How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window handles replacement pane can be a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can take on yourself for 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 old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to 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 the width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane into the right place. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost to replace windows uk of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. 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 comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Make use of the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color in time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heating tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water from getting in. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might 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. Even a Double Glazing Replacement Windows-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, Double glazing replacement windows ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. 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 seasonal change. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop 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.