How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver may work in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is recommended to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass Apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane in its place. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other residue, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, make sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, nearest you'll need to apply putty to keep the water out. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It will not create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. In fact, even a replacement double glazed windows-pane window can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost to replace windows uk of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window pane. To do this, place the pane inside the frame and move it around until a 1/16 inch of putty remains between the edge of the glass and the sash on all four sides. Use a putty knife to smear the putty evenly, making sure that there isn't an excessive amount of excess putty in the corners and along the edges. When the putty dries, it can be painted with the same color as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.