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In the recent winds we had an edge tile fall off the roof onto a roof glass of a bathroom "bay" window. (see the photos). It is about 6m high so to access the top of the glass panel I would need scaffold. It is too hot in this bathroom in summer with this glass panel so we keep it covered. I am thinking, instead of replacing the glass involving hiring scaffold, etc. I could simply silicon (or sykaflex) a sheet of aluminium up onto the glass panel and insulate under this. The broken glass is laminated and mostly just the top laminate is broken. The silicon will seal the cracks in the bottom sheet of glass so the panel would be water tight and the glass would supply support for the aluminium sheet, which is pretty light. I can add supports under the aluminium sheet also with about 2cm of polystyrene for insulation and fibre cement sheet to hold it all up. Any foreseeable problems or suggestions are very welcome.
My first thought was to remove the panel and repair it but I was told by a glass guy there are screw which need to be undone which can only be accessed from above. I will take a look from the roof when the wind dies down. I can access them if I remove the glass from below first, but I cannot replace them.
Thanks in advance
Hi @Russ42,
Since this is not safety glass, and even if it were, I would be very hesitant to offer any advice that might convince you to give this a crack yourself. I hear you that this is most likely the top layer of laminated glass, but the risk of injury is very high if something was to go wrong. If the second sheet were to fail whilst you were completing your project, you risk severe injury, and your safety is my number one priority. I'd encourage you to enlist the services of a professional glazier to at least assess the glass and let you know if it's stable enough to contemplate your idea of adding an aluminium sheet underneath. Until the glass is assessed, I'd recommend you isolate the area so no one can stand underneath.
This is certainly an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible; we just need to make sure that the "fix" is the correct and safe approach.
Mitchell
For some reason, my brain had decided they were large panes of glass, and that was an alcove that you could walk into @Russ42. I can now see that it's a small window nook, but even with the clear scale indicators, my mind still wants me to believe it's an extravagant walk-in glass-enclosed viewing area.
Your idea sounds quite reasonable, but working around glass, especially broken glass, is quite risky so I suggest you employ the services of a professional to complete this work for you.
Mitchell
Hi @Russ42
Having a frame hold the aluminium panel sounds like a good idea. In this manner even with the heat expansion the panel will stay in place. However, looking at it from a long-term point of view it's not an ideal solution. Water will eventually find a way through the cracked glass and once it comes into contact with the insulation it will deteriorate.
It's possible that you won't see any water come through your repair work, but above it the trapped moisture will begin to breed mould and mildew which will slowly find its way out and into your bathroom.
I suggest exploring the possibility of hiring someone who can put up scaffolding and replacing the glass. I propose posting the job on Airtasker or Hipages and see the kind of quotes you get for the job.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @TedBear and @JoeAzza for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Afternoon @Russ42
Ive been trying to come with another way of fixing the roof/window but really keep coming back to removing the broken glass and then following your aluminium panel. Id suggest a sheet of perspex but not sure how that would be (strength wise) and insulation wise all I can think of is those horizontal curtains like a concertina.
😕
Would love to see how you end up going tho 
Dave
