How to replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. The procedure of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require a replacement window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may 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.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers but flathead screwdrivers can work in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is a good idea to work using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it in place.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be tight enough to create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next 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 into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line 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 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. Let it dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from taking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, replace window Pane or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash window replacement, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heat tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep the water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form a solid seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to 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. To get the exact size 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 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.