How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window pane (http://fpcom.co.Kr/bbs/board.php?Bo_table=free&wr_id=21508) windows with ease. You will also require an extra replacement window handle pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is best to work using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

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

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of replacement windows uk of purchasing new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any remnants, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements 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 that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it into the frame by using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife 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 shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove 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 work out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. When using a heating tool, make sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty on each side If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will require putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of replacing it. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast with the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty that sets to form a solid wedge that holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of 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 you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to the hardware or Replace Window Pane home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.