How to Replace Window Panes

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

It's a project you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can Replace window handle the window pane. You'll also require a replacement window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, but a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window replacement cost uk sash. Work slowly and carefully. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone lower to keep it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any remnants clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit, Replace window handle and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in using your hands. Use the chisel's point or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on 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.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be easily 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, often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun to soften them first. When using a heating tool, make sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Create a 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 placed. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with a rag and 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 be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be worried about the expense of a new one. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

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

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the points.

After you have removed the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. They should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. 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. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and 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.