How to Replace 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 enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your older home. The replacement of windows is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require a replacement window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can be used equally. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and replaced slow, taking care not to break the current window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for replaced seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to have an item cut from stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into its place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next, making sure 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. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into place firmly by using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, 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 with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the 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 frame's perimeter.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into place by a small 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 using a rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. 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 any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heat tool, be careful to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

After the old glazing points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost for a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fastened to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware 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.