Replacing glass in a greenhouse

[Paulines7]

I wonder if someone can help me please with this problem.  Two of the top panes of glass in the greenhouse have nasty cracks in them where an overhanging branch of a tree hit them in a gale during the winter.  The tree has since been cut back severely but I am left with the problem of replacing the glass and do not want either of them to act as a guillotine and behead me.  :(

The two panes are adjacent and right up at the apex.  They are held in by small clips which are attached to the next pane down and clips at the side in the actual frame.  Will I have to get the panes out by removing the two beneath them first?  My OH suggests we take the end pane out at the top then we can put our head through the gap using the step ladder and get the broken ones out as they are next but one from the end.  Whichever was we go, it terrifies me.   :o

[Paulines7]

[growmore]

The top panes are usually the last to go in, so the first to come out so no you wont have to remove the panes under them to get them out...
If they are clean cracks and running across glass and not up it  using a good line of clear  silicone  across crack inside  of pane and on outside of pane should secure them ...  ..Cheers ..Jim

[TEL]

If you cant reach the glass safely then your O H idea is a good one

[glow777]

If you go to a car part shop you can get see throught tape use to hold cracked window panes together. Placed over the crack it will stop the pane falling in - its also good for covering any gaps where you could have little corners missing or have cut the glass yourself and cut it slightly too small!

cant remember its exact name

[katynewbie]

:o

I know how scary it looks Pauline, I was terrified when I had to replace glass the other week. If I understand the question correctly, I think it will be easier than you think. I would do this:

1. Remove side "w" clips from outside, you may need pliers.
2. Having done that you can push the broken bit out from the inside and person outside removes it.
3. Put new piece in and replace "w" clips.

Done.
Hope this helps. K

[sarah]

Last summer I was relaxing in the garden  and all of a sudden a plum fell off the plum tree and broke a pane of glass in the roof of my greenhouse. It crashed to the floor inside slicing up a tomato plant as it went :o A valueable lesson learned by me to move the green house and or make sure the plum tree is kept in check! Goodluck with that job Pauline, take care and wear gloves.

[Paulines7]

Thanks everyone for your kind advice.  First we thought we would apply the silicone that growmore recommended then if we still don't think it will hold, go and get the transparent tape that glow777 suggested.  This should hold until the season has finished and all the plants are out.  We can then go about replacing the glass and give everything a darn good clean to clear out all the moss etc.   :D 

These panes cannot be reached easily and safely and the crack in one is nasty so we will use my OH's suggestion of taking the end pane out first as also recommended by Tel.  We will use Katynewbie's method of taking out the glass and wear gloves as recommended by sarah.

So there we have it, you have all contributed to my query so thank you all very much.   ;D ;D

I took these pics tonight that shows the window that has the worst crack.  I hope it doesn't get me before we have the silicon and tape....aarrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

[telboy]

I reckon that pane will be safe for the season as both broken sections have support.
Good luck with replacement, you should be able to take all the glass out for a good clean/moss removal. Replace any rusty clips, stainless ones are available now.

[Paulines7]

Thanks Telboy,  I believe the clips are aluminium as they haven't gone rusty so we may not need to replace them.  I think I will still put silicon and tape over the worst crack just in case.  When I am inside and looking up at it, I can see daylight between the crack.  The other crack is very much smaller and is right in the corner.   :D