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 improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for only 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If your single-pane windows are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can Replace Window Pane a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following items are required such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Once you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch 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. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty, knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry completely and cure.

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up 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 tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, replacement windows prices can be replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heat tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in 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, wipe the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for Replace window pane a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand 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 the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and have cut the glass for you.

Now, replace window Pane 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.