than the frame to allow for expansion.
Drop the new window in: Position the new glass or plastic sheet into the opening. Ensure it sits evenly within the frame.
Secure in place: Using beading and pins, or just panel pins, fix the pane firmly all the way around. Hammer gently to avoid cracking the material.
We also have a handy how-to video on installing an opening shed window, which you can watch here to see the process in action.
Step 4 – Sealing Your New Window
To finish the job, it’s important to seal your new window to prevent water ingress.
Apply sealant: Run a smooth, even bead of exterior-grade sealant around the edges of the frame from the outside.
Check for gaps: Make sure the sealant fully covers any joins where air or moisture could enter.
Allow to dry: Leave the sealant to cure fully before exposing the area to rain or cleaning the window.
Once sealed, your shed or garden building will be watertight, secure, and ready to enjoy again — no leaks, no drafts, and no worries.
Watch our video guide on how to seal shed windows for a simple, step-by-step visual demonstration of the process.
Step 5 – How to Fit Shed Window Beading
You can also follow our step-by-step installation video guide to see exactly how to fit window beading to your shed like a pro. This clear, easy-to-follow tutorial walks you through the process visually, helping you complete the job quickly and with confidence.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to replace a shed window is simpler than it sounds, and it’s a great way to save money while extending the life of your garden building. With just a few tools and an hour or two of your time, you can fix a shed window and have your space looking as good as new.
If your shed windows have seen better days, it might also be worth exploring our full range of garden sheds, log cabins, and summerhouses, all crafted in Yorkshire and built to last.
