How to replace window pane (125 141 133 blog entry) Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It can 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 tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace upvc window handle your single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your old home. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could work equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, replace window pane gently knead it until it is smooth 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 another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on 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 new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. 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 handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while 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 any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled 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 and the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to scratch the sash or its railings by holding the tool too close.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be around 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 both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window pane replacement can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the window's points.

Once you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any 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 the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to prolong its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine 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 changes. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will have cut the glass 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.