How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your home's older. The process of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work as well. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is a good idea to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to seal it against weather. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand window replacement companies the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in place with your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as illustrated 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 beneath that lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from sucking 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 putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window replacement pane to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, which is often 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 protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heating gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or 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 for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to damage the railings or sash by using the tool too close.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact, even a double-pane window replacement companies can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

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

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will have a piece 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.