How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an issue. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less bills.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your old home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can Replace Window Pane the window pane. In addition to a replacement window seals pane, the following components are required such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver may work in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and place someone on the sash in order to help hold it steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it into place firmly by using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, use the hand tool, like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heat tool, be careful to not scratch the sash or its railings.

Prepare the bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on each side So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep the water out. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact even windows with double glazing replacement window panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded to bare wood so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After the sanding process, replace window pane apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and have cut the glass 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.