How to replace Window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less bills.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing windows is easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may work equally. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the existing window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for replace Window pane the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take 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 have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame however they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center, and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, use the hand tool, like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heat tool, make sure to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been 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. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in 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 from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double glazed replacement windows-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fastened 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 pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window replacement panes opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement store and have the glass cut for replace window pane 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.