So yesterday I noticed a pretty nasty crack in my bedroom window (no idea how it got there, probably the neighbor kids playing ball again 🙄). Anyway, can't really afford to replace it right now, so I'm looking at quick fixes. I've seen people use clear packing tape, plastic wrap, even heard someone mention nail polish (???) to keep it from spreading.
Figured I'd throw up a quick poll to see what most of you guys prefer or have tried yourselves:
- Clear packing tape
- Plastic wrap or sheeting
- Nail polish or glue
- Cardboard or plywood
- Something else entirely (share below!)
Personally leaning towards tape since it's easy and I already have some lying around, but um... not sure how well it'll hold up if we get rain or wind. Curious if anyone's had luck with other methods or if there's something obvious I'm missing here.
Tape's your best bet if it's temporary—used it myself a few times. Just make sure to apply it on both sides of the crack if possible... helps keep moisture out better. Nail polish never worked for me, honestly.
Tape can definitely work short-term, especially if you're careful about sealing both sides like you mentioned. But honestly, if you're looking at something that'll hold up a bit better until you can replace the glass, I'd suggest clear packing tape combined with some plastic sheeting. Here's how I'd do it:
First, clean around the crack gently—just wipe away dust or dirt so the tape sticks better. Then apply clear packing tape directly over the crack on both sides of the window pane if you can reach it safely. After that, cut a piece of thick plastic sheeting (like painter's plastic or even a heavy-duty garbage bag in a pinch) slightly larger than the cracked area. Tape this plastic securely around all edges to create an extra moisture barrier.
I've found this combo holds up pretty well against rain and wind for a while—definitely better than nail polish or regular tape alone. Still temporary, but it'll buy you more time until you're ready for a proper fix.
That's actually a pretty solid method. I've done something similar myself when my garage window took a hit from a rogue soccer ball (thanks, kids...). Clear packing tape alone was okay-ish, but adding the plastic sheeting really made a noticeable difference, especially during rainy days. One thing I'd add—if you have any silicone caulk lying around, running a thin bead along the edges of the plastic can help seal things up even better. It's not pretty, but it does the job.
Honestly, temporary fixes like these are underrated. Sure, they're not perfect, but they save you from rushing into an expensive repair before you're ready. And hey, if it holds up through a couple storms, that's practically DIY gold right there. Good luck with the fix, sounds like you've got this covered.