How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a fraction of what it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace a window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the current window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to hold it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be too loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any remnants clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly using your hands. Use the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to install your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel, use an instrument such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heat tool, make sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Create the bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it in the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank when you do it yourself. In fact, replace window pane even a double-pane window glass replacement can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" that keep the window in within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge which holds the window in place and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to the 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.