How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, replace Window Pane and preserve the historical integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair windows with ease. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are required: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work equally. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window sash. It is recommended to work using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to 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 into place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and Replace window pane sash however they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in place by using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush 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 handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to Replace Window Pane the original sash, remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too closely.

After the old glazing points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. It is crucial that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to complete this task easily and fast.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window replacements within the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the points.

After you have removed the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to prolong its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.