How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

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

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two 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 historical integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Use a wood chisel, or Replace window pane putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is best to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the 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 appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand Replace Window Pane the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from sucking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece in place. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, 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 safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they are hard to cut, place a hand tool such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of 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 be. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

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

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of a new one. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double glazing replacement window panes can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are placed under a glaze putty or bead that sets to form solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away 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 shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to the hardware 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.