How to fix broken glass and a worn-out operator.
Time 1 hour or less
ComplexityBeginner
Introduction
Jalousie window and operator replacement is easy. Special order the glass and buy replacement hardware online or at hardware stores.
Jalousie windows are an older style of window consisting of multiple panes of glass that can be cranked open or closed. When it breaks, you may have to repair the glass panes or the crank operator itself.
Putting in a new piece of jalousie window glass is an easy, straight forward fix. However, because the glass is thicker than standard glass and has polished edges, it usually has to be special-ordered from glass companies or hardware stores. Bring exact glass dimensions and a chunk of the broken glass to get the right thickness.
Jalousie window operators can fail because of worn-out gears, corrosion or lack of lubrication. First try cleaning and applying silicone lubricant to all the moving parts. If that doesn’t help, the only fix is to replace them. Jalousie windows and doors are no longer being made, but replacement hardware for most types is still available, either at hardware stores or on the Internet.
Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
Materials Required
- New window operator
- Silicone lubricant
- Window glass
Project step-by-step (4)
Step 1
Glass Window Repair
Remove the old glass
Remove the setscrews in the metal housing at each end of the glass, then take out the metal wedges that hold the glass. Hold on to the setscrews—they’re tiny and disappear instantly if dropped. Carefully pull the broken glass out when the wedges are out.
Step 2
Install the new glass
Clean any dirt and corrosion out of the metal housing at the ends, then slide in the new glass. Set the new glass into place, push the wedges back in, then lock them into place with the setscrews.
Step 3
Repair the Window Operator
Remove the old operator
For easier access, first take out the glass pane by the broken operator. Remove the screws that hold the operator in place, then disengage the stay bar (the bar that controls the window movement) and the operator arm. Push the stay bar pivot pin out of the operator arm by pushing a screwdriver through the hole in the stay bar.
Step 4
Install the new operator
Guide the pivot pin back into the new operator arm, then screw the operator to the frame. Then put the glass pane back in.
To keep the window working smoothly, periodically clean out dirt and debris from the track and pivots with compressed air or a vacuum and spray all moving parts with silicone lubricant.
