How to replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the original character of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may work as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to break the existing window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone below the sash hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the glass Apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. Lightly sand replace Window Pane the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new window in the frame and press it into the frame with your hand. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, replace window pane then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as 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 safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut, place the hand tool, like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too closely.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. 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 in which the glass will sit. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window screen replacement pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue which hardens into a solid wedge which holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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 change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store 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.