How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to benefit from greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. The replacement of a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are required: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be useful equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone lower to hold it steady.

Prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it into the frame with your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from soaking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window. The majority of windows replacement can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heat tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Make a bed for Replace Window Pane your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it costs an expert.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to complete this task easily and quick.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails", holding the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. They 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 the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. 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 in times of seasonal change. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will have 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.